Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- IDE Technologies Ltd., a joint venture between Israel Chemicals Ltd. and Delek Group Ltd., won a $100 million contract build a desalination plant in Australia, daily newspaper Haaretz reported.

The facility will be used by an iron ore mine company in Pilbara, Australia to supply 51 million cubic meters a year, the newspaper said, without citing anyone.

The construction of the desalination plant will start in 2008, and the mine will start production the following year, Haaretz said.

A spokeswoman at IDE refused to comment on the news report.

IDE, Israel's biggest water-desalination company, postponed its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange because of ``global market conditions'' last month.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tal Barak in Tel Aviv at tbarak@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 30, 2007 10:32 EST