Australian diversified explorer Centrex Metals’ (ASX:CXM) has commenced mining and crushing of two 400 tonne run of mine ore samples from its Ardmore Phosphate Rock Project (“Ardmore”), located south of Mt Isa in north-west Queensland, with the samples to be shipped to two customers in the region as paid trials for the production of single superphosphate (“SSP”).
Importantly for Centrex, the customers will pay for the shipments based on current market rates for full scale shipments.
Commenting on the commencement of the paid trials Centrex managing director and CEO Ben Hammond said: “The clean premium-grade concentrate we are able to produce with ultra-low cadmium levels is proving to be a sought-after product.
The paid trials follow the signing of a non-binding MOU with GSFC (Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited) last week for a potential 300,000 tonnes of supply annually,” he added.
The Ardmore project, recognised as one of the few remaining undeveloped high-grade phosphate rock deposits in the world. is shallow, with the company intending to use an open-cut strip mining operation. Following the crushing stage, Centrex will look to remove impurities, such as fine grained clay to produce a premium-grade concentrate.
Centrex is currently completing a Feasibility Study on the Ardmore project, which is due for completion in mid-2018.
