Highlights:
- Completion of test work programs indicate significant potential CAPEX and OPEX savings to be gained through process improvements and production efficiencies
- Optimal run of mine rate of 3Mtpy established for production of 300ktpy phosphate concentrate
- Focus on mining high-grade oxidized ore in initial years of operation
- Optimizations to crushing circuit, milling circuit, flotation circuit, filtration all expected to result in CAPEX and OPEX reductions
- Market study confirms no further processing required to produce commercial aglime suitable for local consumption as a by-product from phosphate production
- BFS targeted for completion March 2018
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazilian fertilizer developer Aguia Resources Limited (ASX:AGR)(TSXV:AGRL) (“Aguia” or “Company”) is pleased to update shareholders on the progress of the Bankable Feasibility Study (“BFS”) for its Três Estradas Phosphate Project in southern Brazil, and confirms that the BFS is on track for completion in or around March 2018.
Several important test work programs have been successfully completed, including: a column flotation commercial scale pilot plant program at Eriez - Pennsylvania, crushing and grinding test work at Metso – Brazil, solid-liquid separation of flotation concentrate and tailings at Pocock Industrial Inc. – Utah and geotechnical drilling and test work for foundation design with Prosonda, Brazil.
These recent results have delivered the information necessary to define the process flow diagrams, mass and energy balance, and most importantly, allow the Aguia engineering team to finalize the trade-off studies. The most significant results include:
- Confirmation of the optimal run of mine (ROM) rate at 3Mtpy with production of phosphate concentrate capped at 300ktpy.
- Validation of the phased approach to mine the higher grade oxidized ore in the initial years of the operation at a scale of approximately 1.4 Mtpy of ROM, with a process recovery of 87%, producing 300ktpy of phosphate concentrate grading 35% P2O5.
- Optimization of the crushing and grinding circuit for the initial phase of mining and processing the high-grade oxidized ore. The comminution test work at Metso shows that the oxidized ore is relatively soft (bond work index of approximately 5 kWh/t) and as such can be processed with an optimized sizer instead of the jaw crusher that was envisioned in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) (see announcement of July 12, 2016). This circuit improvement is expected to result in capital and operational cost savings in the oxide crushing circuit.
- Comminution test work at Metso also allowed the design of an optimized milling circuit for the oxide phase, which will employ only one rod mill for grinding with a capacity of 1.4Mtpy. This approach is anticipated to significantly reduce the capital and operating costs of the milling circuit compared to the 4.5Mtpy capacity SAG mill that was planned in the PEA.
- The recent results of the commercial scale pilot plant program developed at Eriez allowed the optimization of the flotation circuit in the oxide phase which will require only four columns, two roughers and two cleaners (see announcement of October 5, 2017). This will result in further capital and operational cost savings.
- Filtration test work developed at Pocock demonstrated that press-filtering of the phosphate concentrate prior to drying will allow a significant reduction of the size of the drying unit. This represents further savings on the drying operational costs that will also be significantly reduced by using locally sourced thermal coal instead of diesel as contemplated in the PEA.
- A market study has demonstrated that no further processing is required to produce commercial aglime from the tailings of the phosphate flotation circuit to meet local consumption requirements. This simplification of the circuit will result in further capital and operational cost savings while providing an ongoing secondary revenue stream from production.
- Filtration tests of the aglime conducted at Pocock demonstrate that press-filtering alone should dewater the aglime to achieve commercial specifications. This simplification will introduce significant capex and opex savings, particularly when compared to the 1Mtpy capacity dryer that was contemplated in the PEA.
Finally, the entire data set that was produced in this extensive program will support the engineering team in the equipment design and general arrangements of the processing units. In the coming weeks, Aguia’s engineering team will be working on the mine plan parameters in parallel with defining the processing plant and infrastructure requirements.
Aguia´s Head of Engineering Guilherme Jácome commented, “These crucial test work results and trade-off studies have provided us with precise information that allows us to implement material improvements to the entire production and process design at Três Estradas. We expect that the result will be a more efficient and competitive production facility that will cost materially less to build and operate than we envisioned a year ago when we completed the PEA.”
Managing Director Justin Reid added, “Our technical team’s diligence in gathering and carefully analysing each crucial component of the Três Estradas design will ultimately contribute to optimal project economics. With the BFS now entering its final phase, we are moving closer to our ultimate objective of becoming the only phosrock producer in southern Brazil."
“We expect a steady flow of corporate and operational updates through to the release of the completed BFS which is on track for March 2018. While Três Estradas continues to be our main focus, we continue early stage exploration programs on adjacent properties we optioned last year. All have compelling geological characteristics, and it is our intention to assess these more fully. We believe these assets could hold considerable value that is yet to be fully realised.”
Accompanying this release is a table illustrating the status of important milestones to finalize the BFS. Aguia will progressively update this chart through to the BFS being published.
BFS Progress Update
| Milestone | Status | Outcome |
| Infill Drilling Program | Complete |
|
| Trade Off Studies | Complete |
|
| Mine Site Revision | Complete |
|
| Pilot Plant Testing | Complete |
|
| Comminution Tests | Complete |
|
| Filtration Tests | Complete |
|
| Aglime Market Study | Complete |
|
| Equipment Design and Specifications | Ongoing |
|
| Mine Plan Parameters | Ongoing |
|
| Infrastructure Requirements | Ongoing |
|
| Capex / Opex | Pending |
|
| Phosrock marketing study | Pending |
|
| Final BFS Report | Pending |
|
Qualified Person
The technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Fernando Tallarico, who is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, Technical Director for Aguia and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Tallarico consents to the inclusion of his name in the release.
For further information, please contact:
Justin Reid, Managing Director
E: jreid@aguiaresources.com.au
T: +1 416-216-5446
Spyros Karellas, Investor Relations North America
E: spyros@pinnaclecapitalmarkets.ca
T: +1 416-433-5696
Released through: Ben Jarvis, Six Degrees Investor Relations: +61 413 150 448
Follow Aguia on Twitter: @ Aguia_Resources
About Aguia:
Aguia Resources Limited, (“Aguia”) is an ASX and TSXV listed company whose primary focus is on the exploration and development of phosphate projects in Brazil. Aguia has an established and highly experienced in-country team based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil with corporate offices in Sydney, Australia. Aguia’s key projects are located in Rio Grande do Sul, a prime farming area which is 100% dependent on phosphate imports. The Rio Grande phosphate deposits exhibit high quality and low cost production characteristics, and are ideally located with proximity to road, rail, and port infrastructure. Aguia’s experienced management team has a proven track record of advancing high quality mining assets to production in Brazil.
The information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Targets, Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Dr. Fernando Tallarico, who is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario. Dr. Tallarico is a full-time employee of the company. Dr. Tallarico has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Dr. Tallarico consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and Australian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the results of the trade-off study and other studies, the progress of the BFS, the metallurgical results, production targets, the anticipated timetable, permitting, forecast financial information, and ability to finance the project, and the prospectivity and potential of the Tres Estradas project.
Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The material factors and assumptions underlying the forward‑looking information of the Mineral Resource Statement results have been outlined above and will be detailed in the associated technical report.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks inherent in the mining industry and risks described in the public disclosure of the Company which is available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on the ASX website at www.asx.com.au and on the Company's website at www.aguiaresouces.com.au. These risks should be considered carefully.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Persons reading this news release are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and there can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements whether as a result of new information, estimates, options, future events, results or otherwise and does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
NEITHER THE AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE, TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.