PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Junior Minbos Resources is evaluating the production of yellow phosphorous as part of its emerging new energy materials business.
Minbos is developing the Cabinda phosphate project in Angola, and was recently granted a key environmental approval licence for its construction activities in the region.
A definitive feasibility study estimated that the project would require a capital investment of $48.5-million based on a 187 500 t/y operating capacity, delivering 236 000 t/y of fertilizer over a project life of 20 years, based on a maiden ore reserve of 4.72-million tonnes at 30.1% phosphates at the Cácata Phosphate mine.
Minbos said on Tuesday that Angola’s competitive commercial electricity tariff, economic free zones and proximity to European markets had ensured the company was approached by numerous potential project partners in the anode, cathode and industrial chemical industries about producing a yellow phosphorous product in Angola.
The company is engaging with its syndicate of investors on the potential yellow phosphorous project development and technical review to develop a new energy material business, with the syndicate confirming the Cabinda phosphate rock would be suitable for yellow phosphorous production.
The study into the potential production of yellow phosphorous is expected to take ten weeks to complete.