VANCOUVER (miningweekly.com) – Project developer Arianne Phosphate has received a C$1.5-million grant from the Quebec ministry of energy and natural resources for its Lac a Paul apatite project.
The funding is part of the province’s plan to support the new local phosphate industry.
Last month, Quebec made an equity investment of C$1.4-million in Arianne, adding momentum to the project’s development progress.
The Saguenay, Quebec-based firm advised that it will use the funds for concentrate production, and to conduct additional pilot-scale tests.
Arianne advised on Tuesday that it will produce additional high-purity phosphate concentrate to be sent to potential customers.
The company conducted pilot-scale tests at the Consortium for the Treatment and Processing of Mineral Substances in November 2017, when a 15 t bulk sample was processed to a grade of 39% phosphorous pentoxide.
“Demand continues to grow on the part of potential customers. Many of those interested have already received product samples and are now asking for even larger volumes to carry out large-scale tests in their own facilities,” COO Jean-Sébastien David stated.
He also pointed out that legislative changes in Europe regarding cadmium content in phosphate entering the EU and supply disruptions out of certain phosphate-producing regions have continued to push new requests for Arianne’s concentrate.