JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Eritrea-focused potash exploration company South Boulder Mines expected its final tranche of baseline submissions for its one-billion-ton Colluli potash project to be completed and submitted in the second quarter, while expecting the results from its prefeasibility study (PFS) to be released by month-end.

The ASX-listed company said on Tuesday that it had submitted the second tranche of environmental baseline assessments to the Eritrean Ministry of Energy and Mines for the mine, situated 75 km from the coast and 180 km from Eritrea’s main port for shipping to the world’s largest potash growth markets.

The baseline assessments were outlined in the terms of reference for the project’s environmental requirements established between the Eritrean Ministry of Environment and South Boulder.

These assessments, including on noise, air quality, mine waste characterisation and birds, were completed by STB Eritrea personnel, along with environmental consultants MBS Environmental and WKC.

Mine waste characterisation work was completed using data from the most recent drilling campaign on site.

Feedback had also been received on the first tranche of baseline assessments submitted in August 2014. No material issues had been identified from the work carried out to date.

The final tranche of baseline assessments still outstanding would include oceanography, marine wildlife and habitat, hydrogeology, and hydrology and climate.

“We are pleased to have completed and submitted our second tranche of baseline assessments and to have received positive feedback on the first tranche we submitted in August 2014,” South Boulder MD Paul Donaldson said. 

“Having all of the baseline assessments completed and submitted well ahead of the definitive feasibility study will ensure that we reduce the duration of the approval process for the mining licence application.

“We are in the final stages of completing the PFS for the production of potassium sulphate with study results being completed in February 2015. Metallurgical optimisation testwork and pilot studies are continuing for the definitive feasibility study,” he added.