Name of the Project
Três Estradas phosphate project.

Location
Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.

Project Owner/s
Aguia Resources.

Project Description
Aguia is planning to produce 306 000 t/y of Pampafos (the company’s natural phosphate fertiliser) from the site over an 18-year mine life.

The project will be an openpit and shovel operation.

The processing plant layout will include a primary crusher and six secondary hammer mills. After milling, the product will be transported to the warehouse using a conveyor belt and tripper car system.

There will be no need for a tailings dam.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a post-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$70.4-million and an internal rate of return of 61%, with a payback of 2.6 years.

Capital Expenditure
A$7.37-million, and A$8.11-million with contingency.

Planned Start/End Date
First production is expected in the first quarter of 2022.

Latest Developments
Aguia Resources has announced a A$3.75-million loan from the Development Bank of Southern Brazil (BRDE) to fund the Três Estradas phosphate project.

Combined with the A$4.48-million that Aguia has in the bank, the company now has sufficient capital to fund the A$7.37-million capital expenditure for the construction of the project.

“BRDE’s funding support is a major vote of confidence in Três Estradas and a key milestone that we have met to deliver the project into production,” MD Fernando Tallarico has said.

The 20-year loan will have an interest rate of 12% a year attached to it.

Aguia is in the final stages of project land acquisition, which will pave the way for the installation licence. Following the receipt of the licence, construction will take between six and eight months.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Aguia Resources +61 2 9299 9690 or email info@aguiaresources.com.au.