SYDNEY, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --
Summary
- Initial JORC compliant in-pit inferred resource of 21Mt @
4.6% P2O5 (Note 1) including higher grade oxide zone
from surface of 1.8Mt @ 10.9% P2O5
- Tres Estradas initial inferred resource estimate is derived
from shallow auger holes and 19 core holes drilled to 100
metres depth over a length of 1,160 metres
- Significant potential to expand resource with additional
drilling below 100 metres and along the carbonatite zone which
extends for an additional length of 1,400 metres
- Overall grade and preliminary metallurgical results are
similar to carbonatite hosted open-cut operating mines in
Brazil and globally that are
presently mined to depths of 220 metres (Siilinjarvi, Finland) and 375 metres (Cajati, Brazil)
- Project scoping exercise to commence shortly to produce a
concentrated rock phosphate product
Emerging phosphate and potash exploration and development
company Aguia Resources Limited (ASX: AGR) ("Aguia" or "Company")
is pleased to announce its initial JORC compliant in-pit inferred
resource estimate from the Tres Estradas ("TE") phosphate project
in southern Brazil.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120614/HK24889 )
The Company commissioned leading independent global consulting
company SRK Consulting to prepare the initial Mineral Resource
Statement. The summary report including competent person's
statement is attached to this release.
Aguia's Managing Director, Simon
Taylor, said: "This initial resource estimate represents a
significant new phosphate discovery with characteristics similar to
existing producers in Brazil. It
represents the initial results based on limited drilling of the
Tres Estradas phosphate project to date. Importantly, the grade and
mineralogy is similar to that of other operating mines globally
including Yara's Siilinjarvi mine in Finland and Vale's Cajati mine in Brazil, both of which produce a high quality
concentrate from phosphate within carbonatite host rocks."
Table 1: Comparative
Phosphate (P2O5) Deposits Within Carbonitite Hosted Rocks
(Note 2)
|
Name of
Deposit
|
Location
|
Tonnage
(Mt)
|
Head
Grade
|
Recovery
|
Concentration
Grade
|
Stage
|
Siilinjarvi
(Yara)
|
Finland
|
465
|
4%
|
84%
|
35%
|
Production
|
Cajati (Vale)
|
Brazil
|
100
|
5%
|
78%
|
36%
|
Production
|
Tres Estradas
(Aguia)
|
Brazil
|
21 (Note 3)
|
4.6%
|
76%
|
28% (Note 4)
|
Exploration /
Development
|
"Furthermore, first pass beneficiation test work from the higher
grade oxide zone has already confirmed commercial concentrate
grades up to 34% P2O5 (refer ASX Release 22nd May 2012) supporting future project
development opportunities including early start up," added Mr
Taylor.
Aguia's Brazilian based Technical Director, Dr Fernando Tallarico, added: "We have only drilled
nineteen holes so far on the Tres Estradas project and we will look
to materially expand the resource over the next 6-12 months. When
considered with the positive results of the initial metallurgical
test work, which is comparable to the above mentioned deposits, we
believe that the TE project has the potential to develop into a
robust operation."
Near Term Focus
Following the release of today's positive initial JORC compliant
resource, the Company will be accelerating its efforts to
commercialise the Tres Estradas phosphate project.
Aguia has commenced further phosphate beneficiation optimisation
test work. A combination of step-out drilling to expand the
resource and in-fill drilling to reclassify the resource to an
indicated and measured category will commence as soon as approvals
are received for the southern tenement application.
On confirmation of further positive results, Aguia intends on
commencing a project scoping exercise.
Notes:
- SRK Consulting: cut-off grade of 3.0% of P2O5
- JSA Consultoria e Assessoria Tecnica, Company data
- Inferred resource calculated from 40% of potential target
length and to 100 metres depth
- Based on preliminary beneficiation test work, optimisation test
work underway
About Aguia
Aguia is focused on the exploration and development of phosphate
and potash projects in Brazil.
Brazil is Latin America's biggest economy and is heavily
reliant on imports of up to 50 per cent of its phosphate and 90 per
cent of its potash needs. Aguia is well positioned to capitalise on
the growing demand for phosphorus and potash based fertilisers in
the expanding agriculture sector in Brazil and controls three large projects,
located close to existing infrastructure. The Company is committed
to its existing projects whilst continuing to pursue other
opportunities within the fertiliser sector.
JORC Code Competent Person Statements
The Tres Estradas Phosphate Project has a current JORC
compliant inferred mineral resource of 21.33Mt @ 4.63% P2O5 (total
initial contained phosphate of 0.99Mt P2O5).
The information in this report that relates to 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 Aguia Resources Limited. Dr Tallarico has
sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of
mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the
activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person
as defined in the 2004 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves ("JORC Code"). Dr Tallarico consents to the inclusion in
this report of the matters based on his information in the form and
context in which it appears.
For further
information, please contact:
|
Simon
Taylor
|
David
Loch
|
Managing
Director
|
Unicus Investor &
Media Relations
|
Tel: +61 2 9210
1332
|
Tel: +61 3 9654 8300 /
+61 411 144 787
|
Email:
staylor@aguiaresources.com.au
|
Email:
david@unicusgroup.com.au
|
SOURCE Aguia Resources Limited