AMN: the Ugly Duckling of SOP potash

today, AMN announced hydrogeological model estimates a steady-state brine flow of 2,150 litres per second; equivalent to a brine production rate of 68,000,000m3 per year; via trenching networks (as opposed to bores), a technique employed by most brine potash operations elsewhere in the world.

the AMN SOP grade is 8.25kg/m3, 40% lower than RWD's 13.7kg/m3 but similar to SO4's 8.7kg/m3

in an old presentation, RWD used a recovery factor from brine of 56%

68,000,000m3 per year x  8.25kg/m3 x 56% recovery = 314,160tpa production; say 300ktpa

the AMN SOP ore appears to be purer than RWD's in terms of SO4:K ratio

transport costed at $141/t plus $14M in road & port upgrades (18/3/15)

mine infrastructure should cost the same as RWDs' scoping study (2 April 2015) since brine quantum is the same - $100M; roads & port say $20M; process plant for 300tpa say $75m (80% of RWD); other say $70M. total $265M

OPEX per RWD - $111/t for mining (66% more due to lower grade) + $132/t processing plus $5/t admin = $250/t

looks OK (apart from a mining agreement with Kiwirrkurra people & Tjamu Tjamu not signed yet)