Elemental Minerals (ASX:ELM) is building momentum at its potash projects at the Sintoukola Potash Project in the Republic of Congo with key fieldwork commencing on schedule for delivery of feasibility studies.
At Kola project, a cored borehole at the shaft site will provide data for the shaft design for the Bankable Feasibility Study.
This shallow high grade sylvinite mineral reserve already sits at 152 million tonnes grading 31.7% KCl.
While at Dougou, a planned drill hole is anticipated to intersect 35 metres of high grade carnallitite, which amazingly has been the norm for this deposit. This will assist in mine design for the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study.
It could also see an increase in the Measured and Indicated Resource, which currently stands at 1.1 billion tonnes grading 20.6% KCl, including 311 million tonnes grading 24.6% within the Hangingwall Seam (HWS).
The start of fieldwork puts the studies on track for completion; by end Q2 2016 for Dougou PFS and Q3 2016 for Kola DFS.
Drill rigs are now on site, the preparation of access roads and drill sites is complete and the mobilisation of crews and testwork equipment underway.
John Sanders, chief executive officer, commented:
“The start of the fieldwork on schedule, keeps us on track for the delivery of the Kola BFS and Dougou PFS, the outcomes of which are anticipated to reflect the unparalleled combination of the high grade, large size mineral resource on the property with the added benefit of low cost of energy and excellent location of these projects.
“The Kola drill hole will assist with the detailed design of the shaft which is to allow access to the shallow high-grade sylvinite reserves.
“At Dougou, we are confident that the planned drill hole should intersect 35 metres of high grade carnallitite which has been the norm for this deposit. For the Dougou ESIA, SRK will build on the high quality work already completed for Kola to ensure that environmental and social baselines are established to the highest international standards.”
Delivery of the studies is likely to reflect a rare combination of high grade, large size mineral resource on the property with the added benefit of low cost of energy and the location of these projects.
Elemental has term sheets in place with globally significant companies operating within the fertilizer sector to make a significant investment in the company.