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Sulphur 418 May-Jun 2025

3 May 2025

Ammaroo phosphate project secures key mineral leases

Ammaroo phosphate project secures key mineral leases

Verdant Minerals says it has been granted two key productive mineral leases for its Ammaroo Phosphate Project by the Northern Territory government. The company says that this significant milestone advances one of the world’s largest undeveloped phosphate resources, located about 220km southeast of Tennant Creek. Acting Chief Minister and Minister for Mining and Energy, Gerard Maley, stated, “This is a significant milestone in progressing a world-class resource project that will support jobs, drive investment, and strengthen the NT’s position as a leader in resource development.”

The project promises approximately 400 construction jobs and 250 operational jobs, driving local economic benefits and supporting global agricultural productivity. Verdant Minerals is nearing the final stages of securing its mining authorisation, which will enable construction to commence. Verdant Minerals Managing Director, Chris Tziolis, expressed appreciation for the NT Government’s support, emphasizing the project’s crucial role in regional economic growth.

Ammaroo is estimated to contain measured, indicated and inferred resources of more than one billion tonnes of phosphate ore (P2O5 ), making it Australia’s largest phosphate resource. It is expected to ultimately produce around 2 million t/a of phosphate concentrate. Further processing will yield 500,000 t/a of merchant-grade phosphoric acid (100% P2O5 ) and 200,000 t/a of ammonia, which will be used to produce around 1 million t/a of ammonium phosphate fertilisers such as di-ammonium phosphate and mono-ammonium phosphate.

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Feedstock allocation for fourth phosphate plant

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) says that the Ministry of Energy has approved the allocation of feedstock for its fourth phosphate project. This project aims to produce approximately 1.1 million t/a of ammonia and increase the production of phosphate and specialty fertilizers by about 2.5 million t/a, raising the company’s total production capacity to nearly 12 million t/a. This will further solidify Ma’aden’s position as one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate fertilizers, according to a company statement. Ma’aden will now commence engineering studies and obtain the necessary approvals.

Phosphate investment deal

Syria’s Geological and Mineral Resources Authority has signed an agreement with Teryaq, a subsidiary of Serbia’s Exlixir Group, aimed at exporting 1.5 million t/a of phosphate by the end of 2026. The agreement marks a significant step in Syria’s efforts to expand international partnerships and optimise its mineral resources for economic gain. Elixir Group owns the largest phosphoric acid plant in Europe and operates three fertilizer plants in Serbia.