Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd.’s Korella North mine development is advancing rapidly with both mine planning and marketing activities well under way.
Following preparation of the geological model for Korella North, first mine plans to produce 250,000 tonnes per annum from the now-defined-five-million-tonne deposit have been completed.
Detailed topographic mapping of Korella North will commence this week to enable the design of on-site roads, as well as the rail crossing, to connect the mine site to the paved Phosphate Hill to Cloncurry Road.
At the Cloncurry phosphate distribution hub, the contract with Ergon Energy has been signed to relocate a major power line clearing the way for unfettered access for on-site storage and processing operations.
This week, Korella Fertilizers attended the Northern Australia Food Future Conference in Darwin, and it was evident that there is significant interest by northern Australia farmers in Korella North’s direct application 20-per-cent-phosphorus-pentoxide phosphate rock.
Phosphate-deficient northern Australia is awakening to increasing cropping activities that include vast areas of dry land and irrigated cotton.
About 500 people with direct connection to farming in the top end of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia attended the four-day conference.
Korella North phosphate provides for Northern Australia farmers the economic and secure alternative to imported fertilizers.