AMN - MALI: Great Quest Fertilizer progresses relationships

Great Quest Fertilizer has updated its work in Mali, where it has made some significant breakthroughs in terms of establishing working relationships in the country’s north. These relationships are outside the context of contracts and formal agreements however, those will likely follow.

The company is making plans to resume work at site to update the resource from inferred to measured and indicated, and considering options to do some simple processing of material in Northern Mali to improve profitability and establish a foot print in the region.

Over the past year Great Quest has been working on establishing strong working relationships with local groups in Almoustrat and the Gao region of Mali.

Given the political uncertainty in the region, as Malian government and international agencies seek to re-establish rule of law, it has been Great Quest's view that strong local partnerships are paramount to continuing work in Northern Mali, where its world-class phosphate deposit is located. The efforts are being rewarded and renewing confidence that the company can move forward with prolonged work in the region. Discussions with community elders are ongoing, regarding participation of local groups in the mining and trucking duties necessary for the operation.

Establishing a presence in the community will begin with resource work planned for September 2016. The company is also looking at a plan that would separate beneficiation stages from complex granule granulation. With beneficiation done in Northern Mali and granulation in Segou as originally planned, this reduces transportation costs and positions the company well for future expansions.

Great Quest Mali, a subsidiary of Great Quest Fertlizers, director Mama Tapo says: "Great Quest's phosphate project is of great importance to the country. The company is establishing an economic bridge between Northern and Southern Mali, fostering collaboration between business people in both regions. This is a key step in establishing a lasting peace."

Great Quest is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the development of African agricultural mineral projects for local production of farm ready fertilizers. Its flagship asset is the Tilemsi phosphate project, encompassing 1206sqkm in northeast Mali, containing high quality phosphate resources amenable to use as direct application fertiliser.

www.greatquest.com

News courtesy of International Mining