AMN - SENEGAL: Progress on track for Baobab phosphate

Avenira continues to make steady progress on all key critical path items at the Baobab phosphate project in Senegal including mining, processing, infrastructure and water supply.

The progress "reflects Avenira's accelerated strategy to break into the buoyant nutrient and fertiliser sector". The company's strategy to develop the project is based on an initial Stage 1 operation producing 500,000 tonnes/year of phosphate concentrate. Total capital expenditure to production is $15 million and the project is fully funded. The operation has been designed to enable multiple stages of expansion across the project.

Avenira managing director and CEO Cliff Lawrenson says: “It is very pleasing to see the Baobab project development advancing rapidly. The project team is making solid progress in all key areas and the project remains on budget and on schedule for first production in the second half of calendar 2016. The project is fully funded to production, while separately Avenira retains cash reserves allowing the company to proceed with development beyond Stage 1 of the project."

Development of the project is well advanced with mining activities now commenced and production of first phosphate rock on schedule for early in the second half of 2016. Mine and process plant access roads are complete with the open pit ramp being established.

Site infrastructure is being established with office and accommodation units on site and main access roads complete. Two water bores will be drilled and installed for the project, principally for processing the phosphate ore. This drilling is well under way with the first of two 500 metre deep water bores drilled and airlifting water.

Once complete the drill rig will start the second process water bore.

Top soil clearing of the first stage of the open pit and the main mining fleet has commenced together with overburden removal and the ramp up is well under way for the mine to be fully operational.

www.avenira.com

News courtesy of International Mining