Emmerson Feasibility Study recommends Port of Casablanca for potash handling

Highlights

• The go-forward Feasibility Study (FS) logistics strategy has selected the Port of Casablanca (PoC)
- One of the largest ports in Africa, equipped to handle larger vessels with higher loading rates
- Significant existing capacity, sufficient for Emmerson's potash and salt production
• Port Infrastructure pre-production capital cost has reduced from US$7.5 million envisaged in the Scoping Study to zero in the FS
- PoC is fully equipped to handle potash and salt with no investment required from Emmerson
- The Port currently exports over 1 million tonnes of salt per annum
• Fully quoted product transport and logistics costs to Port of Casablanca of US$11.39/t
- An increase of US$1.39/t from Scoping Study to account for slightly longer distance to PoC
- Quotes received from one of Morocco's largest transport companies with a significant fleet of heavy vehicles
• Supports Emmerson's goal of developing a sustainable, low capital cost, mine
• Fully quoted product transport and logistics costs to Brazil of CFR US$29.05/t
- Inclusive of port fees, customs duties, shipping and royalties
- Quotes received from Port operator, customs agents, and a large shipping company

Hayden Locke, CEO of Emmerson, commented: "The Emmerson team has visited the Port of Casablanca a number of times and have been extremely impressed with the facilities available. It was positive to note that the Port already exports a significant quantity of de-icing salt, which has very similar storage and handling characteristics to potash. In addition, the Port handles large quantities of bulk commodities including Phosphate, Clinker, and Fluorine.

"The management authorities for the Port confirmed that there is sufficient storage and loading capacity, with equipment suitable for both potash and salt, to handle all of Emmerson's export needs with no additional investment.

"On top of saving US$7.5 million, we are pleased that the Port already has expertise in managing products like potash, which will reduce the overall execution risk for Emmerson as we move towards production.

"This is the first workstream item from the ongoing Feasibility Study, which is progressing well and is on schedule. We look forward to continuing to keep the market updated with various parts of the study as we progress towards its final release during the first half of 2020."

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/potash/05112019/emmerson-feasibility-study-recommends-port-of-casablanca-for-potash-handling/