Peak Rare Earths Limited (ASX: PEK) has announced results from bioavailability analysis undertaken on phosphate composite samples from the Ngualla Deposit. Based on testing undertaken at ALS’s laboratory in Perth, phosphate rock from the Northern Zone has high bioavailability, which supports its potential use as a direct application fertilizer.
Peak is evaluating opportunities to co-develop other commodities within the Ngualla Deposit, which complement the Ngualla Rare Earth Project.
Commenting on the bioavailability of the results, CEO, Bardin Davis, said, “The bioavailability results are extremely pleasing and highlight the future potential to develop phosphate from the Northern Zone. Phosphate is critical to food security and enhancing agricultural yields in East and Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Composite samples from the Northern Zone returned an average bioavailability value for phosphorous of 10.80%, which is above the industry threshold of 9.4% for a ‘high’ bioavailability classification. The bioavailability results demonstrate the potential for phosphate from the Northern Zone to be used in local fertilizer applications, which is further supported by low levels of deleterious elements including cadmium, mercury, and lead.
“Previous drilling has already demonstrated widespread phosphate within the Northern Zone and we look forward to assay results in coming weeks, which should further define this mineralization. We remain of the view that the Ngualla Deposit can support a world-class, multi-commodity, and multi-generational project.” Said Mr. Davis.
Phosphate rock is an increasingly important commodity with critical mineral status in the EU and China as well as strategic materials status in Australia. Phosphate rock is a key source of phosphorous within the agricultural and fertilizer sectors and is an important precursor to Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LFP) batteries, which has recently become the dominant EV battery technology within China.
In addition, preliminary discussions are underway with multiple strategic parties around the future development and supply of phosphate from the Ngualla Deposit. These may support a capital-light opportunity to co-develop a phosphate project alongside the Ngualla Rare Earth Project.
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