Name of the Project
Khemisset potash project.

Location
The project is located in northern Morocco.

Project Owner/s
Emmerson.

Project Description
Emmerson has finalised the feasibility study components for the mine access design and costing for the Khemisset potash project. This is the fourth completed workstream item from the ongoing feasibility study.

The study has confirmed the scoping study development approach, with the mining horizon proposed to be accessed by twin declines built using underground mining machinery, which will later be used in mining production.

The proposed access to the potash horizon comprises twin declines driven at a slope of 1 in 7, which is similar to the scoping study design; however, it provides significant improve­ments to the original concept, primarily owing to the new preferred plant site location.

The construction of twin declines allows for one to be used for personnel access and air intake for mine ventilation, and the other for the mineral transport conveyor and ventilation exhaust.

The declines will be built using continuous miners, which will eventually be responsible for mine production and gallery development. The declines have been designed to access the primary horizon in the eastern edge of the deposit, at a depth of about 450 m below surface.

The decline position and orientation have been selected to balance accessing the optimum part of the deposit at the shallowest depth while allowing the plant site to be located as close as possible to the existing local infrastructure of roads, power and water.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a net present value, at a 10% discount rate, of $1.14-billion.

Capital Expenditure
The project has a direct capital cost estimate of mine access component of about $34.1-million, including a 21.7% contingency, a slight reduction on the scoping study estimate of $34.7-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Golder Associates (feasibility study).

Contact Details for Project Information
Emmerson, tel +44 207 236 1177.