Name of the Project
Sintoukola (Kola) sylvinite project.

Location
The Kola project is located in the Sintoukola potash project, in the Republic of Congo (RoC).

Client
Kore Potash.

Project Description
Sylvinite is a mixture of rock-salt and sylvite (potassium chloride, or KCI) and is the preferred ore for potash production globally.

A 2012 prefeasibility study (PFS) indicated that the project had the potential to be one of the lowest-operating expenditure mines in the world. Kola has a measured and indicated sylvinite mineral resource of 508-million tonnes grading 35.4% KCI.

The PFS proposed the production of two-million tonnes a year of muriate of potash over 23 years using conventional mining methods.

The Kola deposit will be accessed by two 7-m-diameter shafts each 260 m deep. The intake shaft will include a man-and-material cage, while the exhaust shaft will be equipped with a pocket belt ore-hoisting system.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Kore Potash is finalising the remaining documents needed to complete a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Kola potash project.

The DFS is being undertaken with a consortium of French engineering companies comprising Technip France, Vinci Construction Grands Projets, Egis International and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.

The consortium has already completed 15 of the 16 DFS volumes required.

Additionally, amendments to the Kola environmental- and social-impact assessment (Esia) have been made, reflecting project design changes since it was approved. Work on a restructured Esia continues and will be reviewed by the regulator before submission to the Environment Minister for approval.

The company is awaiting feedback from the Ministry of Mines and Geology on whether further action is required by Kore to finalise the mining convention for the Kola project. The convention has been approved by the Congolese Cabinet and Parliament.

The Kola sylvenite deposit has a measured and indicated sylvenite mineral resource estimate of 508-million tonnes, grading 35.4% KCI. 

During the quarter ended September 30, the company declared a maiden sylvinite mineral resource estimate for the Dougou Extension, which is near the Kola project. The combined inferred and indicated sylvinite mineral resource estimate is 232-million tonnes, grading 38.1% KCI.

Meanwhile, a licence for the company to use an offshore area for the transshipment of potash and the discharge of waste brine has been authorised by the Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine of the RoC and was issued to the company in September.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Technip France, Vinci Construction Grands Projets, Egis International and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (DFS).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Kore Potash, tel +27 11 469 9140.