Australian-based American Pacific Borates (ABR) reported that it is one step closer to bringing a seller onboard to commercialize specialty fertilizer produced at its proposed Fort Cady Borate Mine in California, saying it is in talks with Compass Minerals, Overland Park, Kan., as it seeks a partner that will market and sell its sulfate of potash (SOP). It said it and Compass have inked a letter of intent, stipulating each party will work together to structure the marketing and sales deal.
“There is a strong alignment between ABR and Compass Minerals relative to our ambitions to supply SOP to the growing North American agricultural market,” said ABR Executive Director Anthony Hall. “Compass Minerals has well-established customer markets and supply chain, so we think the collaboration on SOP sales is a sensible one.
“The partnership will allow ABR to focus on its rare Borate business, while also leveraging the combined expertise on the potential to develop new boron enriched specialty fertilizers,” he added.
ABR said the Fort Cady project, situated in the southeastern desert region of San Bernardino County, is just months away from coming into production. ABR said in April 2020 a starter project for production would target 40,000 mt/y of SOP and 9,000 mt/y of boric acid (GM April 17, 2020; Aug. 21, 2020). Full production under its most recent Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) would reach 362,000 mt/y of SOP and 408,000 mt/y of boric acid.