South African JSE-listed aggregates and mining company Afrimat reported last month that it had produced the first batches of apatite at its recently acquired Glenover project, and a plant for the production of SSP is now under construction.
The company is targeting the plant’s commissioning for July or August this year, and plans to launch the production of NPK fertilizers in the future. Product will be targeted at the African market.
Afrimat acquired the Glenover project, located 90 kilometers northwest of Thabazimbi in the Limpopo Province, in 2021 for $34.3 million.
In addition to apatite, the project sits with two other strategic minerals – rare earth minerals and vermiculite – on the same site. The company said current reserves of the three minerals provide for a resource life of more than 20 years.