Harvest Minerals, Perth, Australia, has outlined a two-phased exploration program at its Arapuá fertilizer project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, following the discovery of rare earth elements at the site, according to a July 16 update from the company.
The first phase will involve analysis of historical rock samples and new samples derived from seven boreholes. The mining company expects to complete the first phase within four months.
In the second phase, Harvest Minerals will conduct extensive drilling activities to assess potential mineral locations and then perform an in-depth analysis of processing methods to support a preliminary economic evaluation.
Harvest Minerals in 2021 opted to exit a proposed potash project in Capela, Sergipe, in northeast Brazil by relinquishing its exploration license back to Brazil’s National Mining Agency (GM Feb. 12, 2021). The company said at the time that it would focus instead on its Arapuá project (GM April 17, 2020), which produces KPfértil, an organic, multi-nutrient slow-release fertilizer and remineralizer made from weathered potassium and phosphate-rich lava.