Potássio do Brasil, a subsidiary of Brazil Potash, on May 1 said the first implementation activities are occurring at the Autazes Potash Project, with the first equipment arriving in the village of Urucurituba, in Autazes, in Amazonas state, and the first hires already taking place.
The company also reported that on April 26 it received three additional Installation Licenses. The first was received in April for the construction of the mine shafts and underground workings (GM April 12, p. 1) and the remainder, of a total of 11, are expected soon.
The three additional licenses from the Amazonas State Environmental Protection Agency (IPAAM) are for construction of a river port on the banks of the Madeira River, a stockpile at the port, and to drill two water collection wells for the Autazes Potash Project.
Potássio do Brasil’s port near the village of Urucurituba, in Autazes, is expected to supply 2.4 million mt/y of potash, all targeting domestic farmers in Brazil. The company said the new river barge port will have a higher capacity than the existing ports in the Northern Arc (Itacoatiara, Vila do Conde, and Santarém) combined, which are the main route of entry for imported fertilizers in the Amazon Basin at around 1.7 million mt.
“With Installation Licenses being granted for the mine, port, port stockpile, and two water collection wells, the company is ready to start construction activities in the field, with the mobilization of personnel and equipment within the areas foreseen and approved by the environmental agency,” said Potássio do Brasil President Adriano Espeschit.
The company said it is also preparing detailed engineering studies, an exhaustive review of the schedule of activities, and quotations for critical path services, including the drilling of a second geotechnical hole about 1,000 meters deep to obtain critical technical information for shaft sinking and construction.