Brisbane, Queensland—Australian junior phosphate mining firm Fertoz Ltd. told shareholders Sept. 19 that recent evaluations have led it to consider that its Dry Ridge Phosphate Project in the Caribou/Targhee National Forest in southeastern Idaho does not meet its selection criteria, in that the ore is not ideal for organic farming and permitting has proven to be more difficult than expected. As a result, the company is working with the leaseholder on other partnership approaches. Fertoz had an option to explore the property through the end of August 2016, with the option of buying either a majority or minority stake in the property thereafter (GM Dec. 23, 2013). Fertoz listed its mining criteria as high quality phosphate, shallow resources, available infrastructure, and close proximity to known organic markets, with a relatively quick pathway to permitting. Fertoz also has junior phosphate projects in British Columbia (Fernie, Wapiti, Crow’s Nest, and Barnes Lake), which it continues to develop and permit. Fertoz said it remains focused on commencing sales in 2016-2017. It said this fall it will be testing a broad range of blends and various soil types with products synergistic to rock phosphate, including sulfur and humates, which have been demonstrated to improve the available phosphate and uptake in plants.
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