Vancouver-Raytec Metals Corp. reports that it has engaged the services of Kinetex Inc., a subsidiary of FirstGrowth-EDS, to conduct 2-D seismic work on its Saskatchewan KP441 potash claim in advance of a proposed phase one drill program. The company recently received its exploration permits on the KP441 and KP452 potash claims, covering 91,549 acres, from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Mines. In June 2008, a NI43-101 compliant resource was established on the southwest portion of the KP441 claim using data from two historic holes drilled by Canadian Exploration Ltd. in 1969. The resource estimation, which covers approximately 17 percent of claim KP441, includes a net recoverable indicated resource of 12.49 million mt of K2O and a net recoverable inferred resource of 12.24 million mt of K2O. To confirm the quality, quantity, and extent of the potash mineral resources within the KP441 claim, the technical report recommended that the company acquire available existing 2-D reflection seismic trade data to confirm the continuity of the various Prairie Evaporite members, as well as undertake a 2-D reflection seismic survey over the entire KP441 permit area. The seismic survey is scheduled to commence in the upcoming weeks and will take approximately two months to be conducted with all data processed. Raytec intends to follow up this initial 2-D survey work with a 3-D seismic survey to further investigate the lithology and volumetrics of the potash mineralization within its permit area. Successful completion of this work will lead to the design and commencement of a phase one drill program focused on expanding the current potash resource. “With the receipt of our NI43-101 resource and exploration permit, all the pieces of our story are falling neatly into place and I’m pleased with the pace at which this has occurred,” said Brian Thurston, Raytec president. “We are focused on accelerating shareholder value at this point by immediately commencing work that will lead to the expansion of our existing potash resource.” The company is also awaiting the receipt of additional exploration permits on its KP455, KP466, KP467, and KP468 potash claim applications (contiguous with the KP441 potash claim) in south-central Saskatchewan. It has also made an application for the KP500 potash claim block located directly southwest of the company’s KP441 potash disposition, which lies within an area of influence to the recently announced NI43-101 resource estimate. In total, the pending applications cover 207,360 acres. The company anticipates that these new applications will be granted in the upcoming weeks and will be making announcements as each is received.
U.S. Gulf/Tampa: The much-anticipated prices for major Gulf area price points finally hit last week. Reports were that Yara concluded Tampa September business with CF at $931/mt DEL. In addition, CF was reported to have bought an import cargo for Donaldsonville at $936/mt DEL. In the meantime, new NOLA barge business was called $880/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt: Anhydrous ammonia remained at $1,040/st FOB river terminals in Illinois on the low end for cash tons, but sources reported little business to test the market. One source reported a prepay offer of $1,150/st FOB on the table for spring 2009. Forward contract ammonia for October through December was being referenced at $1,240-$1,250/st FOB regional terminals.
Western Cornbelt: The ammonia market remained at $1,020-$1,080/st FOB for limited spot market tons, with spring prepay reportedly available for $1,150/st FOB. Reference prices for forward contract tons for October through December ranged from $1,230-$1,240/st FOB in the region.
Northern Plains: Minnesota sources said spot ammonia tons could be had at $1,050/st FOB terminals to the dealer, but reference levels remained as high as $1,235-$1,255/st FOB, depending on supplier and time of delivery. Reference levels for delivered ammonia were reported at the $1,380-$1,400/st level in North Dakota.
Eastern Canada: Anhydrous ammonia was reportedly referenced at $1,160/mt FOB Courtright, Ont., with discounts bringing the low end of the range to roughly $1,120/mt FOB.
California: Calamco raised its anhydrous ammonia price at midnight Aug. 27 to $890/st truck-DEL and $935/st rail-DEL in California, up $190/st from its previous postings. The company’s aqua ammonia price also increased on that date, to $232/st FOB in California from the previous $185/st FOB.
UREA
U.S. Gulf: New granular barge business was reported within the $750-$755/st FOB range last week. Indications were that the business started its way at the low end and worked its way up. Sellers were holding out for $760/st FOB by the end of the week. Prills were called $740-$750/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt: Granular urea was down slightly from last report. The dealer market was reported in a broad range at $805-$850/st FOB last week, with the low out of spot river terminals in Illinois and the upper end reported in Ohio to the dealer.
Western Cornbelt: Granular urea was reported at $800-$830/st FOB, down slightly from last report.
Northern Plains: Granular urea was reported at the $805-$810/st mark FOB the Twin Cities last week, while delivered urea was pegged at $820-$830/st in the Dakotas.
Northeast: Granular urea was reported at $849-$857/st FOB Philadelphia, Pa., and E. Liverpool, Ohio, with reference prices reported at the $890/st FOB mark in Baltimore, Md. Sources reported little new buying to test the market.
Eastern Canada: The granular urea market was quoted at $1,032-$1,100/mt FOB in the region, depending on location.
Pakistan: Pakistan Finance Minister Syed Naveed Qamar telephoned Saudi Commerce Minister on the direction of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, seeking another facility of $400 million for urea, according to the local media. The facility would be used for importing nearly 400,000 mt of urea from Saudi Arabia to meet local consumption, as the MINFAL reported to the prime minister that the country may face a shortage of nearly 400,000 mt of urea during the coming Rabi season.
Saudi authorities finalized a credit facility of $125 million for importing urea last month. Nearly 200,000 mt from this facility would land at the end of this month, while the remaining would be shipped later.
NITROGEN SOLUTIONS
U.S. Gulf: Barges continued to be called $500-$505/st FOB ($15.62-$15.78/unit FOB). Rumors circulated about sub-$500/st FOB business, but there was no firm word on those deals.
Eastern Cornbelt: The UAN market was reported at $16.00-$16.79/unit FOB regional terminals for cash tons, with reports of spring prepay being offered for $17.50/unit FOB on a spot basis. Reference prices for forward contract UAN-32 tons for October through February were reported in the range of $598.40-$606.40/st ($18.70-$18.95/unit) FOB.
Western Cornbelt: UAN-32 remained at $510-$525/st ($15.94-$16.41/unit) FOB regional terminals for cash tons.
Northern Plains: Minnesota sources pegged the UAN market at a firm $17.20-$17.40/unit FOB terminals to the dealer, reflecting an increase from last report.
Northeast: Sources pegged the UAN-30 market at $465-$468/st ($15.50-$15.60/unit) FOB Baltimore and Philadelphia to the dealer, but most said that price is continuing to firm. One referred to indications of later tons that are closer to the $16.00/unit FOB mark, and another reported UAN-32 referenced at $518.40/st ($16.20/unit) FOB in Delaware last week. Out of terminals in upstate New York, the UAN-32 market was referenced at $16.75/unit FOB last week, while rail-delivered UAN-32 in New England fell in the $560-$575/st ($17.50-$17.97/unit) range.
Eastern Canada: UAN was reported at $19.28-$19.50/unit FOB, with the upper end reported at $542-$546/mt ($19.36-$19.50/unit) FOB in Ontario.
AMMONIUM NITRATE
U.S. Gulf: Recent barge prices were reported at $520-$530/st FOB, with some suppliers still looking for much higher numbers for fall barges.
Western Cornbelt: Ammonium nitrate pricing was steady at $575-$600/st FOB in the region.
Eastern Canada: Ontario sources pegged the ammonium nitrate market at $875/mt FOB to the dealer, while CAN-17 was reported at $715/mt FOB in the province.
AMMONIUM SULFATE
Eastern Cornbelt: Granular ammonium sulfate was steady at $485-$495/st FOB in the region, with the upper end reflecting dealer reference prices.
Western Cornbelt: Granular ammonium sulfate remained firm at $475-$490/st FOB.
Northern Plains: Granular ammonium sulfate was tagged at $470-$495/st FOB in the region, with the upper level reflecting dealer postings before discounts. Delivered sulfate remained at $470-$480/st in the region.
Northeast: Granular ammonium sulfate was up from last report at $474-$502/st FOB in the region, with the upper level FOB Philadelphia to the dealer.
EasternCanada: Granular ammonium sulfate was tagged at $590-$592/mt FOB.
PHOSPHATES
Central Florida: It’s the season. Tropical Storm Fay moved out of Florida early last week after dumping a couple of feet of water on the state’s East Coast, but causing no real damage to phosphate operations in Bone Valley – although railcar service was temporarily suspended.
By the end of the week, however, a new storm, Gustav, was churning up the waters south of Cuba and Jamaica. Gustav was expected to begin moving west-northwest into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, where it was forecasted to become a hurricane – possibly as strong as Category 3, with winds of about 115 mph. While Florida was out of the track of Gustav, the storm could hit New Orleans or Texas on Monday or Tuesday of this week, and was already having an impact on shipping – particularly sulfur to Tampa. Sulfur vessels were preparing to seek shelter in nearby ports until after Gustav passes.
Another tropical depression, No. 8, had formed behind Gustav about 350 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. If it continues developing, it would become Tropical Storm Hanna. Computer projections said that storm would move northwest before turning west and threatening Florida or the Southeast coast. Still another tropical wave had moved to about 750 miles west of the Cape Verde Island and could strengthen.
No new prompt sales were reported out of Central Florida last week, but railcars were being filled by earlier orders. In general, phosphate sales in the major markets were slow and will not likely improve until the fall season gets underway. Most dealers’ warehouses were believed to be full.
The Central Florida DAP price range last week remained $1,070-$1,080/st FOB. PCS Sales’s Central Florida reference price was unchanged at $1,070/st FOB for DAP and had a $25/st FOB premium for MAP. Mosaic’s asking price was $1,090/st FOB for DAP and $1,115/st FOB for MAP, but was making sales at $10/st FOB less for both products last week. CF dropped its asking price from $1,070/st FOB for DAP to $1,050/st FOB, and from $1,145/st FOB for MAP to $1,110/st FOB, but had limited availability. In Texas, Agrifos’ DAP price continued at $1,100/st FOB for trucks and $1,095/st FOB for rail shipments.
U.S. Gulf: Normally, Oklahoma winter wheat farmers would be hitting their dealer’s warehouses for phosphates and other fertilizers by last week, but they were not. The reason was unclear. Wheat farmers had good crops last season and have money to spend, and rainfall has been sufficient to put enough moisture in the soil. Some were guessing they simply might be waiting to see if prices will go down, which could happen.
Last week there were few sales in the NOLA DAP barge market, but offers were made far below the current price range, although no takers could be found. Prices were offered as low as $1,005/st FOB, which was $35/st FOB below the bottom of the current range. Sources said the owner of the product was eager to sell because of the large amount of capital – around $1.5 million per barge – tied up and a tight capital market. Mosaic made sales at $1,060/st FOB, which was at the top of the range.
Tropical Storm Gustav was expected to reach hurricane strength late last week and could become a Category 3 storm before making landfall, possibly at New Orleans. If so, barge traffic out of that area would be affected.
Warehouse prices were still in the $1,080-$1,100/st FOB range last week, but more had moved to the bottom of the range.
Based on sales last week, the NOLA DAP barge price range stagnated at $1,040-$1,060/st FOB. MAP barges were $25-$60/st FOB more than DAP, but supplies remained scarce. Mosaic’s asking price for NOLA DAP barges was $1,100/st FOB and $1,125/st FOB for MAP, and its prices for October and November will increase $10/st FOB. CF dropped its DAP price by $20/st FOB and lowered the premium it charged for MAP to $60/st FOB from $75/st FOB, so its prices fell from $1,070/st FOB to $1,050/st FOB for DAP and from $1,145/st FOB to $1,110/st FOB for MAP for prompt deliveries.
Eastern Cornbelt: The DAP market was quoted at $1,080-$1,125/st FOB regional warehouses, with the low out of spot river locations in Illinois. MAP was reported at $1,120-$1,150/st FOB in the region last week.
10-34-0 was reported firmly in the $1,150-$1,200/st FOB range, with reports of spot tons being offered for as high as $1,300/st FOB in the region. 10-34-0 remained extremely tight.
Western Cornbelt: DAP was reported at $1,080-$1,100/st FOB regional warehouses, with MAP at $1,120-$1,145/st FOB. 10-34-0 was firm at $1,175-$1,200/st FOB in the region for very limited spot tons.
Northern Plains: DAP was quoted at $1,075-$1,110/st FOB, down slightly from last report. MAP was quoted at $1,125-$1,150/st FOB, also down from last report. 10-34-0 remained in extremely tight supply, with any limited spot sales reported in the $1,150-$1,250/st FOB range. The low was quoted for black 10-34-0, with the upper end of that range as the firm spot price for green 10-34-0.
Effective Sept. 1, Agrium’s postings for both super phosphoric acid and merchant grade acid will firm to $2,600/st rail-DEL in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Postings will firm again to $2,650/st rail-DEL in October, and to $2,700/st rail-DEL in November.
Northeast: The DAP market was quoted at $1,082-$1,100/st FOB in the region, actually down slightly from last report. MAP was reported at $1,122-$1,140/st FOB, with the low reported at Philadelphia and E. Liverpool to the dealer. 10-34-0 was tagged at a firm $1,100/st FOB shipping points in upstate New York.
Eastern Canada: The DAP market was quoted at $1,395-$1,400/mt FOB, with MAP at $1,420-$1,425/mt FOB. No current prices were reported for TSP in the region.
U.S. Export: The export market has been trending downward in recent weeks. Last week, a trader made a sale of a handymax vessel into India, about 40,000 mt, at $1,160/mt FOB.
On the positive side, ocean freight rates were on the decline and the trip to India was put at $80/mt, down from around the recent $100/mt. That will help to improve FOB prices once more sales are made.
PhosChem has taken a wait-and-see attitude on new export sales due to lower prices. The U.S. dollar has been gaining in value recently, but not due to any good domestic financial news. Instead, other economies were beginning to reflect some of the problems this country has, a reaction to the faltering U.S. economy. The reduced value of the U.S. dollar was one of the primary reasons export sales of all products were up.
The export DAP price range last week declined from $1,215-$1,220/mt FOB the previous week to $1,160-$1,215/mt FOB based on recent sales.
POTASH
Eastern Cornbelt: The potash market continued to tick up, with warehouse pricing reported firmly in the $900-$930/st FOB range, depending on location, grade, and time of delivery.
Western Cornbelt: Sources put the potash market in a broad range at $895-$925/st FOB regional warehouses to the dealer.
Northern Plains: Potash was quoted at a firm $900-$925/st FOB level for brokered or resellers tons out of Minnesota warehouse locations, provided any tons could be had. Most said product was unavailable on the spot market in late August.
PCS Sales is raising its North American potash postings across the board by $250/st FOB, effective Sept. 1 through Nov. 30. The company’s Saskatchewan mine prices for that period moved to $767/st FOB for standard, $780/st FOB for soluble, $772/st FOB for granular, and $780/st FOB for white granular.
Northeast: Sources quoted the potash market at $850-$900/st DEL, depending on grade, location, and availability. Effective Aug. 13, Agrium’s 60 percent coarse potash postings firmed to $850/st FOB Wilmington, N.C., and Georgia shipping points at Bainbridge and Tifton.
Eastern Canada: Potash out of warehouse locations in Ontario was reported at $930-$946/mt FOB, depending on grade and availability, with the upper end reported for white granular muriate. On a rail-delivered basis, sources pegged the potash market at $954-$963/mt in the province.
The potash price at the mine FOB Sussex, N.B., was at $623/mt for Canadian customers for the shipping period ending Aug. 31. As of Sept. 1, however, a $300/mt price increase takes effect, bringing the mine price to $923/mt FOB for the Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 shipping period. A $300/mt increase is also on tap for Canadian customers FOB Saskatchewan mines, bringing the red granular price there to $888/mt FOB for Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.
The K-Mag market was quoted at $515/mt FOB, and sulfate of potash was reportedly referenced as high as $1,290/mt FOB in Ontario. Several sources reported, however, that the last SOP tons they purchased were at the $848/mt FOB level.
SULFUR
Tampa: Sulfur vessels were preparing to seek safe harbor late last week as Tropical Storm Gustav was expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico and possibly toward New Orleans as a hurricane. Gustav could become a Category 3 hurricane, with winds up to 115 mph. Oil and gas companies began moving personnel from offshore drilling platforms on Wednesday as a precaution, but onshore refineries were operating as normal on Thursday. If the storm does hit anywhere on the Gulf Coast away from Florida, sulfur production will be impacted. The good news was that sulfur inventories at Tampa and at refineries were sufficient to weather a delay caused by the storm.
Some talk about prices will likely occur at TFI’s conference at Seattle in September, but don’t expect much from the phosphate industry, which has been watching as prices on the world market stagnated and have begun to reverse in some cases. It will not be to their advantage to settle prices quickly and a settlement of fourth quarter prices may be later than normal.
West Coast: Negotiations were still ongoing on the West Coast last week, as buyers have taken a hard line on any price increases. Most likely, not much price movement will take place.
Vancouver: No real change in China, even though the Olympics have come to an end. Negotiations were continuing last week without progress.
MARKET NOTES
Belarus: Belarusian Potash Co. is eyeing the sale of other Russian fertilizers besides potash, according to Mikhail Osipenko, Belnefthim Concern deputy president. “We are considering proposals of several Russian companies, which produce fertilizers other than potash ones and are ready to cooperate with the BPC,” he said.
Poland: Polish Oil and Gas Co., which is the only supplier of gas to the fertilizer industry, has asked for a new increase of gas prices by 30 percent. The company already received a 17 percent increase earlier this year. A further increase is in doubt, say government sources.
Poland’s gas experts fear that Russia will be reluctant to sell more gas to Poland as a result of the anti-Russian actions of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who supported Georgia and criticized Russian “intervention” in Georgia, saying it was “brutal aggression.” “Russia may cut delivery of gas to Poland, which would kill the Polish fertilizers industry,” said one gas expert. The negotiations on the delivery of Russian gas to Poland will start later this year, and Poland wants more gas.
A new program of the privatization of the Polish fertilizers industry will be announced on Sept. 10, according to the Ministry of Treasury.
CHS Crop Nutrients announces the retirement of Burnie Baker and the promotions of Jim Carlson and Tom Mulrooney, all of whom are based at the Inver Grove Heights office. In his new role, Carlson, who was previously anhydrous ammonia product supply manager, will be responsible for potash product management. Mulrooney is promoted from assistant product manager to product manager, phosphates. Both Carlson and Mulrooney will begin their new responsibilities Sept. 1, following Baker’s retirement.
Baker’s 40-year career included various supply and marketing management positions with Terra Industries Inc., Agriliance LLC, and CHS. “Burnie experienced many changes over the years, and managed all the bumps along the way with grace, integrity, a willing attitude and a friendly personality,” said Tim Chrislip, director, product development and business development, CHS crop nutrients.
Dasco Inc., headquartered in Monument, Colo., has recently added two new members to their sales team. Tim Whiteman joined the company in July as the area sales manager for the upper Midwest. His sales area includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois. Whiteman, a graduate of Purdue University, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sales Management.
Mike Turnipseed also joined the Dasco sales team in July as the area sales manager for the eastern Midwest and southern states. His sales area includes Southern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Turnipseed has been in the agricultural business since 1982. A graduate of Clemson University, He was formerly with ICI Zeneca for 18 years, and also spent 5 years with Miles Farm Supply.
Athabasca Potash Inc. has appointed James Davidson as chief financial officer, effective Aug. 20. He is a chartered accountant with over 28 years experience. “Mr. Davidson, with his wealth of financial management experience in budgeting, project accounting, and risk control through his decades of working experience with Weyerhaeuser Company and Deloitte & Touche LLP will be a great asset to Athabasca,” said Dawn Zhou, Athabasca president and CEO. Davidson succeeds the company’s existing CFO, Gary Billingsley, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities.
Howard Cummer was recently added to Raytec Metals Corp.’s advisory board. He held the position of vice president and managing director of Canpotex Hong Kong Ltd. between 1994 and 2006. The company said it would like to correct that it mistakenly announced Cummer as having a Ph.D. He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario before pursuing post-graduate studies at the London School of Economics.
Vancouver-Crescent Resources Corp. has signed a letter with Australian Potash Co. Pty (APC) and its shareholders to acquire up to a 100 percent direct and indirect interest in 12 licenses known as the Carnarvon Basin Project, an exploration property covering approximately 4,280 square kilometers of prospective potash horizons in an extensive evaporate basin known as the Southern Carnarvon Basin in Western Australia. Previous drilling consists of three widely spaced oil and gas wells over a distance of 25 kilometers. Crescent says the drilling indicated significant potash and other sodium and magnesium salts. APC will be issued 30 million shares in Crescent and receive $275,000. It can obtain up to 100 percent interest in the licenses by paying $7 million for exploration, submitting a bankable feasibility study, and repaying license holders the fair value of 20 percent of the license. Crescent says it is a mineral exploration and development company with a defined growth strategy of adding value through discovery and rapid project advancement through exploration.
Toronto-Latin American Minerals Inc. (LAT) reports that it has staked three potash projects in the Puna region of northwestern Argentina known for its surface evaporate deposits containing potash, lithium, borax, and other minerals. The company says it has 100 percent interest in approximately 100,000 hectares in the area, which already has potash, lithium, and borax mines. “We are very excited about the excellent exploration potential of our Puna projects,” said David Wahl, LAT president. “Given the surface nature of the mineralization and proven process technology, we believe these projects can be fast tracked through exploration and, if warranted, into production, to meet the immediate and growing world demand for potash.” LAT is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects in Latin America.
Vancouver-Potash One Inc. reports that it has successfully completed strategic planning for the environmental assessment on its 100 percent owned Legacy Potash Solution Mining Project. Golder Associates has conducted a preliminary technical site screening review for the proposed location of the production complex. Potash One said no significant issues have been identified. As a result, the company is maintaining its efforts to complete the required comprehensive environmental baseline studies initiated last spring and work with the regulators and stakeholders to address any issues identified in a sustainable manner as it progresses through the EA process.
Mt. Angel, Ore.-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that it has reached a $18,400 settlement with Wilco-Winfield LLC (WWL), formerly Wilco-Farmers/Agriliance, for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). WWL had been producing pesticides in an unregistered establishment and selling pesticides that were misbranded. The FIFRA violations had been occurring for at least the past three years (2005-2007). WWL’s unregistered facility, located at 13007 Downs Road in Mt. Angel, Ore., had been using the establishment number that was assigned to another facility located at 190 South Main Street in Mt. Angel. The Main Street facility was owned by WWL, but had been inactivated since 2000. “Production of any pesticides at the Downs Road facility was in violation of FIFRA since this facility was not registered,” said Chad Schulze, EPA’s Region 10 FIFRA Enforcement Officer in Seattle. “Furthermore, these pesticides produced at the Downs Road facility were misbranded because they bore an invalid, inactive EPA establishment number. These numbers help EPA track the type, amount, and location of pesticides being produced and sold in the U.S.” EPA has worked with WWL to ensure that all of their establishments are registered according to Section 7 of FIFRA and that they are submitting the required annual reports.
Boston-Converted Organics Inc. reports that it will work with Gro Group Inc. as a manufacturing partner in 2009, supplying its organic granular fertilizer to seven of Gro Group Inc.’s major distributors, which collectively service up to 15,000 lawn and garden retailers throughout the U.S. Converted Organics’ organic granular fertilizer is for use on lawns, turf, flowers, and gardens. Gro Group Inc. distributors service over 90 percent of the independent lawn and garden retailers in the U.S. and Canada, and are represented in every major U.S. and Canadian market. Converted Organics will showcase its all-natural soil amendment and fertilizer products in seven of Gro Group Inc.’s regional distributor retailer trade shows throughout the U.S. during September and October, 2008.
Disclaimer of Warranty
All information has been obtained by Green Markets from sources believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, Green Markets or others, Green Markets does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.
