The company received assay results for the first 9 holes. Eight large diameter core holes were also drilled to collect 400kg of material to identify the production of direct application or Reactive Phosphate Rock (RPR) using dry processing.
Focus Ventures said the drilling to date has outlined phosphate mineralization on about 8km from west to east and 5km north to south.
The company has undertaken an engineering study, underway in parallel with the on-going PEA, to investigate suitable dry mineral processing techniques and equipment for the establishment of RPR production at Bayovar12.
Majority of phosphate rock, about 85% of global mine production, is used in the manufacture of water-soluble fertilizers or food-grade chemicals.
The company said some phosphate rock is reactive enough as the phosphorus mineral apatite features carbonate in its structure – that under certain soil and climate conditions it can simply be crushed up and used as a fertilizer and applied directly onto the fields.
RPR can be used as a reliable, low cost slow-release source of phosphorus (P) continuously adding P to the soil over a longer period of time than some manufactured fertilizers. RPR works best on acid soils with 600-700mm of annual rainfall.
