Centrex Metals has submitted an application to allow the use of Split Creek Dam to capture and store water for its Ardmore phosphate rock project,
128km south of Mount Isa.

The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) on Ardmore identified that additional water may be required in the second half of the mine’s life, the company said.

Split Creek Dam offered a solution that would ensure there was sufficient water to sustain operations for the intended period.

Water for initial mining and processing will be drawn from a known aquifer on the granted mining lease.

Centrex chief executive officer Simon Slesarewich said the company was proactively derisking the project to ensure maximum flexibility for mining operations.

A 70-tonne-per hour modular processing plant is expected to arrive on site this month from the United Kingdom.

Concentrate produced from the start-up phase will go to potential offtake customers.

Centrex expects Ardmore to ramp up to full production in 2021.

It has announced a maiden ore reserve of 10.1Mt at 30.2 per cent P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide), supporting a minimum 10-year project life.