Phosphate junior argues for critical minerals listing

Phosphate has an image problem. It’s not sexy. The issue dawned upon managing director of North West Phosphate John Cotter as cobalt, vanadium, dysprosium and others compete for the limelight. Phosphate has multiple uses including electrolyte for Li-ion batteries, feedstock supplement, a cosmetics additive, fertiliser and the basis for explosives, among others. Related: John Cotter to address 2024 North West MPX Still, it is the wallflower mineral in a hall full of roses. Main image: Incitec Pivot's Phosphate Hill operation south of Mount Isa in north west Queensland Phosphate needed to be reclassified as a critical mineral to move up the dance-card said Mr Cotter. The listing would make phosphate better appreciated for its contribution to both the carbon and energy transition and for its potential to add to the domestic manufacturing capability he said. It would also help get projects through the approvals process, Mr Cotter said. John Cotter managing director of North West Phosphate on site Mt Isa Despite a plethora of deposits, relative ease of mining and location near a transport corridor, Incitec Pivot remained the only phosphate miner until a few years ago. Even now there are only two phosphate producers, the other including the Centrex Ardmore deposit located adjacent to the IPL Phosphate Hill operation south of Mount Isa. Phosphate had form to be listed as a critical mineral said Mr Cotter. “Australian sedimentary phosphate has long been used for fertilizer production,” he said. “In recent years the production of phosphoric acid has been now focused for the creation of the battery electrolyte in lithium-ion phosphate batteries, as well as a range of embedded critical minerals, which are used in heavy magnets, particularly in military applications. “This is a growing market globally now and it's dominated by China.” Australia in the federal sector has phosphate listed as a ‘strategic’ mineral and in Queensland it is listed as a ‘identified’ mineral, said Mr Cotter. Phosphate needed the cred that critical minerals status brought he said. “The argument is twofold,” he said. “The first is to follow suite with the US who see food security in addition to the creation of lithium-ion phosphate batteries as critical to the energy transition. “And that is why we're asking the Commonwealth government to reconsider their position to drive the investment required to make manufacturing on shore in Australia. “If we were China or Morocco, there would be billions of dollars thrown at this and there's no support for phosphate in Australia. “Phosphate's been explored for a long time, but it's never been valued and I think the awakening of the Southeast Asian and broader Asian growth and the run to proteins has made phosphate now become a high targeted commodity by a lot of those countries. “Australia's got to realize that there hasn't been an understanding of what is going on in those markets to feed those populations.” North West Phosphate will to start construction on Paradise South in Q4 2024 for production at 1mpta over a 52 year mine life. The company has plans for a flotation facility in Mount Isa to process phosphate concentrate.

Phosphate junior argues for critical minerals listing

Industry Queensland

Related News

AMEC Sundowner Networking Function at Friday’s Riverside

Bonza grounding limits regional competition

Tartana probes open-pit copper resource

Get access to breaking mining news, now.