Centrex is ploughing through the to-do list in its Stage 1.5 expansion works at Ardmore mine, including the completion of a brine dam and steps to boost workforce accommodation.

Funding to lock in the expansion project was secured through a $9.97 million National Australia Bank financing package last month following an $8 million placement and $2 million share purchase plan.

The company has set out its progress on the project, which is set to take the Ardmore rock phosphate mine’s production run rate from about 240,000tpa to 625,000tpa by December 2024.

“Prudent and responsible capital management remains at the forefront of our execution strategy to meet our targeted production run-rate of 625ktpa,” Centrex chief executive officer and managing director Robert Mencel said.

“With the recent successful injections of capital into the business, the project team has responded rapidly with the implementation of key projects that are increasing volumes, reducing operational expenditure and enhancing operational efficiencies.

“All of these efforts are expected to translate into additional phosphate rock production and enhance sales margins. I am delighted with the efficient progress achieved thus far from our highly experienced team. We are on schedule and under budget to meet all our stated objectives as previously forecasted.”

The construction of the brine dam has been finished ahead of schedule and on budget. It has been operational since late February 2024, serving as the Ardmore mine’s primary waste disposal dam.

Centrex reports that it has determined a preferred supplier for a reverse osmosis plant, which is expected to be installed by mid-year.

Engineering and processing improvements to further improve drying systems are underway, and Centrex has purchased additional cyclone banks to further increase the performance of the plant and separation efficiency.

A substantial portion of the Ardmore ramp-up relies on expanding the workforce to introduce a night shift.

To provide additional accommodation for its workforce in nearby Dajarra, Centrex is installing an additional four dongas, each containing four rooms.

“These units have been purchased and mobilisation planning from the Brisbane factory is underway,” the company reported. These units include solar power generation to reduce the Ardmore mine’s overall environmental impact.”

Centrex expects installation of the units to kick off this month and be completed in early April.

Work on the next phase of the Dajarra camp expansion is also underway, with proposals being sought for the kitchen and laundry.

This will provide life-of-mine accommodation for the increased workforce required for the Stage 1.5 expansion.

As part of the Stage 1.5 ramp-up, the company acquired new crushing plant from Onetrak, which was mobilised to site in October last year.

Following commissioning and a six-month contract with Crushing and Screening Equipment (CSE) to train its crews and aid in the ramp-up, Centrex is now utilising its own operators.

In addition to outlining progress on the expansion project, Centrex has released a revised capital expenditure estimate of $15 million. (See table below).

Image at top of page: the crushing plant at Ardmore rock phosphate mine in North-West Queensland.