Name of the Project
Chaketma phosphate project.

Location
The Chaketma phosphate deposit is situated in the south-east part of the North Tunisia phosphate basin.

Project Owner/s
PhosCo through its subsidiary Celamin.

Project Description
A scoping study has proposed the development of a potential large-scale, world-class mining operation at the Chaketma project.

The Chaketma deposit comprises seven blocks – Kef El Louz (KEL) and Gassa El Kebira (GK), Sidi Ali Ben Oum Ezzine, Douar Ouled Hamouda, Kef El Aguab, and Gassat Ezarbat.

The KEL and GK resources total 146.4-million tonnes grading 20.6% phosphate pentoxide.

The scoping study uses the published KEL and GK resources to establish an openpit diluted and recovered production target of 127.6-million tonnes at a grade of 19.9% phosphorous pentoxide and 4.5% magnesium oxide.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated pretax net present value, at a 10% discount rate, of $787-million and an internal rate of return of 55% over the life-of-mine, with a payback of 1.5 years.

Capital Expenditure
Development capital is estimated at $170-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
As a result of the outstanding results delivered by the scoping study, upon receiving the Chaketma mining concession, the board of PhosCo intends to proceed to project optimisation and definition works, as well as a bankable feasibility study.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
SRK Consulting (initial mining and geotechnical studies for the project).

Contact Details for Project Information
PhosCo, tel +61 3 9692 7222 or email info@phosco.com.au.