Highlights:

• Completion of test work programs indicate significant potential CAPEX and OPEX savings to be gained through process improvements and production efficiencies
• Optimal run of mine rate of 3Mtpy established for production of 300ktpy phosphate concentrate
• Focus on mining high-grade oxidized ore in initial years of operation
• Optimizations to crushing circuit, milling circuit, flotation circuit, filtration all expected to result in CAPEX and OPEX reductions
• Market study confirms no further processing required to produce commercial aglime suitable for local consumption as a by-product from phosphate production
• BFS targeted for completion March 2018

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazilian fertilizer developer Aguia Resources Limited (ASX:AGR)(AGRL.V) (“Aguia” or “Company”) is pleased to update shareholders on the progress of the Bankable Feasibility Study (“BFS”) for its Três Estradas Phosphate Project in southern Brazil, and confirms that the BFS is on track for completion in or around March 2018.

Several important test work programs have been successfully completed, including: a column flotation commercial scale pilot plant program at Eriez - Pennsylvania, crushing and grinding test work at Metso – Brazil, solid-liquid separation of flotation concentrate and tailings at Pocock Industrial Inc. – Utah and geotechnical drilling and test work for foundation design with Prosonda, Brazil.

These recent results have delivered the information necessary to define the process flow diagrams, mass and energy balance, and most importantly, allow the Aguia engineering team to finalize the trade-off studies. The most significant results include:

• Confirmation of the optimal run of mine (ROM) rate at 3Mtpy with production of phosphate concentrate capped at 300ktpy.
• Validation of the phased approach to mine the higher grade oxidized ore in the initial years of the operation at a scale of approximately 1.4 Mtpy of ROM, with a process recovery of 87%, producing 300ktpy of phosphate concentrate grading 35% P₂O₅.
• Optimization of the crushing and grinding circuit for the initial phase of mining and processing the high-grade oxidized ore. The comminution test work at Metso shows that the oxidized ore is relatively soft (bond work index of approximately 5 kWh/t) and as such can be processed with an optimized sizer instead of the jaw crusher that was envisioned in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) (see announcement of July 12, 2016). This circuit improvement is expected to result in capital and operational cost savings in the oxide crushing circuit.
• Comminution test work at Metso also allowed the design of an optimized milling circuit for the oxide phase, which will employ only one rod mill for grinding with a capacity of 1.4Mtpy. This approach is anticipated to significantly reduce the capital and operating costs of the milling circuit compared to the 4.5Mtpy capacity SAG mill that was planned in the PEA.
• The recent results of the commercial scale pilot plant program developed at Eriez allowed the optimization of the flotation circuit in the oxide phase which will require only four columns, two roughers and two cleaners (see announcement of October 5, 2017). This will result in further capital and operational cost savings.
• Filtration test work developed at Pocock demonstrated that press-filtering of the phosphate concentrate prior to drying will allow a significant reduction of the size of the drying unit. This represents further savings on the drying operational costs that will also be significantly reduced by using locally sourced thermal coal instead of diesel as contemplated in the PEA.
• A market study has demonstrated that no further processing is required to produce commercial aglime from the tailings of the phosphate flotation circuit to meet local consumption requirements. This simplification of the circuit will result in further capital and operational cost savings while providing an ongoing secondary revenue stream from production.
• Filtration tests of the aglime conducted at Pocock demonstrate that press-filtering alone should dewater the aglime to achieve commercial specifications. This simplification will introduce significant capex and opex savings, particularly when compared to the 1Mtpy capacity dryer that was contemplated in the PEA.

Finally, the entire data set that was produced in this extensive program will support the engineering team in the equipment design and general arrangements of the processing units.  In the coming weeks, Aguia’s engineering team will be working on the mine plan parameters in parallel with defining the processing plant and infrastructure requirements.

Aguia´s Head of Engineering Guilherme Jácome commented, “These crucial test work results and trade-off studies have provided us with precise information that allows us to implement material improvements to the entire production and process design at Três Estradas.  We expect that the result will be a more efficient and competitive production facility that will cost materially less to build and operate than we envisioned a year ago when we completed the PEA.” 

Managing Director Justin Reid added, “Our technical team’s diligence in gathering and carefully analysing each crucial component of the Três Estradas design will ultimately contribute to optimal project economics.  With the BFS now entering its final phase, we are moving closer to our ultimate objective of becoming the only phosrock producer in southern Brazil."

“We expect a steady flow of corporate and operational updates through to the release of the completed BFS which is on track for March 2018. While Três Estradas continues to be our main focus, we continue early stage exploration programs on adjacent properties we optioned last year.  All have compelling geological characteristics, and it is our intention to assess these more fully. We believe these assets could hold considerable value that is yet to be fully realised.” 

Accompanying this release is a table illustrating the status of important milestones to finalize the BFS. Aguia will progressively update this chart through to the BFS being published.  

BFS Progress Update

Qualified Person

The technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Fernando Tallarico, who is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, Technical Director for Aguia and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.  Mr. Tallarico consents to the inclusion of his name in the release.

For further information, please contact:

Justin Reid, Managing Director
E: jreid@aguiaresources.com.au  
T: +1 416-216-5446

Spyros Karellas, Investor Relations North America
E: spyros@pinnaclecapitalmarkets.ca
T: +1 416-433-5696

Released through: Ben Jarvis, Six Degrees Investor Relations: +61 413 150 448
Follow Aguia on Twitter: @ Aguia_Resources

About Aguia:

Aguia Resources Limited, (“Aguia”) is an ASX and TSXV listed company whose primary focus is on the exploration and development of phosphate projects in Brazil. Aguia has an established and highly experienced in-country team based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil with corporate offices in Sydney, Australia.  Aguia’s key projects are located in Rio Grande do Sul, a prime farming area which is 100% dependent on phosphate imports.  The Rio Grande phosphate deposits exhibit high quality and low cost production characteristics, and are ideally located with proximity to road, rail, and port infrastructure.  Aguia’s experienced management team has a proven track record of advancing high quality mining assets to production in Brazil.