We did the first steps to enhance the phosphate rock use

BIFOX has successfully concluded the initial mineral classification step of the performance test at the Tomra Test Center of the igneous phosphate rock.

We’ve completed the first step of mineral classification of the performance test to beneficiate igneous phosphate rock at Tomra, Germany.

Tomra specializes in manufacturing equipment enabling the mechanical separation of minerals and heterogeneous materials. This technology, applied to mining, facilitates the primary separation of material rich in a specific mineral intended for extraction, thereby reducing operational costs.

Our Mining and Production General Manager, Daniel Eizmendi, traveled to Wedel, Germany, in February to participate in the ore sorting performance test of our phosphate rock. This allowed us to assess the possibility of utilizing mineral classification as an initial step to separate the mine’s mineral into two streams: high-grade mineral content (high P2O5 content) and gangue (waste material).

The efficiency of the tests surpassed our initial expectations as the phosphate rock-rich material was successfully separated from the poor waste material with a much higher level of selectivity than anticipated. 

Since acquiring the igneous phosphate rock deposits of Mariela in Taltal, Antofagasta Region, in northern Chile, we have begun developing a series of initiatives not only to assess the phosphate rock resources but also to define the process for a phosphate rock beneficiation plant and to transition the existing underground mine into an open-pit mine.

A characteristic of the material extracted from the Mariela Mine is that the phosphate rock mineral has a very different color (white) compared to the gangue material (gray). This is the primary reason we believe mineral classification could be a highly viable technology to our company’s purpose and future goals.

Although this is an initial step in defining the final process, and chemical analysis of the two fractions is still pending, we can assure you that these results look very promising. Over the coming months, we will continue with the remaining tests to define the next steps of the final process for the beneficiation of igneous phosphate rock.