FULL DISCLOSURE: This is sponsored content for First Phosphate.
First Phosphate (CSE: PHOS) has taken a major step this morning, confirming that it has completed the commissioning of a pilot plant in Quebec City, Canada. The facility is located within the facilities of SGS Canada.
The plant is being utilized to produce phosphate concentrate, which will be used in the formulation of battery-grade purified phosphoric acid that will be used to make lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, cathode active material. The plant has implemented a fully solventless, environmentally friendly process to extract the phosphate.
The pilot plant has processed a 15 ton bulk sample, which was crushed to a diameter of 20 mm prior to being sent to SGS. The sample assayed at 7.6% P2O5 and 6.9% TiO2. The sample, using First Phosphate’s metallurgical processes, managed to produce a super high grade phosphate concentrate nearing 41% P2O5, resulting in the production of over 900 kg of apatite concentrate.
The concentrate was subsequently sent to Prayon SA in Belgium to produce purified phosphoric acid that is battery grade, which will then be sent to partners for homologation into LFP cathode active material production processes.
“The commissioning of the pilot plant is a major milestone for First Phosphate in the processing of battery-grade purified phosphoric acid that will be used in the LFP homologation process with our partners,” commented Peter Kent, President of First Phosphate.
The establishment of the pilot plant followed the company demonstrating positive bench test results, during which they saw recoveries of 91.4% of phosphate bearing apatite, resulting in concentrate of 40.2% P2O5.
First Phosphate last traded at $0.49 on the CSE.
FULL DISCLOSURE: First Phosphate is a client of Canacom Group, the parent company of The Deep Dive. Canacom Group is currently long the equity of First Phosphate. The author has been compensated to cover First Phosphate on The Deep Dive, with The Deep Dive having full editorial control. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. We may buy or sell securities in the company at any time. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security.
