SOPerior Fertilizer Corp. is a Canadian based exploration and development company with a unique opportunity to develop the largest known alunite deposit in North America. Alunite is a sulfate mineral rich in alumina and “ SOP ” (sulphate of potassium fertilizer – a premium high value type of potash) and when processed using conventional methods yields three valuable products – alumina, SOP and sulphuric acid.
Massive non-bauxite alumina source
The Blawn Mountain Alunite deposit represents the largest known potential nonbauxite source of alumina in the US (1). It was discovered in the 1970’s in a search for non-bauxite sources for aluminum production as the US relies on imported bauxite and alumina in primary aluminum production. Extensive development was undertaken in the 1970’s including a mine plan, feasibility study and 3- year pilot plant operation. Prior to large scale project execution in the mid 1980’s the US secured cheap bauxite supplies from Jamaica and the project was cancelled.
In a period of record high fertilizer prices and depressed alumina prices the project was re-envisioned in 2011 by Potash Ridge focused on the production of SOP fertilizer . Resource and Reserve determination and project pre-feasibility studies were completed along with acquiring the required project regulatory permitting and licensing , The project is permitted to produce up to 645,000 tpy (tons per year) SOP, 1.29MM tpy alumina and 1.4MM tpy sulphuric acid. The Company’s 2017 Pre-Feasibility Study reports National Instrument 43-101 proven & probable mineral resources of 426 million tons and 153.3 million tons of proven & probable mineral reserves from two explored areas of the Lease. This excludes potential resource additions from two unexplored areas within the Lease that show surface indications of alunite.
With strong forward markets for alumina, SOP and sulphuric acid - the production process to be used on the first phase of the project is being redesigned to maximize the production and revenue streams from all 3 offtakes. With three valuable commodities being produced from processing a single ore stream it is projected that the project will yield lowest in class production costs.
Alunite is an environmentally friendly source of alumina
The tailings generated from processing alumina from alunite is granite ( the rock in which the alunite is found) and it suitable for road construction material. In comparison, bauxite sourced alumina produces toxic red mud tailings requiring settling ponds and landfilling Its high alkalinity makes it extremely corrosive and damaging to soil and life forms, presenting a massive problem for disposal and a growing environmental concern globally.
(1) World Nonbauxite Aluminum Resources - Alunite , Robert B Hall, Geological Survey Professional Paper 1076A.