Unlocking value in the Gabon Potash Basin

Aug 8, 2024 | potash news

Millennial Potash Corp. (TSX-V: MLP) is making waves in the global potash market. With an experienced management team renowned for creating substantial shareholder value, Millennial Potash is set to make significant contributions to global agriculture through its Banio Potash Project in Gabon. This project has the potential to meet the increasing global demand for potash fertilizers, which are essential for enhancing food security worldwide.

The leadership of Millennial Potash is a strong indicator of the company’s potential. The board and management collectively own 30 per cent of the company’s shares, ensuring their interests are aligned with those of other shareholders. The team includes industry veterans such as Farhad Abasov, Graham Harris, Paul Matysek, Peter Maclean, and Jason Wilkinson. Their track record is impressive: they developed and sold Millennial Lithium to Lithium Americas for CDN $491 million, Allana Potash to Israel Chemicals for CDN $170 million, Potash One to Kali + Salz for CDN $434 million, and Energy Metals to Uranium One for CDN $1.8 billion. These successes highlight their ability to identify, develop, and monetize high-potential resource projects.

The Banio Potash Project, located on Gabon’s coast, has several strategic advantages. Its proximity to shipping ports and established infrastructure facilitates efficient logistics and market access to key regions such as Brazil, the U.S., and Asia. Extensive potash mineralization has been identified on the property, with drillholes demonstrating seam thicknesses of up to 80 metres. The simple geology and mineralogy of the deposit makes it amenable to low-cost and environmentally responsible solution mining. Furthermore, the Gabonese government fully supports the project, reflecting the country’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and fostering infrastructure development.

Millennial Potash has made significant progress with the Banio Potash Project. The maiden mineral resource estimate identified significant indicated and inferred mineral resources exceeding 1.7 billion tonnes with over 289 million tonnes of contained potassium chloride (KCl). This estimate covers only five per cent of the 1,200-square-kilometre project area, hinting at substantial future resource expansion possibilities. The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), completed in April 2024, returned an after-tax NPV(10) of USD $1.07 billion and an after-tax IRR of 32.6 per cent, positioning the Banio project as one of the most potentially economically viable potash deposits globally, and a highly attractive investment proposition. The project also boasts extremely competitive operating costs of USD $61 per tonne of granular muriate of potash (gMOP), ensuring cost-effective operations and sustainable profitability.

Millennial Potash is committed to moving the Banio Potash Project towards production. Leveraging its strategic location, robust resource base, and favourable market dynamics, the company aims to expand the project resources and initiate a Definitive Feasibility Study later in 2024. The Banio Potash Project’s coastal location in Gabon offers significant logistical advantages. Its proximity to major shipping ports enables efficient transportation to key markets in Brazil, the U.S., and Asia. This logistical advantage, combined with Gabon’s supportive government stance, creates a conducive environment for project development.

The Banio project’s operating costs are highly competitive at USD $61 per tonne of granular muriate of potash (gMOP) and an attractive CAPEX estimate of USD $ 480 million for an 800,000 tonne per year gMOP operation. This low-cost structure is pivotal in ensuring possible sustainable profitability and may position Millennial Potash as a cost leader in the potash industry. The Gabonese government’s endorsement of the Banio project underscores the country’s commitment to fostering foreign investment and infrastructure development. This support is crucial in facilitating project advancement and ensuring a favourable operational environment.

Millennial Potash is dedicated to sustainable development. The company’s operations align with global best practices in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance. By prioritizing sustainability, Millennial Potash aims to contribute positively to Gabon’s socio-economic landscape and the global agricultural sector.

Millennial Potash Corp. is on a transformative journey to unlock the full potential of the Banio Potash Project. With a clear roadmap for value creation and a proven history of success, the company is well-positioned to become a leading supplier of potash fertilizers. This will not only contribute to global agricultural sustainability and food security for many, but also drive significant shareholder value. Investors are invited to join Millennial Potash on this exciting journey. As the company advances towards production, the Banio Potash Project promises to play a critical role in meeting the growing global demand for potash fertilizers, ensuring food security, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.