PhosCo (ASX:PHO) reports metallurgical tests at its Gasaat Phosphate Project in Tunisia have produced premium phosphate concentrate grades of up to 34% diphosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) using a simplified single‑stage flotation process.
The company says the results represent the ‘highest concentrate grades ever’ achieved at Gasaat and open the potential for significant price premiums in phosphate markets.
“These results are a major breakthrough for PhosCo because they highlight the potential for our product to attract a substantial price premium,” Managing Director Taz Aldaoud says.
“This top-quality product would be highly sought after. This is shown by the fact that phosphate rock with similar characteristics trades at a material premium to regional benchmarks due to its scarcity and cost benefits for transport and downstream processing.”
The metallurgical tests were conducted on samples from the KM prospect at Bureau Veritas Minerals in Adelaide.
Five flotation tests achieved concentrate grades ranging from 31.4% to 34% P2O5 with recoveries between 73.5% and 77.8%.
Four tests delivered grades above 33% P2O5, significantly exceeding the generally traded grade of 29% to 32% P2O5 used in phosphate fertiliser production.
The tests also recorded very low silica contents between 2.42% and 3.2%, while minor element ratios of 0.044–0.059 represent the lowest ever recorded for Gasaat.
The results verify the company’s simplified beneficiation process developed during 2026, confirming that ‘high‑grade’ concentrates can be achieved through a single‑stage rougher‑cleaner flotation circuit rather than the more complex two‑stage process originally proposed.
The simplified process reduces technical risk and complexity compared to the original Jacobs Engineering design, which was based on composite samples from three phosphate layers.
The new approach focuses on layer B of the KM deposit and eliminates the need for re‑cleaning stages.
PhosCo has delayed its updated Scoping Study to October 2026 to incorporate the new metallurgical results and optimise project economics. Further testwork will examine ore variability across the KM deposit and other Gasaat prospects.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: PhosCo
