KAPUSKASING - B.C.-based Infracon Construction wants to revive the former Agrium Phosphate Mine outside Kapuskasing.
Infracon announced Dec. 19 of it has acquired the past-producing open-pit mine from a numbered company (2333382 Ontario,) along with a Matheson processing plant, and some mineral properties.
The mine site is 40 kilometres southwest of Kapuskasing. It ceased operations in 2013.
A news release placed no dollar value on the transaction.
The assets will be managed by a subsidiary of Infracon dubbed KAP Minerals. Geoff Hampson, CEO of Infracon Construction, will steer this company.
Infracon said will “deploy substantial capital” to bring the mine back into production and provide training and jobs.
A news release said the company is working with Taykwa Tagamou Nation to craft a benefits agreement to bring employment to the community and contracting opportunities to area First Nation-owned businesses.
The focus is on the Apatite deposit and its high-quality phosphate rock that contains very low cadmium levels. The company said only five per cent of the world’s phosphate rock reserves contain low cadmium igneous rocks.
Phosphorus is a primary ingredient in commercial fertilizers and has been added by Canada and European Union to those country’s respective critical minerals list. It has applications in alternative bio-diesel and aviation fuels and in producing lithium iron phosphate batteries.
The site also contains a significant rare earth deposit within the existing tailings that Infracon said is in “strong demand as critical minerals for the North American and global markets.”
Jeff Ivan has been appointed as president and COO of Kap Minerals. He was described in the release as an accomplished professional with 35 years in the agri-minerals business.
