Modern Mining February 2021

POTASH

Major milestone for Khemisset Potash Project

In a major milestone in the development of what is to become the first large-scale potash mine in Africa, Emmerson Plc has been granted a mining licence by the Moroccan Ministry of Energy, Mines and the Environment for its 100% owned Khemisset Potash Project. By Munesu Shoko .

H aving submitted its application in Q4 2020, Emmerson Plc, the Moroccan focused potash development company, has received its min- ing licence, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Khemisset project. The min- ing licence provides the company with the exclusive right to develop and mine the potash deposit, within the perimeter of the mining licence in the Khemisset basin ahead of the anticipated initiation of construc- tion by end 2021. The granting of the mining licence follows a suc- cessful application process, including the submission of a proven, JORC compliant mineral resource esti- mate, and the confirmed technical and economic

Graham Clarke, Emmerson’s CEO.

viability of the project, which was satisfied by the fea- sibility study. In fact, the feasibility study highlighted Khemisset’s outstanding attributes, including indus- try leading capital and operating costs and delivered an initial life of mine of 19 years, based on less than 50% of the global resource base for the project. Importantly, the mining licence encompasses the full resource base, allowing simple expansion of the

Drilling at Khemisset Potash Project in Morocco.

12  MODERN MINING  February 2021