PhosCo’s KM discovery delivers standout phosphate grades in Tunisia

PhosCo Ltd has unveiled exceptional maiden drilling results from the KM prospect within its 100%-owned Gasaat Phosphate Project in Tunisia, marking a pivotal milestone in the company’s exploration and development efforts. The discovery confirms the presence of thick, shallow, high-grade phosphate mineralization located conveniently near the proposed processing plant, key factors that significantly enhance the project’s economic potential and accelerate its development pathway. These results establish KM as one of Tunisia’s most promising new phosphate finds and strengthen PhosCo’s position as an emerging player in North Africa’s fertilizer mineral sector.

The standout intercept, 52.95 meters grading 22.34% P₂O₅ from a depth of 53.2 meters, including zones of up to 26.79% P₂O₅, demonstrates both grade continuity and mineral thickness rarely encountered in comparable Tunisian deposits. Additional holes returned similarly robust results, such as 32.8 meters at 21.93% P₂O₅ and 34.9 meters at 20.19% P₂O₅, with multiple high-grade sub-intervals exceeding 27% P₂O₅. Notably, nine individual samples surpassed the 28% threshold, placing KM among the highest-grade phosphate discoveries in the region. The mineralization’s shallow depth and low strip ratio, meaning minimal waste rock removal, is expected to reduce mining costs and support strong early-stage cash flow once production begins.

The company’s technical team reports that the mineralization has been validated through both core assays and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyses, confirming data consistency and reliability. With these encouraging results, PhosCo will now proceed with preliminary metallurgical testing to determine the optimal processing route for phosphate concentrate production. In parallel, the company’s drilling rig has moved to the nearby SAB prospect for confirmatory drilling to support an upcoming resource update, after which it will return to KM for infill and step-out drilling to expand the known mineralized footprint.

PhosCo’s Managing Director, Taz Aldaoud, described the KM results as confirmation of “a discovery with the potential to be fast-tracked into the production timeline,” highlighting strong community and governmental support for the project. This local backing, combined with the project’s favorable logistics and proximity to Tunisia’s existing phosphate infrastructure, provides a solid foundation for rapid development.

In the broader context, the KM discovery could have meaningful implications for Tunisia’s mining and fertilizer industries. Phosphate is a vital component in global agriculture, and demand continues to grow amid concerns over food security and soil nutrient depletion. With projects like Gasaat, Tunisia could strengthen its position as a key phosphate supplier, diversify its mining portfolio beyond traditional state-operated assets, and attract new foreign investment into its mineral sector. For PhosCo, the discovery marks a decisive step toward becoming a significant producer in the Mediterranean phosphate corridor, supporting both national economic development and the global fertilizer supply chain.

Mini-Glossary

• Phosphate (P₂O₅): A naturally occurring mineral used in the production of fertilizers, essential for global agriculture.
• Strip Ratio: The ratio of waste material to ore mined; a lower strip ratio means more efficient and cost-effective extraction.
• pXRF (Portable X-ray Fluorescence): A handheld analytical tool used to rapidly determine the chemical composition of rock samples in the field.
• Metallurgical Testing: Laboratory analysis that determines how best to process ore to recover valuable minerals.
• Infill Drilling: Drilling conducted between existing holes to increase confidence in resource estimates.
• Step-Out Drilling: Drilling beyond known mineralized zones to test for potential extensions of the deposit.