Junior mining company Minbos has announced a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Africa-based Foskor for a potential supply agreement from its Angola mine.
Currently, Foskor sources phosphate rock for its Richards Bay phosphoric acid-based fertilizer plant from its mine in Phalaborwa. However, Minbos suggests Foskor is exploring additional supply sources.
Under the MoU, a series of bulk samples and trials will assess Minbos’ phosphate rock for commercial suitability. Successful trials will lead to discussions on potential terms for an offtake agreement.
Technical due diligence and logistics assessments are underway to confirm the compatibility of Cabinda phosphate rock and the timing of logistics infrastructure at Port do Caio deepwater port.
Minbos Managing Director Lindsay Reed commented, “The company has been in discussions with Foskor for several months on potential collaboration. Early completion of the new deepwater Port at Caio and the ability to include Stage-2 expansion in initial construction have facilitated progress.”
Construction at Porto do Caio remains on track, with the first berth scheduled to open in December 2025, enabling export shipments from Cabinda by 2026.
The Cabinda phosphate project includes the Cácata phosphate deposit and Futila fertilizer plant, projecting a 20-year operation producing 236,000 tonnes per year of fertilizer from a maiden reserve of 4.72 million tonnes at 30.1% phosphates from Cácata phosphate mine.