Latest news with #TresEstradas
Sydney Morning Herald
24-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Aguia Brazilian phosphate project ramps up as fertiliser prices surge
Phosphate prices are booming, and Aguia Resources appears to be riding the wave straight into early cash flows at its Tres Estradas phosphate project in Brazil. Global phosphate prices have jumped as much as 70 per cent in the past year, with Aguia now forecasting a sale price of $200–$230 per tonne for its flagship product. That represents a massive leap from the $120–$140 per tonne it anticipated 12 months ago. The price also compares very favourably with the alternative and largely imported monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertiliser product, which is trading at $1138 per tonne. The market tailwind delivered a major boost to Aguia's project economics, with independent modelling now projecting a phase one 14-year mine life EBITDA of between $253 million and $298 million, based on conservative price assumptions of $153 per tonne. 'This is developing as a stand-alone business division in Brazil with its own strong growth curve.' Aguia Resources executive chairman Warwick Grigor However, with current prices almost 30 per cent higher than the assumed price in modelling, it's anyone's guess how much further those EBITDA numbers could improve when first sales kick in. Production is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026 at an initial rate of 100,000 tonnes of phosphate per annum, with the company targeting a fast ramp-up to 300,000 tonnes. It has cleverly sidestepped the usual capital expenditure headaches by securing a lease on an existing processing plant operated by Brazilian firm Dagoberto Barcelos, shaving years and millions off its development timelines and costs. Instead of shelling out $26 million for a greenfield build, Aguia's revamped plan will see it spend $3.2 million to get into production, with a further $4.2 million earmarked for capacity expansion. That equates to a total capital outlay of $7.4 million, less than a third of the company's original estimate. Operating costs are similarly lean. Cash costs, including plant leasing, are pegged at $55–$70 per tonne, leaving the company in pole position to generate juicy margins from the get-go.
The Age
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Aguia Brazilian phosphate project ramps up as fertiliser prices surge
Phosphate prices are booming, and Aguia Resources appears to be riding the wave straight into early cash flows at its Tres Estradas phosphate project in Brazil. Global phosphate prices have jumped as much as 70 per cent in the past year, with Aguia now forecasting a sale price of $200–$230 per tonne for its flagship product. That represents a massive leap from the $120–$140 per tonne it anticipated 12 months ago. The price also compares very favourably with the alternative and largely imported monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertiliser product, which is trading at $1138 per tonne. The market tailwind delivered a major boost to Aguia's project economics, with independent modelling now projecting a phase one 14-year mine life EBITDA of between $253 million and $298 million, based on conservative price assumptions of $153 per tonne. 'This is developing as a stand-alone business division in Brazil with its own strong growth curve.' Aguia Resources executive chairman Warwick Grigor However, with current prices almost 30 per cent higher than the assumed price in modelling, it's anyone's guess how much further those EBITDA numbers could improve when first sales kick in. Production is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026 at an initial rate of 100,000 tonnes of phosphate per annum, with the company targeting a fast ramp-up to 300,000 tonnes. It has cleverly sidestepped the usual capital expenditure headaches by securing a lease on an existing processing plant operated by Brazilian firm Dagoberto Barcelos, shaving years and millions off its development timelines and costs. Instead of shelling out $26 million for a greenfield build, Aguia's revamped plan will see it spend $3.2 million to get into production, with a further $4.2 million earmarked for capacity expansion. That equates to a total capital outlay of $7.4 million, less than a third of the company's original estimate. Operating costs are similarly lean. Cash costs, including plant leasing, are pegged at $55–$70 per tonne, leaving the company in pole position to generate juicy margins from the get-go.
West Australian
24-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Aguia Brazilian phosphate project ramps up as fertiliser prices surge
Phosphate prices are booming, and Aguia Resources appears to be riding the wave straight into early cash flows at its Tres Estradas phosphate project in Brazil. Global phosphate prices have jumped as much as 70 per cent in the past year, with Aguia now forecasting a sale price of $200–$230 per tonne for its flagship product. That represents a massive leap from the $120–$140 per tonne it anticipated 12 months ago. The price also compares very favourably with the alternative and largely imported monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertiliser product, which is trading at $1138 per tonne. The market tailwind delivered a major boost to Aguia's project economics, with independent modelling now projecting a phase one 14-year mine life EBITDA of between $253 million and $298 million, based on conservative price assumptions of $153 per tonne. However, with current prices almost 30 per cent higher than the assumed price in modelling, it's anyone's guess how much further those EBITDA numbers could improve when first sales kick in. Production is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026 at an initial rate of 100,000 tonnes of phosphate per annum, with the company targeting a fast ramp-up to 300,000 tonnes. It has cleverly sidestepped the usual capital expenditure headaches by securing a lease on an existing processing plant operated by Brazilian firm Dagoberto Barcelos, shaving years and millions off its development timelines and costs. Instead of shelling out $26 million for a greenfield build, Aguia's revamped plan will see it spend $3.2 million to get into production, with a further $4.2 million earmarked for capacity expansion. That equates to a total capital outlay of $7.4 million, less than a third of the company's original estimate. Operating costs are similarly lean. Cash costs, including plant leasing, are pegged at $55–$70 per tonne, leaving the company in pole position to generate juicy margins from the get-go. On the marketing front, Aguia is already talking bulk offtake deals and forward sales to facilitate funding as it prepares to roll out two key products - its higher-grade 12 per cent Pampafos phosphate oxide product and its sulphur-blended 6.5 per cent Lavratto oxide. Independent field trials have shown both products can go toe-to-toe with much higher-grade Moroccan and MAP phosphate, outperforming them in some applications. Transport-wise, Aguia has signed a mine services agreement with local contractor Construsapper to haul ore from Tres Estradas to the leased plant near Caçapava do Sul, which is strategically positioned 6km from town and connected to five major regional hubs. Notably, the long-term plan involves sourcing ore closer to the plant and potentially building a dedicated processing facility down the line if demand continues to rise. With demand on the rise, Brazil's agricultural footprint is set to balloon from 300 million tonnes of grain in 2024 to 477Mt by 2035, pushing the country's appetite for phosphate-based fertilisers on a strongly upward trajectory - and playing right into Aguia's hand. Backed by independent modelling and robust field data, Aguia's strategy now looks like a textbook case of how to pivot into a rising commodity cycle without breaking the bank. If phosphate prices hold - and they're showing no signs of retreating - Aguia might be on the cusp of becoming one of the more lucrative, low-risk fertiliser plays now on the ASX. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact:
The Age
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Aguia locks in $4M loan to kick-start Brazilian phosphate production
Aguia Resources has locked in a $4 million loan from the government-owned Southern Development Bank in Brazil to refurbish the company's recently leased processing plant and kick-start mining operations at its Tres Estradas phosphate project. The 20-year loan covers the initial $118,000 capital expenditure required to kick off mining activities and fund an estimated $1.97M needed to bring the plant up to speed to process an expected 100,000 tonnes of phosphate annually. The company is eyeing processing operations beginning in January next year on its organic phosphate product, dubbed Pampafos. Recent field trials showed Pampafos rivals the performance of top-shelf imported fertilisers at a fraction of their price. Aguia recently leased its plant in Caçapava do Sul from century-old agricultural limestone firm Dagoberto Barcellos SAS. The decision to lease a suitable facility may turn out to be a masterstroke, as it avoids the need for a capital raise for a new plant and its considerable associated shareholder dilution. 'The offer of finance from a government- owned bank speaks volumes for the quality of the Tres Estradas project.' Aguia Resources executive chairman Warwick Grigor Aguia secured a 10-year lease on the fully operational Dagoberto Barcelos processing plant for what appears to be a modest $43,000 monthly fee and a one-off payment of $1.36M. After a $1.97M refurb and small capital expenditure outlay at the mine site, local mine services firm Contrasaper will then be positioned to supercharge mining activities at the project. Contrasaper's imprimatur is to undertake contract mining at the project and transport the phosphate to feed the processing facility at Caçapava do Sul, one of the oldest municipalities in the state of Rio Grande Do Sul. Aguia Resources executive chairman Warwick Grigor said: 'The offer of finance from a government- owned bank speaks volumes for the quality of the Tres Estradas project, confirming strong governmental and social support for the development. The proposed capital for the first stage of 100,000tpa of phosphate product is able to be fully funded with the availability of the bank finance. The facility will also be useful in partly financing the subsequent expansion to 300,000tpa, in due course.'
Sydney Morning Herald
17-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Aguia locks in $4M loan to kick-start Brazilian phosphate production
Aguia Resources has locked in a $4 million loan from the government-owned Southern Development Bank in Brazil to refurbish the company's recently leased processing plant and kick-start mining operations at its Tres Estradas phosphate project. The 20-year loan covers the initial $118,000 capital expenditure required to kick off mining activities and fund an estimated $1.97M needed to bring the plant up to speed to process an expected 100,000 tonnes of phosphate annually. The company is eyeing processing operations beginning in January next year on its organic phosphate product, dubbed Pampafos. Recent field trials showed Pampafos rivals the performance of top-shelf imported fertilisers at a fraction of their price. Aguia recently leased its plant in Caçapava do Sul from century-old agricultural limestone firm Dagoberto Barcellos SAS. The decision to lease a suitable facility may turn out to be a masterstroke, as it avoids the need for a capital raise for a new plant and its considerable associated shareholder dilution. 'The offer of finance from a government- owned bank speaks volumes for the quality of the Tres Estradas project.' Aguia Resources executive chairman Warwick Grigor Aguia secured a 10-year lease on the fully operational Dagoberto Barcelos processing plant for what appears to be a modest $43,000 monthly fee and a one-off payment of $1.36M. After a $1.97M refurb and small capital expenditure outlay at the mine site, local mine services firm Contrasaper will then be positioned to supercharge mining activities at the project. Contrasaper's imprimatur is to undertake contract mining at the project and transport the phosphate to feed the processing facility at Caçapava do Sul, one of the oldest municipalities in the state of Rio Grande Do Sul. Aguia Resources executive chairman Warwick Grigor said: 'The offer of finance from a government- owned bank speaks volumes for the quality of the Tres Estradas project, confirming strong governmental and social support for the development. The proposed capital for the first stage of 100,000tpa of phosphate product is able to be fully funded with the availability of the bank finance. The facility will also be useful in partly financing the subsequent expansion to 300,000tpa, in due course.'
