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Archer Finds Key Fertilizer Minerals at its Sugarloaf Graphite Project
Aug. 17, 2015 09:35AM PST
Phosphate InvestingGeology for Investors reported that Archer Exploration announced that the solubility and the composition of the nutrients found at its Sugarloaf graphite deposit could be used as fertilizer and it is pursuing alternative uses for this unique type of carbon that contains soluble macro and micro nutrients.
Geology for Investors reported that Archer Exploration announced that the solubility and the composition of the nutrients found at its Sugarloaf graphite deposit could be used as fertilizer and it is pursuing alternative uses for this unique type of carbon that contains soluble macro and micro nutrients.
As quoted in the market news:
On the 29th of June of 2015, Archer Exploration released news to the ASX that the company was pursuing alternative uses of carbon sourced from their graphite Sugarloaf deposit. Samples were taken to the University of Adelaide, where they were found to contain a unique kind of carbon that contained soluble macro and micro nutrients. The solubility and the composition of these nutrient meant that the Sugarloaf deposit was in a unique position to become a fertilizer or be used to treat soil.
Fertilizers enhance the growth of plants are typically comprised of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in different ratios and in different combinations depending on the goal of fertilization. Secondarily, they include calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S) as macronutrients, and copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) as micronutrients.
Testing so far at the Sugarloaf graphite deposit has identified 9 out of the 13 nutrients required for plant growth – potassium (K), phosphorus (P) (two of three main macro nutrients) as well as magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) (secondary macro nutrients), and iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) (micronutrients).
During the tests there were differences between pelletised or raw graphite nutrient release performance, suggesting that release of nutrients could be controlled or suppressed depending on treatment. However the study suggests that it may not be necessary to mill and pelletise or coat the graphite as an even release of all available nutrients is considered advantageous.