Nevada phosphate drilling extends Murdock Mountain strike past 3.3 km

Nevada Organic Phosphate has extended the confirmed phosphate strike at its Murdock Mountain project in northeastern Nevada to more than 3.3 km, the company said, as reported by Mining.com.au on October 19. Hole MM26-11 intersected 28.7 meters of the Meade Peak Member, with oolitic zones typical of the Upper Phosphate Zone. Assays are pending.

The hole was drilled about 315 meters southwest of MM26-10, which cut 27 meters of the Meade Peak Member, including 3.60 meters grading 10.89% P₂O₅. CEO Robin Dow called the latest result “continued and meaningful progress de-risking our geological model.”

Drilling has been slow because holes pass through thick, silica-cemented dolomitic mudstone with chert horizons, causing blocked core barrels and lower recovery, according to director Garry Smith. The company has identified three more drill pads.

Murdock Mountain hosts a 6.6 km sedimentary phosphate bed that the company describes as organic-certifiable, with claim applications covering potential extensions of more than 30 km. The Canada-based junior is still at exploration stage, with no resource estimate or production timeline announced.

Interest in new U.S. phosphate rock is rising as sulfur costs squeeze domestic processing, with Mosaic idling its South Fort Meade operations. Direct-application organic rock could also serve organic growers who cannot use processed phosphates.

Source: Mining.com.au