Apatite Group Minerals in the Spanish River Carbonatite- a tool for targeted extraction********

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Boreal Agrominerals Inc. (BAI) explores for, develops and produces organic approved agromineral fertilizers and soil amendment products. The company's main source of fertilizer material is quarried from the outer core of the Spanish River Carbonatite (SRC), located approximately 55 km NW of Sudbury, Ontario. Quarried quantities are limited due to poor outcrop exposure resulting from reforestation and overburden >30 m thick on the property. Consequently, the relative distribution, types and internal textures of significant phosphorous (P)- and potassium (K)-bearing minerals within the different zones of the SRC remain poorly known. BAI aims to target the purest and most optimal minerals for use in organic and conventional farming practices, which will minimize the negative effects of quarrying to the surrounding flora and fauna.**Apatite group minerals account for 12% of the SRC mineralogy. These minerals are excellent sources of P and K, which are vital for plant growth and are essential nutrients for life. Evaluating the distribution, types and textures of apatite minerals throughout the different zones of the SRC will enable determination of which apatite mineral varieties are most reactive and should be targeted for quarrying. In addition to the environmental benefits of focused quarrying, the increased efficiency will result in BAI becoming even more competitive in the organic agriculture marketplace on a global scale.**We will investigate apatite group minerals in the SRC by: 1) studying and sampling deposits exposed at the surface and in quarries already developed in the SRC, 2) logging and sampling drill core held by BAI and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), 3) analyzing apatite group minerals using cathodoluminesce (CL) spectroscopy to identify zones and textures in each mineral, and 4) analyzing apatite group minerals using an electron microprobe to determine the chemical compositions of the different mineral zones. The results will assist BAI in extracting fertilizer material with the greatest potential of reactivity. ******