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

Boreal Agrominerals Inc. （BAI）探索、开发和生产经批准的有机农用矿物肥料和土壤改良剂产品。该公司的主要肥料原料来自位于安大略省萨德伯里西北约55公里的西班牙河碳酸盐岩（SRC）的外核。由于重新造林和覆盖层厚度达30米导致露头暴露不足，采石量有限。因此，对于SRC不同带内重要的含磷和含钾矿物的相对分布、类型和内部结构仍然知之甚少。BAI的目标是在有机和传统农业实践中使用最纯净和最理想的矿物质，这将最大限度地减少采石对周围动植物的负面影响。**磷灰石群矿物占SRC矿物学的12%。这些矿物质是磷和钾的极好来源，这对植物生长至关重要，是生命必需的营养物质。评估SRC不同区域磷灰石矿物的分布、类型和结构，将有助于确定哪些磷灰石矿物品种最具活性，应该作为采石的目标。除了集中采石的环境效益外，效率的提高将使BAI在全球范围内的有机农业市场上更具竞争力。**我们将通过以下方式研究SRC中的磷灰石群矿物：1)研究和采样在SRC已经开发的地表和采石场暴露的矿床，2)测井和采样由BAI和皇家安大略博物馆（ROM）持有的钻芯，3)使用阴极发光（CL）光谱分析磷灰石群矿物，以确定每种矿物的区域和结构，4)使用电子显微探针分析磷灰石群矿物，以确定不同矿物区域的化学成分。该结果将有助于BAI提取具有最大反应潜力的肥料原料。* * * * * *

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. ******