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

北欧农业矿物公司(BAI)探索、开发和生产有机批准的农用矿物肥料和土壤改良剂产品。该公司的主要肥料材料来自位于安大略省萨德伯里西北约55公里处的西班牙河碳酸盐岩(SRC)的外核。采石量有限，因为重新造林和覆盖30米厚的土地造成露出地面的不良影响。因此，SRC不同区域内重要的含磷(P)和含钾(K)矿物的相对分布、类型和内部结构仍鲜为人知。BAI的目标是在有机和常规农业实践中使用最纯净和最理想的矿物，这将把采石对周围动植物的负面影响降至最低。**磷灰石类矿物占SRC矿物学的12%。这些矿物质是P和K的极好来源，P和K对植物生长至关重要，是生命所必需的营养物质。评估磷灰石矿物在SRC不同区域的分布、类型和结构，将有助于确定哪些磷灰石矿物种类最活跃，应作为采石目标。**我们将通过以下方式研究SRC的磷灰石组矿物：1)研究和采样暴露在地表和SRC已开发的采石场中的矿床；2)测井和采样BAI和皇家安大略省博物馆(ROM)持有的钻芯；3)使用阴极发光(CL)光谱仪分析磷灰石组矿物，以确定每种矿物的带和结构；以及4)使用电子显微探针分析磷灰石组矿物，以确定不同矿物带的化学成分。这一结果将有助于BAI提取最具反应潜力的肥料材料。******

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. ******