Brazil Potash Advances Autazes Project Construction With Approval To Perform Fauna Rescue and Vegetation Suppression

Rhea-AI Summary

Brazil Potash (NYSE-American: GRO) has received approval to begin Fauna Rescue and Vegetation Suppression activities at its Autazes Potash Project in Brazil. This archaeological clearance represents a critical milestone in the project's installation phase, enabling site preparation for future shaft sinking to access the underground potash mine.

The work was planned according to Environmental Licenses issued by the Amazonas State Environmental Protection Agency (IPAAM), which authorizes construction activities. A contractor has already been selected for these services, which will follow requirements while enabling further construction of project facilities.

The project aims to provide Brazil with a domestic source of potash fertilizer, critical for the country's agricultural productivity and food security. These activities are expected to create local job opportunities for communities in Urucurituba Village, Autazes, and the surrounding region, with contracted companies prioritizing local labor.

Positive

• Archaeological clearance milestone achieved for Autazes Potash Project
• Approval to begin site preparation for future shaft sinking
• Project advances toward providing Brazil with domestic potash fertilizer source
• Local job creation expected in Urucurituba Village and surrounding areas

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Brazil Potash's approval to begin fauna rescue and vegetation suppression activities at its Autazes project represents a critical de-risking milestone in the company's development timeline. This environmental clearance removes a significant regulatory hurdle and allows the company to advance toward shaft sinking - typically one of the most technically challenging and capital-intensive phases of underground mine development.

This progress should be viewed in the context of Brazil's strategic fertilizer vulnerability. Brazil, despite being an agricultural powerhouse responsible for approximately 8% of global food production, imports over 95% of its potash needs, creating significant food security and currency exposure risks. The Autazes project, when operational, could potentially supply up to 20% of Brazil's annual potash consumption, positioning GRO as a vital domestic supplier in a market where import dependency has created persistent pricing premiums.

For investors, this milestone signals three key developments:

• Regulatory momentum is building, suggesting the company is successfully navigating Brazil's complex permitting environment
• The project is advancing toward the capital-intensive construction phase, which will likely require significant financing beyond the company's current $87.4 million market cap
• Local community engagement appears positive, with the company emphasizing local hiring - important for maintaining social license to operate in environmentally sensitive regions

While positive, investors should monitor several factors: the company's cash position relative to near-term capital requirements, the timeline for shaft construction commencement, and any updates to the project's economics given current potash prices of approximately $350-400/tonne versus historical ranges of $200-900/tonne. The relatively small market capitalization suggests either significant financing dilution is expected or the market remains skeptical about execution risks.

For development-stage mining companies like GRO, achieving sequential permitting milestones typically creates a stair-step valuation pattern rather than linear appreciation. With each de-risking event, the probability-weighted net present value should theoretically increase, potentially creating re-rating opportunities as the project advances toward production.

Archaeological clearance is a key milestone and allows Brazil Potash to begin critical site preparation activities for future shaft sinking

Fauna Rescue and Vegetation Suppression expected to create local job opportunities for communities in Urucurituba Village, Autazes, and the surrounding region

MANAUS, Brazil, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazil Potash Corp. (“Brazil Potash” or the “Company”) (NYSE-American: GRO), a developer and builder of Brazil’s largest potash fertilizer project, announced today that its subsidiary Potássio do Brasil Ltda. (“Potássio do Brasil”) has received approval to begin Fauna Rescue and Vegetation Suppression activities in the mine area of the Autazes Potash Project (the “Project”). This represents an important milestone in the Project’s installation phase, as it will allow for the subsequent excavation of two deep shafts to access the underground potash mine.

The scope of work was planned and designed by Potássio do Brasil in accordance with the Environmental Licenses issued by the Amazonas State Environmental Protection Agency, IPAAM, which authorizes the Company to perform the Project’s construction activities. These activities will follow a logical schedule to meet all environmental agency requirements while enabling further construction of the Project facilities.

“The contractor for the Fauna Rescue and Vegetation Suppression services has already been selected. We are taking another vital step in developing the Project, ensuring that there will be no interference with the preservation of Amazonian cultural heritage for future generations,” said Adriano Espeschit, president of Potássio do Brasil, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary. “The Project areas have been the subject of thorough prior studies, as approved in our submissions to IPAAM and IPHAN. Each milestone we achieve brings us closer to providing Brazil with a domestic source of potash fertilizer, which is critical for the country's agricultural productivity and food security," added Espeschit.

“We will be creating more direct and indirect job opportunities in Vila de Urucurituba, in Autazes, and the region, with contracted companies prioritizing local labor,” emphasized Raphael Bloise, Project Director at Potássio do Brasil and directly responsible for the work in Autazes.

About Brazil Potash

Brazil Potash (NYSE-American: GRO) (www.brazilpotash.com) is developing Brazil’s largest potash project to supply sustainable fertilizers to one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters. Brazil is critical for global food security as the country has amongst the highest amounts of fresh water, arable land, and an ideal climate for year-round crop growth, but it is vulnerable as it imported over 95% of its potash fertilizer in 2021, despite having what is anticipated to be one of the world’s largest undeveloped potash basins in its own backyard. The potash produced will be transported primarily using low-cost river barges on an inland river system in partnership with Amaggi (www.amaggi.com.br), one of the Brazil’s largest farmers and logistical operators of agricultural products. With an initial planned annual potash production of up to 2.4 million tons per year, Brazil Potash’s management believes it could potentially supply approximately 20% of the current potash demand in Brazil. Management anticipates 100% of Brazil Potash’s production will be sold domestically to reduce Brazil’s reliance on potash imports while concurrently mitigating approximately 1.4 million tons per year of GHG emissions.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not historical facts. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates” “believes” and “intends” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including statements relating to vegetation suppression and fauna rescue, the archeological monitoring, rescue program and heritage education for the Autazes Project, the planned construction of the Autazes Project, the benefits of such project and the creation of local jobs are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, for the IPO filed with the SEC in connection with the IPO, and the supplemented PREP prospectus filed in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Québec. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based, unless required by law.

Contact:
Brazil Potash Investor Relations
info@brazilpotash.com

FAQ

What milestone did Brazil Potash (GRO) recently achieve for its Autazes Project?

Brazil Potash received approval to begin Fauna Rescue and Vegetation Suppression activities in the mine area, representing an archaeological clearance milestone that allows for site preparation for future shaft sinking.

How will the Fauna Rescue and Vegetation Suppression approval impact GRO's construction timeline?

The approval allows Brazil Potash to begin critical site preparation activities that will enable the subsequent excavation of two deep shafts to access the underground potash mine, advancing the project's installation phase.

What economic benefits will GRO's Autazes Project bring to local communities?

The project is expected to create direct and indirect job opportunities in Vila de Urucurituba, Autazes, and the surrounding region, with contracted companies prioritizing local labor.

What regulatory approvals has Brazil Potash (GRO) secured for the Autazes Project?

Brazil Potash has secured Environmental Licenses from the Amazonas State Environmental Protection Agency (IPAAM) and approval from IPHAN (National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute) for archaeological clearance.

What is the strategic importance of GRO's Autazes Potash Project for Brazil?

The project aims to provide Brazil with a domestic source of potash fertilizer, which is critical for the country's agricultural productivity and food security, reducing dependence on imports.