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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/lithium-powers-ahead/story-fnciihm9-1227635713687

• THE AUSTRALIAN
• DECEMBER 7, 2015 12:00AM
• ROBIN BROMBY

Potash deals
It seems potash still fires up some investors, at least when it involves extracting it from old brine lakes (much cheaper than deep underground mining).

During the week Goldphyre Resources (GPH) did a deal with the prospector who has become a legend in his lifetime. Mark Creasy’s company handed over 1000sq km of ground adjacent to GPH’s Lake Wells sulphate of potash project, 500km northeast of Kalgoorlie. In return, Creasy gets shares that make him the company’s largest shareholder with 19.9 per cent. The news sent GPH shares up 22.4 per cent.

And we have a new mining float, something not too common in these difficult times. River Rock Energy (RRR) is seeking $4m to explore 2884sq km of ground in the Canning Basin of Western Australia. It already has a land access agreement with the Martu people. As with GPH, this is sulphate of potash, the premium form of the fertiliser mineral that is low in chloride, therefore suited to sensitive, high-value crops. RRR’s Percival Lakes project is on the same historic river system that served Lake Disappointment, the latter held by Reward Minerals (RWD). RWD claims its project to be the largest and highest grade SOP brine resource in the world and is moving to its prefeasibility study phase.

Also gearing up for a PFS on a brine resource, this time in the Northern Territory, is Rum Jungle Resources (RUM) at Karinga Lakes.