HOUSTON, Jan. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itafos (TSXV:IFOS) today announced the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the Conda Phosphate Operations from Agrium Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nutrien Ltd., and the appointment of Ron Wilkinson to the board of directors of the company.
The Conda Phosphate Operations, located in Conda, Idaho, which include phosphate production facilities and adjacent phosphate mineral rights, produces approximately 540,000 metric tons per year of mono-ammonium phosphate, super phosphoric acid, merchant grade phosphoric acid and specialty products and serves the North American fertilizer market.
Mr. Wilkinson retired from Agrium in February 2016 after a career spanning 40 years in the fertilizer industry. He served as Senior Vice President and President of Agrium’s Wholesale Business Unit from 2004 through September 2015. In this role Mr. Wilkinson was responsible for manufacturing operations for 12 production sites, along with the associated supply chain, sales, marketing and distribution. Prior to this role, he held various positions of increasing responsibility with Agrium, Viridian, Sherritt and Imperial Oil/Exxon Chemical. Mr. Wilkinson has served on various boards, including the Canadian Fertilizer Institute, Profertil S.A. and Canoptex. Mr. Wilkinson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta.
“Itafos continues to deliver on its strategic objective of becoming a leading global player in the phosphate fertilizer industry,” said Brian Zatarain, Chief Executive Officer of Itafos. “We are pleased to have closed this transformative transaction and look forward to working with Mr. Wilkinson who further strengthens the leadership of the company with extensive industry experience and a successful track record of driving profitable growth.”
About Itafos
Itafos is an integrated producer of phosphate fertilizers with an attractive portfolio of long-term strategic assets. Itafos is managed by an experienced and diverse team with extensive commercial, financial, legal and technical expertise. Itafos owns the Conda Phosphate Operations, which produces approximately 540,000 tons per year of mono-ammonium phosphate, super phosphoric acid, merchant grade phosphoric acid and specialty products located in Idaho, United States and the Arraias Phosphate Operations which produces approximately 500,000 tons per year of single super phosphate located in central Brazil. Itafos’ development portfolio includes a number of additional projects in Brazil, including the Santana Project, a high-grade phosphate mine project located in Pará State and the Araxá Project, a high-grade rare earth elements, niobium and phosphate mine project located in Minas Gerais State. In addition, Itafos owns the Paris Hills Project, a high-grade phosphate mine project located in Idaho, United States, the Mantaro Project, a high-grade phosphate mine project located in Junin, Peru and an approximate 31.3% interest in GB Minerals Ltd. which owns the Farim Project, a high-grade phosphate mine project located in Farim, Guinea Bissau.
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