Verde AgriTech Ltd (TSX: “NPK”)
(“
Verde” or the “
Company”) is
pleased to announce a strategic partnership with WayCarbon to
bolster the development and monetization of its carbon removal
project.
WayCarbon is 80% owned by Banco Santander, one
of Europe's largest banks. It is a leading developer of carbon
removal projects and a pioneer in climate change mitigation and
sustainability solutions. The partnership is based on Verde’s
specialty multi-nutrient potassium fertilizer K Forte® (the
“Product”) and its potential to permanently
capture CO2 through Enhanced Rock Weathering.
“This partnership with WayCarbon marks a new
chapter for Verde. It represents a crucial step towards
monetization of Verde’s own significant carbon removal potential
and allows the Company to collaborate on new projects with Brazil’s
most credible carbon developer. WayCarbon has been active in this
sector since 2006 making it a veteran with a success record to
match. I believe that the combination of our attributes has the
potential to spawn one of the world's largest carbon removal
platforms,” celebrated Cristiano Veloso, Verde’s Founder and
CEO.
WayCarbon has a history of high-quality carbon
projects in Brazil. Within the partnership, WayCarbon will support
Verde with the development, certification, marketing and
monetization of its carbon credits. In addition to leveraging
Verde’s Product, the partnership extends its scope to encompass
Verde's origination and utilization of other minerals capable of
carbon capture through Enhanced Rock Weathering.
"We are thrilled about our partnership with
Verde AgriTech. At WayCarbon, our mission is to drive the
transition to a Net-Zero economy. This transformation is a
multi-sectoral endeavour. The distinctive properties of Verde’s
products, coupled with Verde's extensive proven mineral reserves
and their strategic proximity to key agricultural regions of the
country, present a unique opportunity to advance the
decarbonization of the Brazilian agricultural sector," extolled
Breno Rates, WayCarbon’s Founding Partner and head of Carbon
Projects.
Verde’s Carbon Removal
Potential
Located in São Gotardo within the state of Minas
Gerais, Brazil, Verde's operations are underpinned by one of the
world’s largest potash resources, at 5.9 billion tons as approved
by the Brazilian Mining Agency, of which 3.32 billion tons have
been certified under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.1
Thereupon, Verde has a total capture potential of 0.7
gigatons of CO2 from the atmosphere,2 which would establish it as
one of the world's largest carbon capture projects.
As Brazil's largest potash producer by capacity,
Verde has an annual production capacity of 3 million tons.3 With no
further CAPEX investment, the Company is capable of capturing up to
0.36 million tons of CO2 per year based on its existing production
facilities.4
About WayCarbon and
Santander
WayCarbon is a global company specializing in
solutions aimed at transitioning to a net-zero economy. Founded in
2006, it leverages scientific and business knowledge, enhanced by
technology, to support companies and governments in their climate
change and sustainability strategies.
WayCarbon boasts a portfolio of over 500 private
sector clients, in addition to extensive experience serving
multilateral organizations (UNDP, CAF, World Bank, IADB) in areas
of mitigation, adaptation, and the structuring of emission
reduction and carbon removal projects.
The company's consultancy services, specialized
software, and high-quality carbon projects are designed to support,
in an integrated manner, companies and governments on their
decarbonization journeys. Its technological solutions are utilized
by clients in 40 countries.5
In addition to its comprehensive expertise and
experience acquired over 18 years in the field of climate change
and sustainability, one of WayCarbon's differentiators is its
connection with controlling shareholder, Banco Santander.
Headquartered in Spain, Banco Santander is a global financial
institution with a significant presence in Brazil. Santander plays
an important role in supporting sustainable development and is an
active member of the Net Zero Banking Alliance, demonstrating its
solid commitment to leading innovation and promoting
sustainability.
Santander is already carbon-neutral in its own
operations and aspires to achieve net-zero emissions across the
entire group by 2050, in support of the Paris Agreement's goals
concerning climate change.6 With a large and strategic presence in
the Brazilian agricultural sector, the Bank aligns itself with the
growing demands for responsible and efficient agricultural
practices and brings with it vast financial expertise in the
sector.
Santander’s proactive approach reflects its
commitment to decarbonizing its value chain. This initiative not
only reinforces Santander's position as a leader in sustainability,
but also expands the possibilities for companies to collaborate and
partner with WayCarbon. As an integral part of this banking
ecosystem, WayCarbon is positioned to offer solutions and strategic
partnerships that transcend conventional borders. Together,
WayCarbon and Santander have the potential to promote a significant
transformation of their partners, leading them towards more
sustainable, eco-efficient practices, aligned with global
decarbonization objectives that boost the growth and
competitiveness of their businesses.
Enhanced Rock Weathering
Verde has developed partnerships with leading
British universities in Soil Science7 that have proven Verde’s
Product has the potential to capture carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere through Enhanced Rock Weathering
(“ERW”).
ERW refers to a suite of techniques aimed at
accelerating natural rock weathering, which involves the breakdown
of minerals and the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere. In
nature, the process takes centuries as the rocks’ surface is
gradually weathered down and reacts with CO2 to form new stable
carbonate minerals or bicarbonate ions, effectively removing CO2
from the atmosphere and storing it for thousands of years.
By crushing and grinding such minerals and
spreading it over large areas, ERW significantly accelerates the
absorption of CO2. The speed of mineral weathering can be
calculated using a ‘shrinking core model’, which assumes that the
reaction occurs at the surface of the mineral so that the unreacted
core gradually shrinks over time.
As detailed by an independent study conducted at
Newcastle University under the leadership of Prof. David Manning,
PhD, a renowned soil scientist, the carbon dioxide capture
properties of the Products are estimated at 120kg per ton. The
potential CO2 removal does not require any change to the Products’
production and farmland application methods, nor does it change the
nutritional benefits to plants. Thus, the Products undergo ERW to
permanently capture atmospheric CO2 while releasing potassium and
other plant nutrients.
In addition, the Product potentially undergoes
mineral dissolution in only a matter of months to a year from its
application to soils, faster than the most rapid reacting silicate
minerals (forsterite), which takes years to decades for a similar
dissolution. Mineral dissolution is directly correlated to the
capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the faster the
dissolution the faster the absorption of CO2. The conclusion was
reached by a commissioned study conducted by Phil Renforth, Ph.D.,
at Heriot Watt University, based on peer-reviewed publication and
commercial data.
About Verde AgriTech
Verde AgriTech is dedicated to advancing
sustainable agriculture through the innovation of specialty
multi-nutrient potassium fertilizers. Our mission is to increase
agricultural productivity, enhance soil health, and significantly
contribute to environmental sustainability. Utilizing our unique
position in Brazil, we harness proprietary technologies to develop
solutions that not only meet the immediate needs of farmers but
also address global challenges such as food security and climate
change. Our commitment to carbon capture and the production of
eco-friendly fertilizers underscores our vision for a future where
agriculture contributes positively to the health of our planet.
Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking
Statements
All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resources
estimates reported by the Company were estimated in accordance with
the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute
of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards (May 10,
2014). These standards differ significantly from the requirements
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral Resources
which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability.
This document contains "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation
and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This
information and these statements, referred to herein as
"forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this
document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or
future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions,
expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to:
- the estimated amount and grade of Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves;
- the estimated amount of CO2 removal per ton of rock;
- the PFS representing a viable development option for the
Project;
- estimates of the capital costs of constructing mine facilities
and bringing a mine into production, of sustaining capital and the
duration of financing payback periods;
- the estimated amount of future production, both produced and
sold;
- timing of disclosure for the PFS and recommendations from the
Special Committee;
- the Company’s competitive position in Brazil and demand for
potash; and,
- estimates of operating costs and total costs, net cash flow,
net present value and economic returns from an operating mine.
Any statements that express or involve
discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs,
plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance
(often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects",
"anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages",
"assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or
variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or
results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur
or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar
expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be
forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements are based on
Verde's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various
assumptions made by them and information currently available to
them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but
generally these assumptions include, but are not limited to:
- the presence of and continuity of resources and reserves at the
Project at estimated grades;
- the estimation of CO2 removal based on the chemical and
mineralogical composition of assumed resources and reserves;
- the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock
conforming to sampled results; including the quantities of water
and the quality of the water that must be diverted or treated
during mining operations;
- the capacities and durability of various machinery and
equipment;
- the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at
estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times;
- currency exchange rates;
- Super Greensand® and K Forte® sales prices, market size and
exchange rate assumed;
- appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in the
economic analysis;
- tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining
operation;
- the availability of acceptable financing under assumed
structure and costs;
- anticipated mining losses and dilution;
- reasonable contingency requirements;
- success in realizing proposed operations;
- receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals on acceptable
terms; and
- the fulfilment of environmental assessment commitments and
arrangements with local communities.
Although management considers these assumptions
to be reasonable based on information currently available to it,
they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are
made assuming the correctness of other forward-looking statements,
such as statements of net present value and internal rates of
return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking
statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also
prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs
will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable
over the relevant period.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements
involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and
specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections
and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that
assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as
a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to
differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives,
expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions
expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors
may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and
estimates expressed above do not occur as forecast, but
specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to
variations in the mineral content within the material identified as
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted;
variations in rates of recovery and extraction; the geotechnical
characteristics of the rock mined or through which infrastructure
is built differing from that predicted, the quantity of water that
will need to be diverted or treated during mining operations being
different from what is expected to be encountered during mining
operations or post closure, or the rate of flow of the water being
different; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to
fluctuations in the Brazilian Real relative to the Canadian dollar;
increases in the estimated capital and operating costs or
unanticipated costs; difficulties attracting the necessary work
force; increases in financing costs or adverse changes to the terms
of available financing, if any; tax rates or royalties being
greater than assumed; changes in development or mining plans due to
changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in
project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating
to receipt of regulatory approvals; delays in stakeholder
negotiations; changes in regulations applying to the development,
operation, and closure of mining operations from what currently
exists; the effects of competition in the markets in which Verde
operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional
risks described in Verde's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR
in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) for the year ended December
31, 2021. Verde cautions that the foregoing list of factors that
may affect future results is not exhaustive.
When relying on our forward-looking statements
to make decisions with respect to Verde, investors and others
should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other
uncertainties and potential events. Verde does not undertake to
update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that
may be made from time to time by Verde or on our behalf, except as
required by law.
For additional information please
contact:
Cristiano Veloso, Chief
Executive Officer and Founder
Tel: +55 (31) 3245 0205;
Email: investor@verde.ag
www.verde.ag | www.investor.verde.ag
___________________
1 Combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 1.47
billion tons at 9.28% K2O and an inferred mineral resource of 1.85
billion tons at 8.60% K2O (using a 7.5% K2O cut-off grade). As per
the National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects within Canada (“NI 43 -101”), filed on SEDAR in 2022. For
further information, see the Pre-Feasibility Study at:
https://investor.verde.ag/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NI-43-101-Pre-Feasibility-Technical-Report-for-the-Cerrado-Verde-Project.pdf
2 The carbon capture potential of Verde's products, through
Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), is 120 kg CO2e per ton of K Forte®.
For further information, see “Verde’s Products Remove Carbon
Dioxide From the Air”.3 Verde is currently fully licensed to
produce up to 2.8 million tons per year of its Products and has
submitted mining and environmental applications for an additional
25 million tpy awaiting approval.4 One carbon credit is equivalent
to one metric ton of carbon dioxide captured.5 Learn more
at: https://waycarbon.com/sobre-a-waycarbon/6 Learn more
at: https://www.bancosantander.es/en/santander-sostenible/empresas7
See “Verde’s Products Remove Carbon Dioxide From the Air” and
“Verde’s Products Remove Carbon Dioxide from Air in Mere Months of
Application”.
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