Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP; OTCQB: NOPFF) announced that heavy metal contaminant assays from the Upper Phosphatic Zone at its Murdock Mountain project returned results significantly below maximum allowable thresholds under AAPFCO's SUIP #25 standards. These standards are widely used by U.S. states and organic certifiers to assess fertilizer safety. The weighted-average results for key metals, including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, and zinc, were materially below limits applicable to rock phosphate containing 10% P₂O₅.
This development supports the project's eligibility for Organic Fertilizer Certification under USDA National Organic Program guidelines. Management stated that the results validate the project's proof of concept by demonstrating consistent P₂O₅ grades and thicknesses alongside low contaminant levels. The findings position the Upper Phosphatic Zone as a differentiated, organically certifiable phosphate resource with scale and continuity suitable for further resource development and expanded drilling.
The importance of this announcement lies in the growing global demand for organic agricultural products and the corresponding need for certified organic inputs. Conventional phosphate fertilizers often contain heavy metal contaminants that can accumulate in soils and enter the food chain, raising environmental and health concerns. A domestic source of organically certifiable phosphate could reduce reliance on imports and provide U.S. organic farmers with a secure, compliant supply of this essential nutrient.
For the industry, a verified large-scale organic phosphate deposit in North America addresses a critical supply chain gap. The project's location in northeast Nevada, with its 6.6-kilometer-long organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate bed and potential strike extending over 30 kilometers, suggests significant scale. Its proximity to transportation infrastructure, including a main highway and rail head, could facilitate efficient distribution to key agricultural markets, particularly in California.
The confirmation of low heavy metal levels is a crucial step toward commercial development, as it directly impacts the product's marketability and regulatory acceptance. Organic certification under USDA guidelines is a stringent process, and meeting these contaminant thresholds early in the exploration phase de-risks the project for potential investors and partners. The full press release detailing these assay results is available at https://ibn.fm/Hq5VI.
This news matters because phosphate is a non-renewable resource vital for global food production. The ability to produce it domestically in an organically certifiable form supports the sustainability and resilience of the organic farming sector. It also aligns with broader trends toward sustainable agriculture and responsible resource extraction. The project's progress will be closely watched by organic certifiers, fertilizer manufacturers, and agricultural producers seeking reliable, compliant sources of plant nutrition.
