Avenira Starts Wonarah Sampling to Support Hebang Pricing and Customer Talks
Key Takeaways
- Avenira has started a PQ3 sampling program at its 100%-owned Wonarah Phosphate Project to support commercial specifications and pricing under the Hebang offtake.
- The Hebang agreement covers up to 500,000 tonnes per annum over four years, approximately 83% of forecast annual DSO production.
- Sample deliveries to other prospective customers are due to start this quarter, a direct step toward reducing reliance on a single buyer.
- Sampling drilling is set to finish before 30 November, with pre-strip targeted for Q4 CY2026 and first DSO shipment for H1 CY2027.
- Management says the program does not alter the Wonarah development timetable, and site mobilisation and logistics preparation are progressing in parallel.
Wonarah sampling program commenced to support offtake and customer engagement
Avenira (ASX: AEV) has commenced an additional product qualification sampling program at its 100%-owned Wonarah Phosphate Project in the Northern Territory. The program is designed to support commercial specification and pricing under the existing Hebang offtake agreement, and to engage with other prospective customers.
The company stated the program continues its commercialisation activities and does not alter the existing development timetable for Wonarah.
For you as an investor, the point is simple. The work moves Wonarah from a resource towards commercial supply, and it signals Avenira is building customer interest beyond a single buyer.
John He, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
“Wonarah is one of Australia’s largest undeveloped phosphate deposits…”
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Hebang offtake and broader customer pipeline
Four-year Hebang agreement
The sampling supports Avenira’s recently announced offtake agreement with Sichuan Hebang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“Hebang”). The key terms are:
- Counterparty: Sichuan Hebang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
- Term: four years
- Volume: up to 500,000 tonnes per annum of phosphate rock from Wonarah
- Share: approximately 83% of forecast annual direct shipping ore (DSO) production
Previous testing has established the suitability of Wonarah phosphate rock for Hebang’s downstream processing. Further bulk-sample or industrial-furnace trials contemplated under the agreement will support finalisation of commercial product specifications and associated quality and pricing parameters ahead of commercial supply.
Flexibility beyond Hebang
Avenira retains flexibility to pursue customers and pricing opportunities outside the Hebang arrangement. Sample deliveries to other prospective customers are expected to commence this quarter, as part of a broader strategy to build a diversified customer base for Wonarah phosphate products as production ramps up.
That matters because Hebang represents roughly 83% of forecast DSO output. Additional customers would reduce reliance on a single buyer.
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Direct shipping ore explained and the road to first shipment
What is DSO and why sampling matters
Direct shipping ore (DSO) is material that is mined and shipped with minimal processing. Buyers typically need representative samples to confirm quality before commercial specifications and pricing are settled.
That explains the fresh drilling. The material previously extracted from the Wonarah trial pit has been substantially utilised for product testing, marketing activities and offtake discussions, so the program uses PQ3 drilling to generate additional representative phosphate material for product qualification, industrial trials and customer engagement.
Timeline to production
The announcement sets out the following milestones. The drilling completion date is stated in the source without a year.
| Milestone | Timing | Status |
| Sampling drilling completes | Before 30 November | Underway |
| Sample deliveries to other prospective customers | Expected to commence this quarter | Planned |
| Pre-strip activities | Q4 CY2026 | Targeted |
| First DSO shipment | H1 CY2027 | Targeted |
Project development activities are progressing in parallel, including site mobilisation for pre-strip and logistics preparation.
Next on the watch list are the sample deliveries, finalised product specifications and pricing parameters, and the commencement of pre-strip activities.
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