PRL Global revives Ardmore mine with first major shipment from Townsville

A mining company has defied industry expectations by shipping 25,000 tonnes of phosphate from a previously failed mine in record time.

PRL Group's Nick Gan was delighted to see their mine back in operation and exporting from the Port of Townsville with 72 days. Picture: Supplied.

A mining company has defied expectations by resuming major export operations through the Port of Townsville within 72 days of acquiring a mothballed phosphate mine in north west Queensland.

Located 125km south of Mount Isa, the Ardmore Phosphate Mine was one of only two Australian mines producing commercial quantities of phosphate concentrate before it ran into trouble when its owner Centrex went into voluntary administration earlier this year.

PRL Global Limited stepped in to acquire the Ardmore Phosphate Mine in September 2025, rebranding it as PRL Admore, and recommencing operations and shipments.

The mine’s revival culminated with the first 25,000t shipment of phosphate rock being exported from Berth 8 of the Port of Townsville on November 26, after it had been transported in containers from the mine to Mount Isa by road, then railed to the port for storage.

Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone (MITEZ) chief executive Officer Maria James said plenty of work had been done towards remobilising the mine and gaining the necessary approvals to restart operations.

Aerial view of the Ardmore Phosphate Mine (PRL Admore) which has been acquired and reactivated by PRL Global Limited. Picture: Supplied.

“What a brilliant outcome that PRL has developed pit to port operations in such a short time frame … (their) considered and measured approach is commendable,” Ms James said.

“MITEZ is proud to have PRL as a member, their innovative and tenacious approach to getting the mine up and running together with their commitment to the local community of Dajarra and the North West, and the flow on effects for the entire logistic MITEZ corridor supply chain is welcome and timely.”

PRL Group Chief Executive Officer Nick Gan was delighted to see their mine back in operation and exporting with 72 days. Picture: Supplied.

PRL Group chief executive Nick Gan said it was an “incredible achievement” for the first shipment to be delivered for export within 72 days of taking over the Ardmore operation.

“I would like to recognise the efforts of the Ardmore team and all of our partners who have been working with us to achieve this result, including the Port of Townsville, Aurizon, Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS), Glencore, Qube and the Queensland State Government,” he said.

Containers of phosphate rock transported by truck to Mount Isa from the Ardmore Phosphate Mine. Picture: Supplied.

Port of Townsville General Manager Business Development Drew Penny said recommencing export operations had been a smooth process, which had positive impacts for the region, and “again demonstrates the importance of the Mount Isa to Townsville supply has in supporting the economy”.

Glencore’s Townsville Manager for Refinery and Port Operations, Paul Taylor, said this was another example of the integrated Mount Isa to Townsville industrial supply chain at work.

A ship was loaded with phosphate rock for export to New Zealand from Berth 8 at the Port of Townsville. Picture: Supplied.

“Glencore’s Berth 8 shiploader already handles our own and third-party products, including metal concentrates and fertiliser, bound for international markets,” Mr Taylor said.

“Working with PRL Group is a natural extension of our operations that connect the mineral wealth of the northwest region to global customers.”

Originally published as PRL Global revives Ardmore mine with first major shipment from Townsville