About

Our business commenced with the incorporation of Norwest Chemicals in Singapore. We then acquired a 60% equity interest in Mianzhu Norwest in a sino-foreign joint venture with our then PRC business partner. Mianzhu Norwest is a PRC incorporated company with ISO 9001 certification.

We commenced our downstream processing operations at Hanwang Town, Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province, PRC, using phosphate rocks obtained from third parties, and produced P4, thermal phosphoric acid and SHMP.

We believe that we were the first to produce heavy-density STPP in the PRC. We believe that granular heavy-density STPP commands higher commercial value than powder low-density STPP as the former has wider applications.

We are able to produce over 10 different food and industrial-grade products. This provides us with the flexibility to vary our product mix according to market demands to maximise gross margins.

Mianzhu Norwest attained ISO 9001 (2000) and 14001 environmental management system certification. We believe that we were one of the few phosphate-based chemicals producer in PRC to receive such accreditation at the time.

As part of our vertical integration strategy, we acquired two mining rights in Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province, PRC, for the Cheng Qiang Yan (CQY) and Shi Sun Xi (SSX) deposits. We have begun extracting phosphate rocks at CQY.

With these acquisitions, we became a vertically integrated producer of phosphate-based chemical products, combining phosphate mines with downstream processing capacity. In 2003, we also acquired full equity interests in Mianzhu Norwest from our PRC business partner, becoming a wholly foreign-owned enterprise—a significant milestone as mineral resources in the PRC are typically held by domestic enterprises.

We began extracting phosphate rocks at Mine 2 after completing preparatory work. Our operations were disrupted by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake near Sichuan Province, PRC on May 12, 2008, which damaged access roads, infrastructure, and caused loss of life. We received exploration certificates from PRC authorities to increase mining depth and cover additional areas.

We acquired two new sites in Gongxing Industrial Zone, Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province, totaling about 148,000 square meters, for relocating, rebuilding, and expanding our processing facilities. We also restored operations and fully compensated employees affected by the earthquake according to PRC laws.

Access roads to the Mines were re-opened in the first half of 2010 and we begin the restoration of the surface facilities of our mines.

In light of the evolving environmental regulations implemented by the Chinese government, we have made the strategic decision to cease all phosphate mining operations.

This change reflects our dedication to compliance with national environmental policies and our commitment to sustainable practices. Shifting our focus away from phosphate mining, we are now prioritizing the development and implementation of solar and clean energy solutions, reinforcing our mission to contribute positively to the environment and promote a greener future.

The company initiated international arbitration procedures. This action was taken to address and resolve issues pertaining to regulatory changes and their impact on our operations.

Our aim is to seek a fair and equitable resolution through the arbitration process, ensuring the protection of our investments and the continued pursuit of our business objectives.

The company has launched a strategic initiative to diversify its business portfolio by investing in renewable energy projects. This move marks a significant shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions, including solar, and other clean energy technologies.

By expanding into the renewable energy sector, the company aims to contribute to global efforts to combat climate change, reduce its carbon footprint, and secure long-term growth and stability.