John Kahlbetzer

Argentinian born and domiciled John Kahlbetzer is one of the largest landowners in the world, especially in Australia, where he spends much of his time, and is also known as a prize winning yachtsman.

Through his UCL Resources company, Kahlbetzer has built up a 45% ownership in the Sandpiper phosphate project, off the coast of Naimiba, which is also 45% owned by Minemakers Ltd.

As the Mining Journal commented in March 2012: "With 32% of UCL under his belt, and a personal fortune estimated to be more than US$700 million [he] could easily acquire both of [these] ASX-listed companies" [MJ 16 March 2012].

The "fit" between Kahlbezter's agrcultural interests and the Sandpiper deposit is obvious - phosphates are one of the two most important sources of fertiliser.

UCL also faces challenges, associated with the projest's somewhat messy corporate ownership structure and the fact that, if it comes on -stream (under-stream?) it would be the world's first offshore phosphates mine [MJ ibid].