The distribution and exploitation status of phosphate mine

Phosphate mine is mainly used for agricultural phosphate fertilizer production, industrial for the manufacture of phosphoric acid and its derivatives, such as Sodium Hypophosphite (SHPP), THPS, flame retardants and battery materials; as additives in food industry to improve taste and shelf life; in pharmaceutical and medical materials, such as calcium supplements and artificial bones; also for feed additives, water treatment and ceramic glass manufacturing. Phosphate mine plays an irreplaceable role in modern agriculture, industry and life.The current distribution and exploitation status of phosphate mineral resources in the world are as follows:

1.Distribution of phosphate mineral resources in the world

Phosphate mineral resources are unevenly distributed globally, mainly concentrated in the following countries and regions:

1.1 Morocco and the Western Sahara

-Reserve: the largest in the world, accounting for mmine than 70%.

-Main mining areas:

-Bukra (Bou Craa): Western Sahara, one of the world's largest phosphate mines.

-Holibga (Khouribga), Benggri (Benguerir), Youssuphia (Youssoufia): Central Morocco, main mining area.

-Features: high grade phosphate mine, low mining cost.

1.2 China

-Reserve: the second in the world, accounting for about 5%.

-Main distribution:

-Yunnan: Kunyang phosphate mine (the largest in China).

-Guizhou: Kaiyang phosphate mine, Wengfu phosphate mine.

-Hubei: Yichang phosphate mine, Jingxiang phosphate mine.

-Sichuan: Mabian phosphate mine, Leibo phosphate mine.

-Features: mainly high grade resources.

1.3. The United States

-Reserve: third in the world, at around 2%.

-Main distribution:

-Florida: Bone County (Bone Valley) and Bartow (Bartow).

-North Carolina: Eastern mining.

-Idaho: Southeast mining area.

-Features: high grade phosphate mine, advanced mining technology.

1.4. Russia

-Reserve: fourth in the world, at around 2%.

-Main distribution:

-Kola Peninsula: Hibene Mountains (Khibiny Mountains), the main mining area is Aatiite (Apatit).

-Siberia: Krasnoyarsk Krai (Krasnoyarsk Krai).

-Features: mainly apatite, high grade.

1.5. Jordan

-Reserve: fifth in the world, at about 1.5%.

-Main distribution:

-South and Central: Alhasa (Al-Hasa), Alabide (Al-Abiad), Alshadya (Al-Shidiya).

-Features: sedimentary phosphate mine, medium grade.

1.6. Other countries

-Brazil: Minas Geras (Patos de Minas) and Goas (Araxa).

-Egypt: sedimentary phosphate deposits along the Red Sea (Safafaga, and Kusel) and the western desert.

-Tunisia: sedimentary phosphate deposits in the Gavsa region (Metrawi, Redyev).

-South Africa: Palabua (Phalaborwa), igneous rock rock.

-Australia: Queensland and the Northern Territory.

-Peru: The Sececula Desert (Sechura Desert).

2. World status of phosphate mining

Phosphorus mining is mainly concentrated in countries with rich reserves, and the mining technology and scale vary from region to region.

2.1. Morocco and the Western Sahara

-Mining status:

-Morocco is the world's largest producer and exporter of phosphate mines with about 30 million tons annually.

-Major enterprises: Moroccan Phosphate Group (OCP), monopolizing phosphate mining and processing across the country.

-Features: low mining cost, the export is mainly to phosphate mine and phosphate fertilizer.

2.2. China

-Mining status:

-China is the world's second largest producer of phosphate mines, with an annual output of about 100 million tons.

-Major enterprises: Yuntianhua, Wengfu Group, Kaiphosphorus Group, etc.

-characteristic:

-Mainly in medium and low grade phosphate mine, which is difficult to mine.

-Environmental supervision has been strengthened in recent years, and small mines have been gradually closed.

2.3. The United States

-Mining status:

-The United States is the world's third largest producer of phosphate mine, producing about 25 million tons annually.

-Major enterprises: Meisheng Company (Mosaic), CF Industries.

-characteristic:

-Advanced mining technology, mainly in the production of phosphate fertilizer and chemical products.

-The Florida mines face environmental pressure and limited mining.

2.4. Russia

-Mining status:

-The annual output of Russian phosphate mines is about 10 million tons.

-Major enterprises: PhosAgro, EuroChem.

-characteristic:

-Mainly in apatite, mainly used for domestic phosphate fertilizer production has a long history.

2.5. Jordan

-Mining status:

-Jordan phosphate mine annual production of about 8 million tons.

-Major enterprise: Jordan Phosphate Mining Company (JPMC).

-characteristic:

-Export-oriented, with the main markets in Asia and Africa.

2.6. Other countries

-Brazil: Annual output of about 5 million tons, mainly used for domestic agriculture.

-Egypt: Annual output of about 5 million tons, exported to Europe and Asia.

-Tunisia: Annual output of about 4 million tons, exported to Europe.

-South Africa: an annual output of about 3 million tons, mainly for domestic and export.

3. Global trend in phosphate mining

3.1. Resource centralization: Morocco, China, the United States and a few other countries lead the global phosphate mine production and trade.

3.2. Environmental pressure: countries strengthen environmental supervision, small mines gradually closed, and mining costs increased.

3.3. Technological progress: efficient mining and mineral processing technology was gradually promoted, and the utilization of low-grade phosphate mine increased.

3.4. Balance between supply and demand: phosphate mineral resources are not renewable and may face the problem of resource exhaustion in the future, so recycling and recycling should be strengthened.

Sum up

-Major producers: Morocco, China, the United States, Russia, Jordan.

-Future challenges: resource depletion, environmental protection pressure, technological progress, and sustainable development.