rp

http://precedings.nature.com/documents/2411/version/1

sekhar dmr on 09 November 2008 19:30 UTC

Dear George Hebbard,

There is a sudden crisis for phosphatic fertilizers world over due to non availability of high grade rock phosphate mineral suitable for the production of these fertilizers. Around 150 million tons of rock phosphate is produced every year 90% of which goes into the production of di ammonium phosphate [DAP] a known phosphatic fertilizer. The crisis is mainly due to depletion of the minable reserves. Mining of Nauru deposit is no more feasible due to the problems of dewatering. The remaining deposits in Senegal are not enough to run the phosphoric acid plant there at even 50%. Israel stopped exporting rock phosphate mineral and instead opted for value added down stream products. China and South Africa stopped the export of rock phosphate. USA a rock phosphate exporting country is now importing the mineral. India is successful in producing high grade phosphate concentrate treating the low grade ores. However India’s high grade phosphate mineral production is only 10% of its requirement.