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North West Phosphate begins mining Paradise South in outback Queensland amid global demand for fertiliser, renewables

ABC North West Qld

/ By Julia André and Larissa Waterson

Posted Fri 13 Oct 2023 at 6:47amFriday 13 Oct 2023 at 6:47am

The Paradise South phosphate reserve will be mined near Mount Isa.(ABC News: Baz Ruddick)

abc.net.au/news/north-west-phosphate-paradise-south-queensland-fertiliser/102962526

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One of Australia's largest phosphate deposits will be mined and producing concentrate by early 2024 as global demand increases for the mineral.

Key points:

• Countries that have relied on Africa and China for phosphate are urgently seeking new providers
• Increasing populations are driving demand for fertiliser while phosphate batteries are a growing market
• Costs, transport limitations and infrastructure are challenges for budding Australian phosphate miners

Australian mining company North West Phosphate holds about 65,000 square kilometres of untapped tenements in north-west Queensland, and will spend $350 million to begin mining one of its largest sites, Paradise South, in March.

A global decrease in the quality of phosphate being mined as well as growing investor interest in ethical mining projects created a strong opportunity for Australia's budding phosphate industry, the company's managing director, John Cotter, said.

"Up until recently, countries like Morocco and China essentially dominated the market but the prices are currently at a sweet spot for us," Mr Cotter said.

"That is being driven by growing populations that need to be fed and therefore a growing need for fertiliser coinciding with a decrease in the quality of phosphate coming out of those major producers.

Granulated and pulverised phosphate rock fertiliser.(Supplied: Fertoz)