Morocco
Countries With the Largest Phosphate Reserves
| Rank | Country | Phosphate Reserves (% of World’s Total) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco | 70 |
| 2 | China | 5 |
| 3 | Syria | 3 |
| 4 | Algeria | 3 |
Why is there so much phosphorus in Morocco?
Phosphate is locally abundant in the form of sand-sized detrital grains. These were derived from Cretaceous and Tertiary phosphatic rocks cropping out on the shelf, by erosion during the Pleistocene. The sand-sized phosphatic detritus is concentrated in relict placer-type deposits near parent-rock outcrops.
What are phosphate used for?
Phosphate rock is processed to produce phosphorous, which is one of the three main nutrients most commonly used in fertilizers (the other two are nitrogen and potassium). Phosphate can also be turned into phosphoric acid, which is used in everything from food and cosmetics to animal feed and electronics.
Where are the phosphate mines in Morocco?
Located 70km north of Marrakesh, Benguérir is the newest of Morocco’s four phosphate mining centres, having started production in 1979–80. Operated by Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), the opencast mine works 24h/d in three shifts and is managed together with the Youssoufia mining and treatment centre.
Can we live without phosphorus?
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all forms of life. It is a key element in our DNA and all living organisms require daily phosphorus intake to produce energy. It cannot be replaced and there is no synthetic substitute: without phosphorus, there is no life.
Who buys phosphate from Morocco?
In 2019, the biggest buyer of phosphates from Morocco’s southern region became India, followed by New Zealand, China, and Brazil. In 2018, sales of phosphates from the region reached 1.9 million tons. Canada bought approximately 50% of phosphate production in Western Sahara at the time.
Who owns the phosphate mines in Morocco?
OCP
OCP has access to more than 70% of the world’s phosphate rock reserves. Initially a mining company, OCP has diversified in 1965 to become a phosphate processor, making it one of the world’s leading fertilizer manufacturers….OCP Group.
| Industry | Phosphates, Chemicals |
|---|---|
| Owner | Government of Morocco (95%) |
| Number of employees | ≈ 23,000 |
What is an alternative to phosphorus?
Animal manures like rabbit, duck and chicken hold nearly as much phosphorous as inorganic fertilizers. The total amount actually depends on the diet of the animals. An animal feed supplemented with phosphorous will increase the content of phosphates in the animal waste. Manures are best when mixed into the soil.
How is phosphorus running out?
Nearly all of the phosphorus that farmers use today—and that we consume in the food we eat—is mined from a few sources of phosphate rock, mainly in the United States, China, and Morocco. By some estimates, those could run out in as little as 50 to 100 years.
How much phosphorus do you need in a day?
Healthy kidneys get rid of the extra amounts not needed in the body. It is recommended that healthy adults get between 800 mg and 1,200 mg of phosphorus each day. A balanced, nutritious diet provides plenty of phosphorus, because it’s found naturally in so many foods.
