What is phosphate mining used for. , the sustainable Feb 5, 2024 · Waste Generation. its reach, with some fearing the land and water will “never be the same. The very first unit operation in the beneficiation process is to disaggregate the various particles; this Jul 7, 2022 · 5. The name Bone Valley comes from fossilized bones of prehistoric creatures found in its soils. Jul 4, 2023 · A Norwegian miner has completed the exploration of a phosphate deposit that it claims is large enough to meet phosphorous demand for batteries and solar panels for the next 100 years. It was only in 1957 when the phosphate mining industry was nationalized that systematic studies on phosphate reserves and production were carried out. Most phosphorus is consumed as a principal component of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers used on food crops throughout the world. The South Carolina phosphate mining industry began after the Civil War and dominated world production in the 1880s. A wide variety of techniques and equipment is used to mine and process phosphate rocks in order to beneficiate low-grade ores and remove impurities. But the view looking this way isn't so scenic. Mineral. Discuss how waste products are managed. The Hawthorne Formation, which contains much of Aug 22, 2023 · A U. Apr 26, 2017 · The sand is sent back to the mine site to fill in the hole after all the phosphate is dug out—years after the mining began. The United States is the world's leading producer and Oct 28, 2021 · Phosphate mining has long meant jobs — and worries — in Central Florida. Guano is a highly effective fertilizer due to the high content of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, all key nutrients essential for plant growth. The principle and operating conditions of important parts of manufacturing process Phosphorous (P) is present in every living cell, both plant and animal. 3. 4. Mosaic, the world’s largest phosphate company, made headlines around the world when a giant sinkhole opened up in August in a towering stack of acidic, radioactive phosphate mining waste. The width of each bench is determined by the size of the equipment being used, generally 20–40 metres wide. The free-digging phosphate ore is typically mined in strips before being deposited into a feed hopper. Phosphate mining and the resulting gypsum stacks have seriously impacted water quality, the environment, and public health for years. 1 Phosphate Rock Mining The primary method of mining and exploration of phosphate rock is surface mining. Topsoil lies stacked by the mine. Phosphogypsum. Jun 18, 2022 · Sometimes people with high levels of phosphorus experience feelings of fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, and in some cases, anorexia. Many farmers replenish phosphorus through the use of phosphate fertilisers. May 13, 2018 · Phosphate processing semi-industrialized, but the excavation process still revolved around manual labor and the use of livestock; most phosphate deposits were under 10 feet of overburden (small fry for later steam-powered equipment like steam shovels, but quite a lot of sediment to move by hand). 2). 6 million metric tons of marketable phosphate rock, or phosphorite, was mined in the United States, making the US the world's third-largest producer, after China and Morocco. Phosphorus in surface and groundwater. As per the US Geological Survey, the FDEP Phosphate Management Program. Jan 23, 2024 · Phosphogypsum, a waste product from manufacturing fertilizer, emits radon, a radioactive gas. Sep 1, 2020 · Phosphate-scarce regions experience most of the increase in phosphate requirement. Centrex Metals holds the Ardmore phosphate rock project in Queensland, which it says is one of the world’s few remaining undeveloped high-grade phosphate rock deposits. Atop each one sits a pond of Florida Phosphate Mining History. 3 mt/y of phosphoric acid and 0. The phosphate ore is shipped to another plant that processes it into fertilizer. phosphate rock used? About 90 percent of the phosphate rock we extract in the United States goes to synthetic fertilizer production. 1. It is also used to produce animal feed supplements, phosphoric acid, elemental phosphorous, and phosphate compounds for the chemical industry. Most phosphate production leads to the making of fertilizers. Its name suggests danger or desolation Chemical Processing of Phosphate. Oct 8, 2001 · Environmental aspects of phosphate and potash mining. Some became homesites. Matrix is a mixture of sand, clay and the phosphate mineral. It is also known as dibasic calcium phosphate or calcium monohydrogen phosphate. Some have called this a boon for the Most of the phosphate rock mined throughout the world is used to produce phosphate fertilizer. Phosphorite is a sedimentary rock that contains a high concentration of phosphate minerals. In fact, struvite outperforms diammonium phosphate (DAP), the most widely-used fertilizer today (15), on a unit-for-unit basis in terms of dry matter production, phosphorus uptake, and extractable residual phosphorus (14). As mined, the phosphate and sand particles are embedded in compacted mud, or “clay-balls”. A comparative analysis between small-scale phosphate mining in a sample of developing countries is proposed, in particular focusing on opportunities for innovation and possibilities for “up-scaling” these. Global supply of phosphate will fall below global requirement in 2040. In 1992, this rule was modified to allow the use of phosphogypsum with an average radium-226 concentration of less than 10 picocuries/gram (pCi/g) for agricultural application as a soil amendment. However, they are widely used and are very valuable. to meet the U. After mining, the phosphate ore underwent a screening process on-site to separate the phosphate rock from the bulky mine wastes (on-site sand waste, Fig. First, 30 to 40 feet of “overburden” and then 15 to 25 feet of phosphate-containing Phosphate is also used as a building block for several important substances, including those used by the cell for energy, cell membranes, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Guano. phosphate mining operations; however, their characteristics The mining of phosphorus from raw phosphate rock (PR) can lead to air pollution, eutrophication in receiving waters, land degradation through phosphogypsum (emitted by stacks near the mining sites), and soil contamination. The body obtains phosphate from foods. 2 million. SD-LFP scenario, i. Nov 24, 2023 · Phosphorite. It is then pumped to the beneficiary plant, wherein the phosphate is separated from the sand and clay. Using conventional clay settling areas (CSAs) is the dominant method of storing phosphatic clay in Florida . Mar 10, 2014 · EPA promulgated the Mineral Mining and Processing Effluent Guidelines and Standards ( 40 CFR Part 436) in 1975, and amended the regulation in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. Phosphate mining is strip-mining that clears the land in sections. It is principally mined from apatite and phosphate rocks (phosphorite) in which the concentration of phosphate has been enhanced by sedimentary, igneous, weathering, and biological processes. This study explores a variety of approaches and techniques used by the fertilizer raw material mining industry in response to environmental challenges. was estimated at 23 million metric tons (MT). Many, such as author and journalist Fred Pearce who has written numerous books on the environment, say the ‘excessive use’ of phosphorus in fertiliser is wreaking havoc with the environment. Phosphorite deposits are formed over geological time through the accumulation of marine organic debris and phosphate-rich sediments. Most phosphorus in nature exists in the form of phosphate ion— PO 4 3 −. Some causes of high phosphorus levels include: Chronic or acute kidney disease. There are approximately five tons of phosphogypsum produced for every ton of phosphoric acid produced. The initiative will present science-based educational information about PG and the current use of gypstacks to better inform May 6, 2016 · Phosphate Beneficiation Process. “There are enough rare earths in the phosphate waste in the U. The Reclamation: Strategies and Stages. 7 million tons of phosphate and exported 10. No government has given out licenses for marine phosphate Dicalcium phosphate is the calcium phosphate with the formula CaHPO 4 and its dihydrate. Describe the phosphate cycle, and how the use of chemical phosphate fertilizer alters this cycle. Jan 1, 2014 · Determine how the viability of small-scale phosphate rock mining and appropriate processing in developing countries can be enhanced. Phosphates can be grouped as: primary phosphates that have crystallized from a liquid; secondary phosphates formed by the alteration of primary phosphates; and rock phosphates formed from phosphorous-bearing organic material. The nest of the Peruvian booby is made of almost pure guano. 6 million MT in 2017 to 8. The study reinforces the fact that the environmental performance of the fertilizer raw materials industry has improved over recent decades Apr 9, 2024 · phosphate production, this study distinguishes itself by focusing on. The The total water use in the South West Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) in 2011 was 1,022 MGD. The phosphate mineral as it exists in the ground is not soluble and is hard for the plant to access. Jun 22, 2023 · Phosphate is critical for all living organisms, from potatoes to people, and as much as 90 percent of it is used as a soil nutrient for plant growth. Other mineral groups akin to phosphates, form by the substitution of phosphorus by arsenic, vanadium, antimony, molybdenum or uranium. According to industry statistics as reported in the Florida Phosphate Council’s “Phosphate Facts, the phosphate mining industry paid more than $85. It is believed more than half of America's phosphate reserves are in Idaho in Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, and Caribou counties. It is the primary source of phosphorus, an essential element for life on Earth. Oct 16, 2023 · The mining and production of phosphate in Morocco has fueled economic growth and positioned the country as a world leader in phosphate exports. Phosphate rock mining is the fifth largest mining industry in the United States in terms of the amount of material mined. demand for rare earth metal annually,” he said. Aug 25, 2020 · In 2019, 23 million tons of phosphate ore ($1. Phosphates in general are widespread as accessory phases in virtually every known rock type. Phosphate fertilization of soils has always been important. 1. Mining can be conducted on more than one bench at a time, and access to different benches is done with a system of ramps. Of that, approximately 2 percent was used for mining operations. Russia’s phosphate output also dropped by 1 million MT in 2022 from the previous year, coming in at 13 million MT. National Science Foundation -supported study finds that most phosphorus stakeholders — representing a wide swath of industry, agriculture, environmental and policy interests — have significant doubts about the long-term sustainability of existing phosphorus management systems. Climate impact from mining and processing phosphate will double between 2000 and 2050. Next came mule-drawn scrapers. three speci c stages within a single mining site: extraction, destoning, and screening. Mining began in late 1867 on plantations near Charleston after the gentlemen The biggest source for rare earth elements, he said, is not in the ground, but in phosphate industry byproducts like phosphogypsum. Phosphorus is an essential element for plant and animal nutrition. Eastern phosphate comes from surface mining and is sometimes extracted through a mechanized Dec 3, 2021 · Locally, phosphate is popularly concentrated and mined in Central Florida, which is also called the “Bone Valley”. Endangered species are relocated and measures are taken to protect wetlands and other preservation areas. In addition, systems are put in place to offset any impact to water levels and flow in the surrounding areas. In the Xu et al 1. We are working to prevent irretrievable damage to imperiled endangered species habitat, water quality and Florida’s unique landscape. The results show that the main minerals in the phosphate tailings are collophane. Out of the $85 billion value of the industry, only a few million dollars is spent on the local communities where the mines are located. 1 Jul 5, 2023 · A huge deposit of a valuable mineral called phosphate, which can be used to power electric cars and solar panels, has been discovered in Norway. Apr 1, 2013 · Ninety percent of the world’s mined phosphate rock is used in agriculture and food production, mostly as fertilizer, less as animal feed and food additives. Norge Mining, which will develop the site, says that it has discovered up to 70 billion tonnes of the mineral. Large scale mining and processing of phosphate is essential for operating at a profit. Before separation can begin, all the particles must be liberated from the matrix of mud. It may also be used in animal feed supplements, food preservatives and many industrial products. Where is phosphate mined in Florida? Phosphate mining began in Florida in 1883 near Hawthorne in Alachua County. It is primarily used to produce fertilizers for food production. Names and chemical formulas of some of the most common phosphate minerals. 6mt/y of phosphate ore, 1. This is like the surface of the moon. the resources that can economically be extracted, will hold out. Phosphate Mining Today. It usually occurs in small isolated grains, as an accessory mineral in igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, pegmatite, schist, and gneiss. The largest integrated phosphate mining and chemical plant in the world, it is wholly owned by the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PotashCorp) and has the capacity to produce 6. However, very little rock phosphate is currently used in agriculture due to low availability of P in this native material, high transportation costs However, struvite is a benign, non-toxic substance, and it can be used as a rich, slow-release phosphate fertilizer. This strip mining leaves 50 to 60 foot deep holes or pits interspersed with piles of cast earth, and the Jan 18, 2022 · In 2020, OCP mining operations produced 40. The sinkhole sent a reported 215 million Monazite is a rare phosphate mineral with a chemical composition of (Ce,La,Nd,Th) (PO 4 ,SiO 4 ). The regulation covers wastewater discharges from mine drainage, mineral processing operations and stormwater runoff. On the rim high above, backhoes claw through the toxic byproducts of fertilizer production, which are slightly radioactive. A USGS study on Cape Cod, Massachusetts showed that phosphorus can also migrate with groundwater flows. 6 billion value) was mined by five companies at 10 mines across four states in the U. Jan 24, 2019 · Since that time, phosphate mining and production have been surviving in the former two regions till the present. Hundreds of boreholes are drilled and thousands of core samples studied and tested to gather information about the ore-body. ”. Phosphogypsum stack located near Kėdainiai, Lithuania 55°14′47″N 24°01′44″E. , is confirming and expanding a phosphate resource drilled and defined by U. After a mine site is permitted and reclamation plans are in place, the land is prepared for mining. East of the Vernal mine, Utah Mineral Resources, mostly owned by Strata Minerals Inc. The phosphate industry is concentrated in the southeastern Phosphate is the natural source of phosphorous, an element that provides a quarter of all the nutrients that plants need for their growth and development. Morocco has 70% of the world’s phosphate reserves, and OCP is responsible for mining, processing Apr 5, 2021 · These stacks tower hundreds of feet above Florida’s mostly flat topography. The phosphate rock occurrence in Egypt can be divided into three facies belts (Fig. The country’s sole state-owned phosphate producer, Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC), signed six new agreements with Indian firms in February 2018. Apr 6, 2022 · Of this mined phosphorus, about 85% was used in fertilisers, 10% for animal feed supplements, and the remainder for other products 4. The agreement has been signed by Algerian firms Manal and Asmidal, a subsidiary of Algerian energy firm Sonatrach, with Chinese firms Wuhuan Engineering and Tian’An Chemical, a The Phosphate Mining Process. Feb 9, 2010 · Phosphate rock used for fertilizer is a major NORM due to both uranium and thorium. through phosphate mining. Phosphorus is often the limiting nutrient, or nutrient that is most scarce and thus limits growth, in aquatic ecosystems. Phosphorus is one of the three major nutrients required by plants The Phosphate Industry and Florida’s Economy. When experts debate peak phosphorus, what they are usually debating is how long the phosphate rock reserves, i. Phosphorus is a crucial element for life, but the natural phosphorus cycle has been perturbed to such an extent that humanity faces two dovetailing problems: the dwindling supply of phosphate rock as a resource, and the overabundance of phosphate in water Jun 20, 2016 · South Carolina’s phosphate industry was the world leader until the 1890s, when bad politics, bad luck, and bad weather brought on a rapid decline. To provide the plant with the phosphate it needs, in a form it can take up through its roots, the phosphate rock is converted to phosphoric acid. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of phosphogypsum. Downward ramps are created to allow mining on a new level to begin. The phosphate ore is generally separated from the minerals of granges in different steps using several processes. Steel Corporation in the late 1960s. The phosphorus is obtained by mining deposits of rock phosphate. Bone Valley covers part of four counties including Hardee Abstract. Jordan — The country’s phosphate mining output grew slightly from 8. Phosphorous is used in many products, and is an essential ingredient in all fertilizers. As of 2023, only landbased phosphate mining is taking place, but several companies have applied for licenses to exploit marine phosphate reserves, including in Namibia. China is the largest producer of phosphate rock, producing approximately 100 million tons in 2014. It is that acid that is used to make fertilizer. e. Mine production: 13 million MT. Describe the mining and beneficiation techniques used to recover phosphate. Locally produced sulfuric acid is used to convert the insoluble rock phosphate into a more soluble and usable form – a fertiliser product called Feb 28, 2024 · Phosphate extraction requires a strip mining process that is highly destructive to the land. No phosphate mining has been done in Charleston since 1938, and very little since 1920, although fertilizer production in the state continued on a smaller scale. White dust coats everything. It produces possible health risks for people and the environment due to its potential for pollution and In Florida, phosphate mining began in the 1880s. Florida Phosphate Mining History. 8. In the process of mining, phosphate is mixed with water using high-powered water guns to create a slurry. Jul 7, 2011 · And phosphate mining in Florida, which is home to the world’s largest phosphate mine, is being challenged by environmentalists concerned about its impact on waterways and drinking water supplies. Endurance was imperative in the early years when phosphate mining was done with wheelbarrows, picks and shovels. Phosphate Mining Districts. Its primary function is to support strong cell May 24, 2023 · Phosphogypsum is the waste left behind from mining phosphate rock, which is commonly used for producing fertilizer, and is known for containing "radioactive material," according to the EPA. Already, like other key commodities with once-dominant sources running low, the price of phosphate is starting to yo-yo alarmingly. Phosphate is crucial to key energy reactions in plants, including photosynthesis, speeding maturity and reproduction, and increasing yield. Four Algerian and Chinese firms have signed a deal, worth nearly $7bn, to develop an integrated phosphates project (PPI) in Algeria. In the Florida area, Phosphate Beneficiation by flotation unlocked the door to vast tonnages of ore which in the past could not be recovered by conventional washing methods which saved only the coarser pebble phosphate. Table 1. Giant draglines dig 25 to 30 feet into the earth to get at the valuable ore, which is part of what the phosphate industry calls “matrix. Russia. These grains are resistant to weathering and become concentrated in soils and sediments downslope Oct 31, 2018 · Phosphate mining is a major industry in Florida, but it’s also a major source of pollution, responsible for red tide, toxic algal blooms and killing wildlife. The study underscores the complex challenges facing Oct 17, 2016 · October 17, 2016. By utilizing actual data from Phosphate is also used in animal feed supplements, food preservatives, anti-corrosion agents, cosmetics, fungicides, ceramics, water treatment and metallurgy. Phosphorus gets into water in both urban and agricultural settings. In the past, ground rock phosphate itself has been used as a source of P for acid soils. There is a clear and pressing need to better manage our planet's resources. This initial phase will usually require The mining process in Florida begins with a field study to determine the location and density of the phosphate deposits. Ninety percent of phosphate mined is used to produce chemical fertilisers. Sand has been separated from the phosphate ore and pumped back from the processing plant to the mine where it is used to restore the site when mining is complete. Information like the location, size, and shape of the ore is determined to focus the mining effort. In 2015, 27. But unlike nitrogen, which makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere, phosphate is a finite The conventional phosphate beneficiation process. Phosphate fertilisers replenish soil phosphorus. Marine Phosphate Mining is the newly proposed and fully unexplored process of extracting phosphate from the seabed. Vast areas of agricultural land can be poor if the soil has a phosphate (P) deficiency. How is U. Phosphorus tends to attach to soil particles and, thus, moves into surface-water bodies from runoff. This process creates several byproducts besides fertilizer. Phosphate mineral, any of a group of naturally occurring inorganic salts of phosphoric acid. Identify the primary wastes created during the different stages of phosphate fertilizer production and use. Jordan’s phosphate reserves stand at an estimated 1 billion MT. Mines became parks, fishing lakes and golf courses. In animals, phosphate is a critical component in biochemical reactions essential to muscle contraction and normal body growth Nov 29, 2016 · Phosphate, along with nitrogen, is one of the two most necessary components of synthetic fertilizer. 3 million tons of the raw material. 8 million MT in 2018. In 2019 the total production of phosphate rock in the U. Phosphogypsum Free America . Modified date: 24/11/2023. Many of these reclamation sites were in phosphate’s “golden triangle,” around Bartow, Lakeland and Mulberry. In the northern part of the state Phosphate is also used as a building block for several important substances, including those used by the cell for energy, cell membranes, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). 1 million tons of phosphoric acid — the chemical compound used in making fertilizer — while exporting 1. S. Foods that are high in phosphate include milk, egg yolks, chocolate, and soft drinks. Low parathyroid hormone levels ( hypoparathyroidism) Cell damage. Idaho's leading industrial mineral, and fastest growing, is phosphate*. Phosphogypsum is a by-product of the chemical reaction called the “wet process,” whereby sulfuric acid is reacted with phosphate rock to produce the phosphoric acid needed for fertilizer production. Waste management is becoming a major challenge in the phosphate supply chain. When phosphate miners destroy a wetland, they promise to replace it a In 1989, stacking of phosphogypsum became a legal necessity when the U. Phosphate rock minerals are the only significant global resources of phosphorus. 9 million in severance, property sales and other taxes and fees in 2003. 5. Around 90% of mined phosphate is used to produce Flotation separates phosphate rock from sand by adding a fatty acid that adheres to phosphate, but not sand. The Florida Phosphate Council has launched the Phosphate Innovation Initiative, aimed at building support for the sustainable and beneficial use of phosphogypsum (PG), with the ambitious goal of a “zero waste” future. : Florida and North Carolina extracted 75% of total domestic use, such as farmland or wildlife habitat, following mining is likely the most significant problem in the reclamation of Florida phosphate mined lands. Most of Idaho's phosphate mining is done in eastern Idaho around Soda Springs. Then, tiny air bubbles are injected into the tanks and adhere to the waxy-coated phosphate, causing it to rise. Recently, various treatment methods have been suggested to treat phosphorus-rich wastewaters. May 4, 2023 · Market cap: AU$98. . Since groundwater often discharges Jun 17, 2021 · ALSO READ: History Of Phosphate Mining In Florida Fraught With Peril. Phosphogypsum (PG) is the calcium sulfate hydrate formed as a by-product of the production of fertilizer, particularly phosphoric acid, from phosphate rock. Rock phosphate is the raw material used to manufacture most commercial phosphate fertilizers on the market. Editor’s Note: The bad news keeps coming about Florida’s phosphate strip-mining industry. The importance of Morocco’s phosphate reserves extends beyond its borders, as they play a vital role in meeting global fertilizer demand and have geopolitical implications in the international trade Phosphate rock is a general term referring to rock with high concentrations of phosphate minerals, most commonly those of the apatite family with the general formula Ca 5 (PO 4 CO 3) 3 (F,OH,Cl). 2mt/y of Apr 29, 2023 · The mining industries produce phosphate rock with 28–31% of P 2 O 5 content. Guano (Spanish from Quechua: wanu) is the accumulated excrement of seabirds or bats. The Tampa Bay watershed is home to several phosphate mines. 2. It makes freshwater one of the most critical elements in phosphate mining. Mar 23, 2022 · Credit: ASMIDAL /WhatsApp. Phosphate rock (phosphorite) mining is the fifth largest mining industry in the United States in terms of quantity of material mined. The phosphate mining industry employed 2,200 people. Technological advances and market changes, however, have continually lengthened the expected life of phosphate mining, allowing mining of rock that wouldn’t have been mined in previous years. Apr 13, 2016 · The first commercial production of phosphate rock began in England in 1847. Feb 4, 2021 · The mineralogical characteristics of a phosphate tailing were studied, and the occurrence state, mineral types, and embedded characteristics of phosphorus in the phosphate tailings were ascertained. Florida’s phosphate industry impacts the state’s economy in many ways. 9 million tons of the key input. When nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer are carried in runoff to lakes and oceans, they can cause eutrophication Jun 6, 2023 · 4. From its phosphate supplies, OCP manufactured 7. Florida phosphate mining dates back to the first hard rock deposits found near Hawthorne in Alachua County in 1883. “We don’t have to mine anything, we just have to recover it from the waste The phosphate boom began in 1865, and died out as quickly as it began, rapidly declining in the last decade of the ninete enth century. This includes water use for phosphate, peat, limestone, sand, shell and gravel mines. The term available phosphate is used because phosphate is the most immobile of major plant nutrients and if it is not in a soluble form it is difficult if not impossible for plants to get it Mar 22, 2000 · The Aurora phosphate operation is located at Lee Creek in Beaufort County, North Carolina, USA. The mining company that found it, Norge Mining, say For decades, it has been said that the phosphate in Florida could be mined for about another 25 years. Nov 6, 2016 · Follow the Money Florida’s phosphate deposits today are the basis of an $85 billion industry supplying the lion’s share of the phosphate consumed in the United States. It is mainly composed of gypsum (CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O). The eighth chapter of this book deals with mining and beneficiation of phosphate ore. Utah Phosphate Company is a subsidiary of Agrium, a large fertilizer company operating primarily in North America. Mosaic’s share of the mining and dewatering category is less than 2 percent of the total Jun 8, 2016 · Public resistance to phosphorus mining is also on the rise, especially in the US. Feb 2, 2022 · At the same time, phosphate mining and fertilizer production are highly energy- and water-intensive processes, responsible for consuming about 7% of Morocco's annual power output and 1% of its Aug 3, 2018 · 4 The numbers for phosphate production and quantities for waste by-products (pinnacle rock, crushed rock, reject phosphate, topsoil and compost) given in the results section below are taken from measured and projected figures provided to the authors by the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation, which is responsible for mining of phosphate on the island. In 2011 he wrote: "Phosphate strip mines are environment wreckers. Our solutions provide scrubbing, attrition, cyclone and dewatering equipment to help process the phosphate ore into the final mineral which is stockpiled and ready for use. Phosphate is a common chemical constituent of fertilizer. The region of Florida known as Bone Valley is still considered one of the most economically accessible phosphate deposits in the world. The phosphorus cycle is slow. The "di" prefix in the common name arises because the formation of the HPO 42– anion involves the removal of two protons from phosphoric acid, H 3 PO 4. The production of fertilizer is the largest source responsible for minerals mined for their phosphate content. Piney Point phosphate mine is about 80 acres, though some gypsum stacks cover 400 acres. The main gangue minerals are quartz, dolomite, calcite, a small amount of potassium feldspar, plagioclase, chlorite Phosphogypsum and the EPA Ban. Surface mining consists of clearing the site of brush, initial removal of topsoil and overburden, ore removal, and reclamation. It also contains the radioactive elements uranium, thorium and radium. pm hg zp tn uf cx sl ym gq qy