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Phosphate

Phosphate is a chemical compound containing phosphorus and oxygen, essential to global agriculture as a primary nutrient in fertilisers and a critical input for food production. It occurs naturally in phosphate rock, which is mined and processed into phosphoric acid and various fertiliser products, principally diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and triple superphosphate (TSP). Phosphorus is one of three macronutrients required for plant growth, alongside nitrogen and potassium, and cannot be substituted in agricultural systems. Major phosphate rock producers include Morocco, China, the United States, Russia and Brazil, with Morocco holding the largest reserves through its state-owned OCP Group. The phosphate industry is characterised by regional supply concentration, long-term supply agreements and sensitivity to agricultural commodity cycles. Demand is driven by population growth, dietary shifts towards protein-rich foods and the need to maintain soil fertility on intensively farmed land. Phosphate rock is a non-renewable resource, and concerns over reserve depletion and geopolitical supply risks have prompted interest in phosphorus recycling and efficiency improvements. Processing phosphate rock is energy-intensive and generates by-products including gypsum and, in some deposits, uranium. The sector plays a strategic role in food security, and disruptions to phosphate supply or sharp price increases can have significant economic and social consequences in import-dependent regions.

Phosphate News


Image of rare earths
Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, South Africa – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Work is continuing at the project, with the focus being on optimising and simplifying the flowsheet to enhance the plant operability and reduce risk when moving to commercial scale. 


Fortuna Mining's Seguela gold mine
Fortuna expects Senegal gold project permit within weeks, CEO says
9th July 2026 By: Reuters

Fortuna Mining expects to receive the final permit for its Diamba Sud gold project in Senegal within weeks, its chief executive told Reuters, adding that with government support the country could... 


Location map of the Cabinda phosphate project
Cabinda phosphate project, Angola – update
26th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

On June 22, 2026, Minbos signed a contract with Grupo Arliz for all the remaining works required to advance the fertiliser plant to dry commissioning.  


Minbos signs $13.8m Phase 2 construction contract for Angola project
Minbos signs $13.8m Phase 2 construction contract for Angola project
23rd June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed Minbos Resources has announced the signing of a $13.8-million Phase 2 construction contract for the Cabinda Phosphate Fertilizer Plant (CPFP), in Angola, with the Portuguese and Angolan... 


Fuel tanks and gas pipes
Namibia targets industrial growth through investment reform
19th June 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Namibia is positioning its oil, gas and mining sectors as catalysts for industrialisation, beneficiation and infrastructure development under its National Development Plan Six (NDP6), with... 


PhosCo eyes more inventory growth with another discovery
PhosCo eyes more inventory growth with another discovery
9th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed PhosCo has made another discovery at its Gasaat phosphate project, in Tunisia, with drilling having intersected thick, shallow phosphate mineralisation at the KH prospect, just 3.5 km... 


Tres Estradas project schematic
Aguia secures status as one of few domestic Brazilian phosphate suppliers
18th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Aguia Resources has secured an operating licence for the Tres Estradas phosphate project in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, allowing the company to mine and process phosphate for sale into... 


Image of rare earths mounds
Uberaba rare earth elements project, Brazil
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The preliminary economic assessment envisages the construction of an on-site processing plant with a throughput of about 2.7-million tonnes a year over an initial 30-year mine life.  


Image of phosphates
Três Estradas phosphate project, Brazil – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Brazil's Fundação Estadual de Proteção Ambiental Henrique Luís Roessler environmental agency has requested minor changes to the installation licence before final review. 


KAP Minerals CEO Geoff Hampson (left) and Hanwa managing executive officer Shoji Shirasawa
KAP Minerals, Hanwa partner to strengthen Canada–Japan critical minerals supply chain
13th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canadian critical minerals company KAP Minerals and Japanese trading and industrial materials company Hanwa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance a strategic partnership... 


Potash ore
Mosaic swings to a first-quarter loss
12th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

NYSE-listed the Mosaic Company posted a net loss of $258-million for the first quarter of this year, compared with net income of $238-million reported for the first quarter of 2025. Mosaic’s North... 


A map showing the location of the Tres Estradas project and the crops grown in the region
Aguia expects approval for its Tres Estrada mine soon, as demand for phosphates grow
11th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

ASX-listed Aguia Resources is confident that it will soon be granted an operating licence for its Tres Estradas project, in Brazil, from the Fundação Estadual de Proteção Ambiental Henrique Luís... 


Phosphate drill core
PhosCo extends Gasaat resource with two deposit estimates
5th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed PhosCo has announced a maiden mineral resource estimate for the KM and SAB phosphate deposits within the company’s Gasaat phosphate project in Tunisia, totalling 20.2-million tonnes... 


Ironveld implements key technical improvements at Lapon plant
Ironveld implements key technical improvements at Lapon plant
29th April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Ironveld has reported that, following a detailed metallurgical audit to address product variability, the company has implemented key technical improvements as part of a reconfiguration... 


Image of Elandsfontein processing plant
Elandsfontein phosphate project, South Africa – update
24th April 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Kropz has achieved record production of 40 792 t of phosphate concentrate from the project for March.  


An image of the  Elandsfontein project
Kropz’s South African project achieves new monthly production record
20th April 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Kropz achieved record production of 40 792 t phosphate concentrate from its Elandsfontein project, in South Africa, for March.  This brought the project’s production to 115 686 t... 


Image of Elandsfontein mine and processing plant
Elandsfontein phosphate project, South Africa – update
13th March 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Kropz has reported that the third drawdown on the loan facility agreed to with ARC Fund in December 2025 has been made and will be used to fund the project. 


Rainbow CEO George Bennett
Brazil project a ‘major opportunity’ to replicate Rainbow’s South African successes
11th March 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

London-listed Rainbow Rare Earths has announced an economic assessment for the Uberaba project, in Brazil, and says it has reached an agreement with US-based producer and marketer of concentrated... 


Kropz announces third drawdown on loan for Elandsfontein
Kropz announces third drawdown on loan for Elandsfontein
9th March 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed phosphate producer and developer Kropz has reported that the third drawdown on the loan facility, for an amount of R40-million, has been made from a previously announced loan with the... 


Image of phosphates stockpiles
Cabinda phosphate project, Angola – update
6th March 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Minbos has secured a $16-million debt facility from the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa to advance Phase 2 construction of its Cabinda project.  


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