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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


Lac à Paul project area
Arianne phosphate project to benefit from Canada's Filon support service
7th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Phosphate developer Arianne Phosphate's Lac à Paul project is among the first projects selected to benefit from the Canadian government's "Filon" support service. The Filon support service was... 


An image of the ZCC-IH team touring the Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) fertiliser plant construction site
Phosphate plant on track for trial production in August 2027
7th August 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Civil construction of phosphate producer and supplier Sino Great Chemicals’ mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) fertiliser plant in Chilanga, in Zambia’s Lusaka province, is about 30% complete, with... 


Phosphate rock
More Canadian federal investment in Québec aimed at realising Bégin-Lamarche phosphate mine
6th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Claude Guay, has announced $5-million of investment under the country's First and Last Mile Fund in the... 


Nutrien's Patience Lake potash operation
Potash producer Nutrien misses profit estimates as lower volumes blunt higher prices
6th August 2026 By: Reuters

Nutrien missed analysts' estimates for second-quarter profit on Wednesday as lower potash and nitrogen sales volumes offset the benefit of higher fertilizer prices at the world's largest potash... 


Image of Elandsfontein mine operations
Elandsfontein phosphate project, South Africa – update
24th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The Elandsfontein phosphate mine continues to progress through its production ramp-up phase. 


Image of phosphate mining
Lac à Paul purified phosphoric acid plant, Canada – update
17th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Arianne Phosphate has shipped pilot-scale samples of purified phosphoric acid to potential customers for testing. 


The Elandsfontein mine
Kropz secures R200m loan
15th July 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Emerging African phosphate producer and developer Kropz's subsidiary Kropz Elandsfontein has secured a R200-million loan from Ubunto-Botho Investments (UBI), the indirect controlling shareholder of... 


Lac à Paul project area
Arianne Phosphate sends first samples of purified phosphoric acid to potential customers
10th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Arianne Phosphate has shipped samples of purified phosphoric acid (PPA) to potential customers for testing. The samples were produced at pilot scale from the Lac à Paul project, in... 


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... 


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