The phosphate ion, (PO43−), is the conjugate base of phosphoric acid. It has many different salts and mineral forms. Phosphate rock is a general term referring to rock with high concentrations of phosphate minerals. Historically, the most common sources of phosphate rock are guano, (the accumulate excrement of seabirds and bats) and apatite minerals (Ca5(F,Cl,OH)(PO4)3). Phosphate rocks are concentrated via froth flotation and typically produce a concentrate with 50% equivalent phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5).
Beneficiated phosphate rock can be solubilized to produce phosphoric acid or smelted to produce elemental phosphorus. The majority of mined phosphate rock is used to produce fertilizer via the reaction with phosphoric acid to produce superphosphate or with anhydrous ammonia to produce ammonium phosphate fertilizers.
Range of Capabilities:
- Metallurgical testplans
- Project management
- Metallurgical summary reports
- Flowsheets
- Mass balances
- P&IDs
- Vendor evaluation
- Project implementation
- Engineering studies
- Environmental studies
- Process description/Equipment lists
- Detailed design
Please send through your enquiry today via email to info@metsengineering.com and we will call you to discuss your project.
Project Experience:
| Client | Project | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Ma’aden PC | Ma’aden Phosphate Project | Phosphate Testwork |
| Cominco SA | Hinda Uranium Phosphate | Metallurgical Testwork |
| African Investment Group Congo | Uranium Phosphate Project | Sighter Testwork |
| NT Phosphate | Phosphate Project | Beneficiation Testwork |
| Client located in Saudi Arabia | Confidential | Confidential |
| BH South | Phosphate Hill | Pilot Plant Flotation Testwork |
| Confidential | Confidential | Review of New Project for Phosphoric Acid |
Sharing Our Knowledge:
Phosphate Processing Course
Designed to provide knowledge of a wide range of aspects regarding the processing of phosphate, the history and future of phosphate demands and uses are covered, geology and mineralogy of phosphates deposits, beneficiation of phosphate ores, downstream phosphate processing and knowledge of current major phosphate operations. Suitable for mining personnel, project managers, geologists, senior mine and processing plant operating staff, engineers and researchers. Read more about our course here.