Phosphate in Iraq

Phosphate rock is a naturally occurring geological raw

material containing high concentrations of phosphate

minerals(e.g.ApatiteGroup). Most phosphate rocks

are of marine sedimentary origin and are the basic
raw material for phosphatic fertilizers, phosphoric
acid, and other important chemical compounds.
Types of Phosphorite Deposits
Five major types of phosphate resources are being mined in
the world:
 1)Sedimentary Marine phosphate deposits.
 2)Igneous phosphate deposits.
 3)Metamorphic deposits.
 4)Biogenic (or Guano Bird ; or Island) deposits.
 5)Phosphate deposits as a result of weathering.
 Sedimentary Marine Phosphate Deposits

About 80% of phosphate rock used commercially is obtained from

marine sedimentary deposits, which occur on every continent and range
in age from Precambrian to Recent.
Sedimentary Marine Phosphate Deposits
1 Formation
Phosphorite beds consist of grains, pellets, or fragments of
cryptocrystalline apatite and are typically a few centimeters to
tens of meters thick.
2 Location
Large resources of phosphates occur on the continental shelves
and on seamounts in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but
cannot be commercially mined with current technology.
3 Deposition
Shallow oceanic areas and continental shelves commonly have
thick accumulations of phosphorus-rich organic debris, mainly
derived from deep oceanic sources associated with upwelling
currents of cold, nutrient-rich water.
 The History of Phosphate in Iraq
Discovery
The Iraqi phosphorites were
discovered in the early fifties of
the past century, leading to
extensive detailed geological
exploration and the assessment of
giant deposits.
Resource Estimate
The indicated phosphate resources
of Iraq were estimated to be about
10 billion metric tons, making Iraq
the second-largest holder of
phosphate reserves after Morocco.
Phosphate reserves in Iraq
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