Phosphate Mine
A Norwegian mining company has declared that the phosphate rock deposit discovered last month might provide the world’s need for solar panels and batteries for the next 100 years.
According to a US Geological Survey report, the deposit is valued at least 70 billion tonnes. This is quite near to the confirmed global phosphate reserves, which are anticipated to reach 71 billion tonnes.
Phosphate rock has large concentrations of phosphorus, which is essential for the development of green technologies. Countries that use it, on the other hand, suffer substantial supply concerns.
The deposit was discovered in south-western Norway, near deposits of other critical minerals such as titanium and vanadium are present.
The majority of mined phosphate rock is used to produce phosphorous for the fertilizer industry, but it is also utilized in the creation of solar panels, lithium batteries, semiconductors, and computer chips due to the mineral’s better energy density, enhanced safety, and longer life span.
Hennig Brandt, a German scientist found phosphorous for the first time in 1669.
Russia has previously controlled the world’s largest phosphate rock reserves, but this latest find may tip the scale in Europe’s favor.
The European Union (EU) recognizes the strategic importance of phosphorous goods, yet it is virtually totally dependent on minerals imported from other parts of the world.
Large phosphorous deposits can also be found in China, Iraq, and Syria.
According to the European Commission official, the discovery is ‘great news’ for reaching the Commission’s raw material objectives.
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