700 million metric tonnes of phosphate reserves estimated in Risha region — Kharabsheh

AMMAN — Preliminary estimates of phosphate reserves in the Risha region, in the east of the Kingdom, project an availability of 700 million metric tonnes to be assessed in the first phase of the phosphate exploration project launched in December 2021, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Al Kharabsheh said on Thursday.

Kharabsheh, in a ministry statement, said that the average thickness of the phosphate ore reached 8 metres, and exceeded 10 metres in some cases, noting that the percentage of crude concentrations of P2O5 were recorded at 24 per cent and in a number of wells, was greater than 35 per cent.

The earth above the ore did not exceed an average of nine metres, the minister noted.

He pointed out that the results of chemical analysis showed a significant decrease in the proportion of mineral impurities, which in all samples did not exceed 0.1 per cent. 

Three companies showed interest in investing in the Al Risha region, he said, noting the importance of directing phosphate-related investments towards manufacturing industries. 

The minister added that more than 1,170 samples were collected in the study, and the results of chemical analysis showed concentrations of radioactive uranium elements ranging from 60 to 118 grammes per tonne, in addition to promising concentrations of Yttrium, lanthanum, and other substances used in hybrid engine systems and alternative energy industries.

By the end of 2021, the ministry launched the national project to explore phosphate ore in the Risha region over an estimated area of 3,000sq.km., with the first phase to cover 120 sq.km.