Where is phosphate found in Morocco?

Western Sahara has been occupied by Morocco, just north along the coast, since 1975. If you include this disputed region, Morocco holds more than 72 percent of all phosphate-rock reserves in the world, according to the most recent United States Geological Survey study.

Who owns the phosphate mines in Morocco?

OCP
OCP has access to more than 70% of the world’s phosphate rock reserves. Initially a mining company, OCP has diversified in 1965 to become a phosphate processor, making it one of the world’s leading fertilizer manufacturers….OCP Group.

Where is the largest phosphate mine in the world?

The Aurora mine is the largest integrated phosphate mining and chemical plant in the world. The mine is located in Richland Township, in Aurora in Beaufort County, North Carolina.

Why is there so much phosphate in Morocco?

Phosphate is locally abundant in the form of sand-sized detrital grains. These were derived from Cretaceous and Tertiary phosphatic rocks cropping out on the shelf, by erosion during the Pleistocene. The sand-sized phosphatic detritus is concentrated in relict placer-type deposits near parent-rock outcrops.

Where is phosphate mined?

Currently, phosphate rock is mined in Florida, Idaho, North Carolina and Utah. In the last half of the 20th century, Florida accounted for about 25 percent of total world phosphate rock production.

How much money does Morocco make from phosphate?

With 72% of global reserves, Morocco is the world’s largest phosphates exporter and last year its state-owned phosphates company OCP reported revenue of 56.1 billion dirhams.

What is Morocco’s biggest export?

The three leading exports are agricultural produce (citrus fruits and market vegetables), semiprocessed goods and consumer goods (including textiles), and phosphates and phosphate products. Major imports are semimanufactures and industrial equipment, crude oil, and food commodities.

What country in Africa produces the most phosphate?

Morocco
Most of the world’s phosphate reserves are in Morocco, with the country accounting for approximately 70% of the total reserves or 50 billion tons. It is also the second-largest producer with most of the production coming from Bou Craa mine in Western Sahara.

Why is phosphate mining bad?

Synthetic phosphate fertilizer poses a serious threat to our environment. Phosphate rock mining, along with the inorganic fertilizers and animal feed supplements and pesticides for which phosphate is mined, pollute our air, contaminate our water and destroy invaluable wildlife habitat.

What country produces the most phosphate?

China
Phosphate Fertilizer Production

What is the main source of income in Morocco?

The major resources of the Moroccan economy are agriculture, phosphate minerals, and tourism. Sales of fish and seafood are important as well. Industry and mining contribute about one-third of the annual GDP.