Barely a day goes by without gold, rare earths, or critical minerals dominating the mining news headlines. Phosphate mining is rarely mentioned outside agricultural or industrial circles, yet this essential nutrient underpins one of the most critical systems on Earth – food production.
It’s been more than 350 years since the accidental isolation of phosphorus from urine by German alchemist Hennig Brandt, who was searching for the elusive ‘philosopher’s stone’ — a mythical substance thought to transform base metals into gold.
Although Brandt did not find what he was looking for, the alchemist had in fact stumbled across one of the key elements essential for life on Earth — from the very humans who inhabit the planet to the food we eat.
Phosphorus is a component of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), essential for cell membranes, energy transactions in all living cells, and is critical for teeth and bones.
In 2026, as world population growth continues and climate pressures continue to mount, phosphate mining is at a critical juncture — meeting rising demand for food and renewable technologies while managing environmental impacts and finite resources.
This continued growth in global population translates into continued demand for phosphate fertilisers for use in agriculture. Phosphate products are also used in animal feeds, as a leavening agent in baking powder and flour, as an additive to beverages and in pharmaceuticals. Industrial uses include water softening, rust proofing, fire proofing, in insecticides and detergents, and for the manufacture of elemental phosphorus.
Without phosphates mined from the ground and processed into fertilisers, modern agriculture would not be possible. The industry quietly sustains crops, livestock, and ultimately human populations, shaping economies and global geopolitics in ways far removed from its often unglamorous extraction processes.
Since phosphate production was first recorded in 1847 in England, more than 2 billion tonnes of phosphate rock has been mined globally, as reported by the South Australian Government.
Sowing the seeds of sustainability
As global economies increasingly manoeuvre to source and produce critical minerals and develop supply chains in a bid to temper China’s dominance. Understanding this commodity’s importance and the challenges ahead offers rare insight into how mining directly intersects with global food security and long-term sustainability.
The CSIRO notes some regions of the world have naturally phosphorus-fertile soils, or are oversupplied with phosphorus, such as in western Europe, for example. Phosphorus fertiliser use in these areas is often highly regulated or in decline as a result of oversupply leading to polluted waterways.
However, other regions, including about 30% of the world’s arable land, have low phosphorus availability and are dependent on phosphorus fertiliser to maintain high crop and pasture production (for example Australia, New Zealand, Africa, to name a few).
So, what is phosphate? Phosphate rock is a general term referring to rock with high concentrations of phosphate minerals, most commonly those of the apatite family with the general formula Ca5(PO4CO3)3(F,OH,Cl).
Some 90% of phosphate mined is used to produce chemical fertilisers, according to the South Australian Government. Phosphorus is one of the three major nutrients required by plants (the others are nitrogen and potassium), controlling the transfer and storage of energy at the cellular level and playing a crucial role in metabolic processes.
For general use in the fertiliser industry, it’s preferred for phosphate rock or its concentrates to have levels of about 30% phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), reasonable amounts of calcium carbonate (5%), and less than 4% combined iron and aluminium oxides.
“This sent shockwaves around the world. People began taking stock of how critical phosphorus is for global food production, and whether we could cope with shortages in supply”
Globally, the resources of high-grade ore are finite and are in decline, with the beneficiation of lower grade ore by washing, flotation, and calcining becoming more widespread, as reported by the CSIRO.
In 2009, an assessment of the known global phosphorus reserves — the rock phosphate deposits, loosely defined as economically viable to mine for fertiliser production — indicated that their longevity was very limited (decades).
“This sent shockwaves around the world. People began taking stock of how critical phosphorus is for global food production, and whether we could cope with shortages in supply,” according to a 2019 CSIRO report authored by Richard Simpson.
“New audits of the global phosphorus reserves followed the initial assessment and quickly dispelled the immediacy of the apparent crisis. It was re-estimated that we have about 200-300 years of supply at current rates of use.
“While it’s unlikely that phosphorus use will remain static (it may increase as demand for food grows), technology is also not static. The world also has vast phosphorus ‘resources’ — deposits that are currently not economic to mine. It’s entirely feasible that increases in the price paid for phosphorus and improved mining and processing technologies will open up these resources.
“These assessments heightened global awareness of the importance of phosphorus for food security and it’s recognised that the efficient use of phosphorus must be improved. The effectiveness of phosphorus use in food production and recycling it for reuse in agriculture are, consequently, key areas for research.”
As of 2017, world phosphate resources were estimated by the US Geological Survey at circa 300,000Mt, of which 95% are sedimentary and 5% are igneous. GeoScienceWorld reports current known USGS reserve estimates are sufficient for a maximum of 200 to 300 years, echoing the sentiments of Simpson.
“The exploration and discovery of new resources, enhanced mining technologies, and new technologies aimed at the recovery and recycling of P (phosphorus) from sewage and agricultural runoff will all contribute to extending P production,” GeoScienceWorld reports.
Growing concerns for phosphate mining
As previously noted, phosphate rock is a naturally occurring mineral that contains high concentrations of phosphate ions — the raw material for phosphorus, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Geologists classify phosphate deposits into several types, but the most economically significant are marine sedimentary phosphorites and apatite-rich igneous rocks.
Once mined, phosphate rock typically undergoes beneficiation, which is a process that removes clay, sand, and other impurities that is later treated with sulphuric acid to produce phosphoric acid. This acid is the feedstock for most phosphate fertilisers, including monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP), which together supply essential phosphorus to crops around the world, according to Geographical. Published in the UK since 1935, Geographical is the official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).
Almost 90% of mined phosphate rock goes directly into fertiliser production, making it an invisible but indispensable part of feeding billions.
Crops, soils, and population growth
Phosphorus — the element extracted from phosphate rock — is one of the three primary nutrients required by plants alongside nitrogen and potassium, mentioned earlier. It’s central to energy transfer within the plant, root development and seed formation, and without it, yields decline sharply.
Global demand for phosphorus fertilisers is directly linked to population growth and agricultural intensification. According to industry analyses, phosphate production was recorded at more than 220 million tonnes globally in recent years, with consumption well over 45 million tonnes annually – reflecting robust ongoing demand for fertilisers, as previously reported by Mining.com.au.
Because phosphorus has no synthetic alternative, the world depends on mined phosphate rock to sustain crop yields. That positions phosphate mining not just as an industrial activity, but as a cornerstone of global food security.
Potash, or potassium, on the other hand, helps the “blood flow” of a plant, which is essential for growth and yield. It’s primarily sourced from large underground deposits, with muriate of potash (MOP) and sulphate of potash (SOP) being the most common types.
MOP is the most economical of the potassium fertilisers, and the most commonly used. It is used for sugarcane, pastures, and many horticultural crops.
SOP provides plants with greater resistance to weather and disease, alongside promoting the development and colour of flowers and increased fruit yields.
Where the world’s phosphate rocks are
Phosphate deposits are geographically uneven, and a small number of regions dominate global supply. Morocco and Western Sahara hold the largest reserves by a significant margin, giving North Africa a central place in the global phosphate sector.
Other major producers include China, the US, Russia, Jordan, Egypt, and Algeria, each with varying degrees of mining activity and export capacity.
In Australia, significant phosphate resources exist, notably in the Georgina Basin and at deposits like Mount Weld, though development has been constrained by infrastructure and market dynamics at times.
Australia’s fertiliser market has exhibited robust growth, with revenue expanding at a compound annual growth rate of almost 4% over the past few years, according to market analysis by IBISWorld.
This trend positioned the industry in Australia to reach an estimated $6.8 billion in revenue in 2025.
The country’s fertiliser manufacturers supply phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and sulphur fertilisers, as well as a mix of high-analysis blends and trace elements. Between 6 and 7 million tonnes of fertiliser are sold each year. However, IBISWorld reports only half of this is manufactured locally, with the remainder imported.
“This means the industry is susceptible to global supply-side shocks, with little control over fertiliser prices”
“This means the industry is susceptible to global supply-side shocks, with little control over fertiliser prices. Recently, the pandemic, the European natural gas crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have wreaked havoc on global fertiliser supply chains, dramatically escalating fertiliser prices, and the effects have also been felt on Australian soil,” IBISWorld reports.
Fertiliser plays a critical role in Australia’s agricultural sector as it provides essential nutrients that enhance soil fertility and increase crop yields. This contribution supports farmers in improving productivity, as well as bolstering the overall economic stability by ensuring a reliable food supply.
Three primary essential minerals are needed for fertilisers — potash, phosphate, and ammonia. These minerals are considered vital for optimising soil health and sustaining agricultural output.
These concentrated reserve patterns have broader implications. Countries that lack domestic phosphate resources must import fertilisers, making them vulnerable to price swings and supply disruptions. That vulnerability was spotlighted in recent years when geopolitical tensions and price volatility in agricultural inputs reverberated through global commodity markets.
Environmental realities of phosphate mining
Like all extractive industries, phosphate mining carries significant environmental consequences. Strip mining, which is the most common method for mining phosphate rock, involves removing the land surface to access underlying ore. This process disrupts ecosystems, alters landscapes, and displaces vegetation and wildlife, as reported by Alpha Organic.
Even after beneficiation and processing, challenges remain. PubMed Central notes producing phosphoric acid generates phosphogypsum – a waste product that often contains concentrated impurities including uranium and thorium, and needs careful management to avoid contamination of soil and water.
Water usage and contamination are also ongoing concerns. Wastewater and runoff from phosphate operations can carry phosphorus and trace contaminants into rivers and lakes, triggering eutrophication – the rapid growth of algae that depletes oxygen and devastates aquatic life.
Air quality can also suffer. Alpha Organic says dust and emissions from mining and processing sites can degrade local environments and pose health risks for nearby communities. These environmental dynamics underscore why phosphate mining, essential as it is, is also a source of tension with regulators, local communities, and conservation advocates.
Despite such environmental concerns, phosphate mining can deliver economic benefits, particularly in regions with significant deposits. The establishment of mines leads to job creation, infrastructure investment, and regional development.
For countries heavily reliant on agriculture, domestic phosphate supply can reduce import costs and support sovereign food systems.
‘Peak phosphorus’: 2030 and beyond
Looking toward 2030 and beyond, phosphate mining faces dual pressures — meeting growing demand and reducing its environmental footprint. One recurring theme in scientific and policy circles is the idea of “peak phosphorus” — the point at which economically recoverable phosphate reserves reach their maximum and begin to decline.
Some studies suggest that easily accessible high-grade ores are being depleted, pushing production into lower-grade deposits that require more energy and processing to extract useful phosphate, as reported by Geographical.
At the same time, innovation is emerging in fields like phosphate recycling. Technologies that recover phosphorus from wastewater, agricultural runoff, or even sewage treatment infrastructure could help slow depletion rates and reduce reliance on virgin rock.
While still early at commercial scale, such circular economy approaches are gaining attention as sustainable complements to conventional mining.
One area of current research is investigating new crop and pasture varieties. Researchers at CSIRO and NSW Department of Primary Industry have demonstrated that alternative pasture legumes – serradellas – are likely to require up to 30% less phosphorus fertiliser than subterranean clover, which has been a mainstay of southern Australian agriculture for more than 100 years.
The CSIRO says serradellas have long, fine roots with long root hairs that allow them to access phosphorus in soil at substantially lower concentrations than clovers. They can be just as productive, and broadening their use would complement pastures presently based on subterranean clover.
As Richard Simpson notes in his June 2019 CSIRO report, Australia has already made progress.
“Serradellas are prized for pasture production on light, acidic soils and in rotation with crops. The key to wider use of serradella is development of cultivars that regenerate reliably each year and persist at high plant densities in Australia’s permanent grass-legume pasture systems on heavier soils,” he writes.
“Phosphorus fertilisers are a significant cost to Australian farmers. Any improvements in phosphorus efficiency will also improve farm profitability and help farmers cope with future increases in phosphorus fertiliser costs.
“Phosphorus fertilisers are a significant cost to Australian farmers. Any improvements in phosphorus efficiency will also improve farm profitability and help farmers cope with future increases in phosphorus fertiliser costs.”
Phosphate mining sits at a strategic intersection of agriculture, environment, and industrial policy. Its products fuel the fertilisers that feed crops and livestock, underpinning food systems that nourish billions. At the same time, it drives industrial chemicals used in animal feed, detergents, water treatment and more.
As the global population grows and pressures on arable land intensify, demand for effective phosphorus fertilisation remains strong. The industry is responding with innovations in sustainability, recycling and operational efficiency — moving beyond extraction toward a more circular and climate-responsible model.
What emerges by 2030 may not be a dramatically larger industry in volume alone, but it could be a more efficient, more sustainable and increasingly strategic one, balancing global food needs with environmental stewardship.
Phosphate mining may not often capture public attention, but its role in feeding the world — quietly, persistently, and indispensably — makes it one of the most important stories in global mining today.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: iStock & Unsplash
