PHOSPHATE ROCK PROCESSING AND FERTILIZERS PRODUCTION AT AL-QAIM FERTILIZERS COMPLEX, IRAQ

Abstract

Phosphate rocks that have been discovered in Akashat area/ Anbar Governorate, provided the basis to establish the phosphate fertilizers industry in Iraq. The State Company for Phosphate was established for the investment and management of phosphate rocks in Akashat mine and fertilizer complex in Al-Qaim. The company’s products (including intermediate products) include sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and phosphate fertilizers such as TSP (Triple Super Phosphate), MAP (Mono-Ammonium Phosphate), and the compound fertilizers (NP and NPK). Production in the company began in 1983, but has faced many problems, especially since 1991. During this period, the production rate was not at the required level. Now Akashat mine and Al-Qaim fertilizers complex require complete rehabilitation in order to get the phosphate fertilizer production level back to its designed capacity.