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Phosphorus

Primary Applications

Fertilizers, animal feed, food and industrial phosphates, chemicals

Mining Significance

Phosphorus is not mined as elemental phosphorus; it is obtained primarily from phosphate rock, chiefly apatite-group minerals. Phosphate ore is beneficiated to produce concentrate for phosphoric acid and fertilizer manufacture. Grade, carbonate content, silica, magnesium, trace elements, and mineral liberation all influence beneficiation and acidulation performance.

Industries

None listed
15
P
Phosphorus
30.97

Key Properties

  • Highly reactive nonmetal that does not occur naturally as a free element.
  • Essential biological nutrient present in DNA, ATP, and bone minerals.
  • Occurs naturally primarily as phosphate minerals.
  • Elemental phosphorus has several allotropes, including white and red phosphorus.
  • Phosphate chemistry is fundamental to fertilizer production.