Ground Rock Phosphate

Ground Rock Phosphate from Pakistan

Ground rock phosphate is produced by finely milling natural phosphate ore (fluorapatite) into a sandy-beige to light brown powder. The grinding process increases the mineral’s surface area, making the phosphorus more accessible for soil reactions and industrial processing. GRP is the most economical form of phosphorus fertilizer for acidic soils and is also used as a P₂O₅ source in fertilizer blending, granulation, and chemical manufacturing. Pakistan’s phosphate deposits yield ore that is milled into a range of standard powder grades at grinding plants near the mining areas.

Specifications

• Mineral: Fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F)

• P₂O₅ Content: 18-32% (grade-dependent)

• CaO: 38-50%

• SiO₂: 2-12%

• Fe₂O₃: 0.5-3%

• Al₂O₃: 0.5-3%

• MgO: 0.5-2%

• F: 2-4%

• Cd: < 20 ppm

• Moisture: < 2%

• pH: 6.5-7.5

• Colour: Sandy-beige to light brown

Available Mesh Sizes

• 100 mesh (150 microns)

• 200 mesh (75 microns)

• 325 mesh (45 microns)

• 400 mesh (37 microns)

• Custom grinds available

Industrial Uses

• Direct-application phosphorus fertilizer: GRP is applied directly to acidic soils (pH < 5.5) where it gradually dissolves in soil acids and releases phosphorus over 2-5 years. It is the most cost-effective phosphorus source for perennial crops, pastures, plantations, and organic farming systems where slow-release nutrition is preferred

• Organic farming: GRP is approved as a phosphorus input in most organic farming certification programs (USDA NOP, EU Organic, IFOAM) as it is a natural, unprocessed mineral. It is one of the few permitted phosphorus sources in certified organic crop production

• Fertilizer blending and granulation: GRP is used as the P₂O₅ component in NPK dry-blend and compound fertilizer manufacturing. It is blended with urea, potash, and micronutrients to produce balanced compound fertilizers for specific crop requirements

• SSP and TSP production: Ground rock phosphate is the feedstock for single superphosphate (SSP) and triple superphosphate (TSP) fertilizer plants. Finer grinding improves acid reaction rates and conversion efficiency

• Phosphoric acid production: Fine GRP is used as feedstock in wet-process phosphoric acid plants. Finer particle size increases digestion speed and P₂O₅ recovery in the sulphuric acid reaction

• Animal feed (DCP/MCP): Low-cadmium GRP is processed into dicalcium phosphate (DCP) and monocalcium phosphate (MCP) for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed as a phosphorus and calcium supplement

• Compost and soil amendment: GRP is blended into compost, vermicompost, and organic soil amendments to enrich phosphorus content

• Reclamation of degraded soils: GRP is applied to degraded, phosphorus-depleted, and eroded soils to restore fertility and support revegetation

Quality Assurance

Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis reporting P₂O₅, CaO, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, MgO, F, Cd, heavy metals, moisture, pH, and particle size distribution. Cadmium content is tested for every lot. Pre-shipment samples are provided for buyer approval. Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, or equivalent) can be arranged on request.