Rock Phosphate Lumps

Rock Phosphate Lumps from Pakistan

Rock phosphate is a sedimentary mineral rock containing high concentrations of phosphate minerals, predominantly fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F). It is the world’s sole commercially viable source of phosphorus, an element essential for plant growth, animal nutrition, and numerous industrial chemical processes. Pakistan’s phosphate-bearing formations occur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the northern geological belt, producing ore with a characteristic yellow-brown to grey appearance and earthy to compact texture.

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

• LOI: 4-10%

• Moisture: < 5%

• Specific Gravity: 2.8-3.2

• Colour: Yellow-brown to grey

Available Forms

• Run-of-mine (ROM) lumps: 0-300 mm

• Crushed lumps: 0-50 mm, 0-25 mm, 10-50 mm

• Screened sizes: 0-10 mm, 10-30 mm, 30-80 mm

• Custom sizing available

Industrial Uses

• Phosphoric acid production: Rock phosphate is reacted with sulphuric acid to produce phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), the essential intermediate for manufacturing DAP, MAP, TSP, and other phosphate fertilizers. This is the single largest consumer of rock phosphate globally

• Single superphosphate (SSP) production: Rock phosphate is directly reacted with sulphuric acid at lower concentration to produce SSP fertilizer (16-20% P₂O₅), a widely used phosphate fertilizer in developing agricultural markets

• Direct application fertilizer: Finely ground rock phosphate is applied directly to acidic soils as a slow-release phosphorus fertilizer. It gradually dissolves in soil acids, providing sustained phosphorus nutrition over multiple growing seasons

• Animal feed supplement: Low-cadmium, defluorinated rock phosphate is processed into dicalcium phosphate (DCP) and monocalcium phosphate (MCP) for use as phosphorus and calcium supplements in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed

• NPK compound fertilizer: Rock phosphate is a phosphorus source in NPK granulation plants producing compound fertilizers with balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios

• Phosphorus chemicals: Rock phosphate is the starting material for producing elemental phosphorus (P₄), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP, for detergents), phosphorus pentoxide, calcium phosphates, and other phosphorus-based chemicals

• Steel and ferro-alloy flux: Rock phosphate is used as a minor flux component in some blast furnace and ferro-alloy operations

• Ceramics: Phosphate minerals are used in specialty ceramic formulations and dental ceramics

Quality Assurance

Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis reporting P₂O₅, CaO, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, MgO, F, Cd, heavy metals, LOI, moisture, and size distribution. Cadmium content is a critical parameter for fertilizer and feed applications and 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.