This deposit represents an important reserve and also houses other minerals of strategic value.
The Norwegian company, Norge Mining, discovered a huge underground deposit of high-grade phosphate rock in Norway in 2018 and is today considered the largest in the world.
Phosphate rock is an essential element in the production of phosphorus, used in the fertilizer industry. In addition, the European Commission has included phosphate rock in its proposal for a Critical Raw Materials Act, highlighting the strategic importance of this resource.
According to the company, this deposit is large enough to meet the world’s demand for fertilizers, solar panels and electric car batteries for the next 100 years .
The Norwegian deposit is estimated to be at least 70 billion tons , nearly matching the world’s proven reserves of 71 billion tons assessed by the US Geological Survey in 2021.
Other phosphate deposits
Currently, the largest phosphate rock deposits are in the Western Sahara region of Morocco, with around 50 billion tonnes . China, Egypt and Algeria also have significant reserves according to US estimates.
Michael Wurmser, founder of Norge Mining, expressed the importance of this discovery, as it would give the West autonomy in the production of phosphorus and other essential elements.
In an emailed statement to EURACTIV, the European Commission welcomed the discovery and said it would contribute to the objectives proposed in the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Phosphate Rock Uses
Phosphorus extracted from phosphate rock is mainly used in agriculture for the production of fertilizers, accounting for approximately 90% of its global use.
However, phosphorus is also crucial for the production of solar panels , electric car batteries, and electronic components, albeit in smaller amounts.
These products have been identified as being of strategic importance for Europe in its transition towards sustainability and the manufacture of key technologies for the green and digital transition.
The scarcity of phosphorus and its increasing demand have led to an increase in prices in the market. Also, phosphorus refining is a carbon-intensive process, so most of the industry is concentrated in countries like China, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan.
Norway, on the other hand, has the opportunity to set stricter environmental standards and apply carbon capture and storage technology in the extraction and refining process.
an important discovery
The discovery of this deposit in Norway dates back to 2018, when Norge Mining made the find and confirmed its magnitude in collaboration with the Norwegian Geological Survey.
The deposit extends to a depth of 4,500 meters, instead of the initially estimated 300 meters. Through two drill programs in two zones, Norge Mining established two world-class phosphate rock resources that could supply raw materials for at least 50 years, down to a depth of 400 meters.
Although the Norwegian deposit contains an impressive amount of phosphate rock, it is also home to other minerals of strategic value, such as vanadium and titanium.
These minerals are classified by the European Union as critical raw materials and are used in various industries, including aerospace and defense. Although the exact magnitude of these deposits has not been revealed, their presence adds additional value to the discovery.
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