Mining Intelligence and News
Jordan

Wadi Al-Abiad Mine

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Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Phosphate rock
  • Phosphate
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
  • Dragline
Production Start... Lock
SnapshotThe Wadi Al-Abiad mine produces of regular washed phosphate.

Phosphate in Wadi Al-Abiad location is considered to be an extension to the phosphate ore in Al-Hassa.

The Jordan Phosphate is studying establishment of a phosphate flotation plant in Al-Hassa and Al-Abiad Mines. To rationalize the use of resources, recycle them and preserve the environment by the exploitation of rejected store phosphate on the BOT principles with a production estimated at (0.5) million tons of high-percentage phosphate.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Jordan Phosphate Mines Co. PLC (operator) 100 % Indirect
The Al-Abiad mine is owned and governed by the Jordan Phosphate Mines.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Sedimentary

Summary:

Phosphate rock deposits in Jordan are sedimentary in origin and have a high P205 content capable of producing high-grade TCP concentrate phosphate rock.

In sedimentary deposits such as those found in Jordan, the ore generally consists of phosphate particles ranging from 20 mm to 50 microns in size, sand and clay ranging from one mm to less than two microns. Clay can be present in large lumps, but scrubbing and wetting with water will generally reduce it to its natural grain size of less than two microns. The ore beds generally rest on hard limestone and are overlain by overburden sand.

The phosphorites of Jordan are present within Al-Hisa Phosphorite Formation (AHP). In general, the AHP consists of phosphorites, bedded chert, limestones, oyster buildups, organic-rich marl (oil shale) and other rock types. The total thickness of the AHP is around 10 m in NW Jordan, 30 m in Ruseifa, 40-60 m in central Jordan, 10-17 m in Eshidiyya and 5-6 m in Zgaimat Al-Hasat in the SE desert ((Powell, 1989; Abed, 2000).

The AHP consists of three formal members, from older to younger Sulatani, Bahiyya and Qatrana. In central Jordan, the Sultani Member consists of alternating limestones, bedded chert and minor phosphorites. The Bahiyya Member consists of oyster banks or buildups up 30 m in thickness that are made of oyster fragment in clinoforms dipping general to the SE (Abed and Sadaqah, 1998). The Qatrana Member is the host of the high grade phosphorites. The grade phosphorites are friable with little calcareous cement. They are present as lenses (small basins) with a diameter ranging up to few kilometers and a thickness up 13 m.

The phosphate formations in the Upper Cretaceous and Eocene levels cover about 60% of the total area of Jordan. The phosphate formations of the Upper Cretaceous lie near the surface in the central part of the country, covering a wide belt. The Al-Hassa and Al-Abiad phosphate deposits are found in two horizons, but these deposits have a lenticular shape, in contrast to the Rusaifa and Eshidiya areas, where the deposits occur in continuous beds.

Phosphate in Wadi Al-Abiad location is considered to be an extension to the phosphate ore in Al-Hassa, where it is found at two geological levels. Most of Wadi Al-Abiad phosphate lies in the upper geological level.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

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Processing

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Production

CommodityUnits2023202220212020201920182017
Phosphate k tons  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe1,6041,2041,602
All production numbers are expressed as salt.

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jun 6, 2024
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