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.