Rock phosphate is the critical raw material in the manufacture of phophatic fertilizers. Out of 145 million tonnes (MTI) of recoverable reserves of rock phosphate approximately 13.5 MT only have been estimated to be of high grade (+ 30 % P_2O_5) which are being mined by different government agencies for commercial purposes. The beneficiable grade (11-20% P_2O_5) are estimated to be 81.2 MT while the low grade reserves of rock phosphate are estimated to be 19 MT. The depletion of high grade phosphate ores has brought about a search for suitable economicaly viable technique/process for beneficiating available low grade phosphate reserves. Madhya Pradesh ranks second after Rajasthan in terms of rock phosphate reserves. The total reserves of rock phosphate in Madhya Pradesh are 36 MT. Excpet some recent efforts by RRL, Bhopal, no attempt has been made to beneficiate the low grade rock phosphate of Madhya Pradesh through an economically viable process. The explotiation of these beneficiable grade deposits is of immense importance to our country since it will increase the contribution of indigenous marketable grade of P_2O_5.
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