There are three phosphate rock deposits and fifteen manifestations of phosphate rocks in Tajikistan, Ilhomjon Oimuhammadzoda, the head of the Main Geology Directorate under the Government of Tajikistan, told reporters in Dushanbe on February 1.

According to him, the total possible reserves of these deposits and manifestations are more than 65 million tons. 

“Tajikistan will start development of these deposits and manifestations for production of mineral fertilizers” Oimuhammadzoda said. 

Phosphorites found in Tajikistan reportedly contain various elements -- microfertilizers from which phosphate flour can be obtained and superphosphate can be produced.  

It is to be noted that no one company in Tajikistan is currently engaged in developing phosphate rock deposits and processing phosphate rocks. 

Phosphorite, phosphate rock or rock phosphate is a non-detrital sedimentary rock that contains high amounts of phosphate minerals.

Approximately 90% of rock phosphate production is used for fertilizer and animal feed supplements and the balance for industrial chemicals.  In addition to phosphate fertilizers for agriculture, phosphorus from rock phosphate is also used in animal-feed supplements, food preservatives, baking flour, pharmaceuticals, anticorrosion agents, cosmetics, fungicides, insecticides, detergents, ceramics, water treatment and metallurgy.