PHOSPHORITE DEPOSITS

In the future, a nation’s ability to feed its citizens will depend on access to competitively priced phosphate, a necessary component of fertilizer. There is a mounting challenge worldwide to provide healthy and sufficient food to accommodate a growing population that is estimated to reach over nine billion people by 2050. This  will require 70% more food than is currently produced today.

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How Phosphate Forms

Phosphorites exist in a wide range of depositional environments.  Phosphorites may be present on the seabed or in the stratigraphic column. Generally, phosphorites are targeted on continental shelves and slopes usually in depths from 50 to 1000 meters. Several factors contribute to the formation and style of phosphorite mineralization, including a supply of phosphorus, low-oxygen bottom waters (suboxic), present or pre-existing complex oceanographic circulation patterns including upwelling, and a proper sedimentological setting. Styles of phosphate mineralization vary in form depending on formative setting and can range in size from sand to pebble to nodular material or may be present as hardgrounds (replacement of host rock) or crusts. 

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Why It Matters

Phosphate is the foundation of global fertilizer production—there is no substitute for it in growing crops at modern yield levels. As the world’s population expands and agricultural demand increases, access to reliable, high‑quality phosphate becomes a matter of food security.

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Phosphate also supports:

• Industrial chemicals

• Battery materials research

• Certain specialty alloys

• Water treatment technologies

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Because the U.S. and many of its allies rely heavily on foreign phosphate and imports refined fertilizers from abroad, securing additional regional sources strengthens supply chain stability and reduces exposure to geopolitical supply disruptions.

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Odyssey's Current

Phosphorite Deposit Projects