Norway, known for its natural beauty and renewable energy initiatives, has made a groundbreaking mineral discovery that could have a significant impact on the global supply of key components for green technologies.
A large deposit of phosphate, a valuable ore rich in phosphorus, has been found in southwestern Norway. The discovery, made by Norge Mining in 2018 but only revealed in May 2023, is estimated to contain a staggering 70bn tonnes of phosphate.
Phosphorus is a crucial component in various green technologies, including electric vehicles, solar panels, and fertilizer. This discovery comes at a critical time as Europe has been facing supply issues, particularly due to geopolitical factors affecting phosphate imports.
With Russia controlling the largest phosphate deposit and imports being curtailed following the Ukraine invasion, the European Union has been concerned about potential shortages. Moreover, countries like Morocco, China, Iran, and Syria, which also possess large phosphate deposits, have faced disruptions due to conflicts and rising fertilizer costs.
The significance of the phosphate shortage was highlighted in a report issued by The Hague in 2012, which warned of impending shortages. Scientists have since raised alarms about a "phosphogeddon," emphasizing the need for better management of phosphorus resources.
Professor Phil Haygarth of Lancaster University stressed the importance of using phosphorus wisely.
"If we don't, we face a calamity,” Professor Phil noted
Furthermore, Professor Penny Johnes from Bristol University further emphasized the criticality of phosphorus.
“There is no life on Earth without phosphorus," Professor Penny bluntly stated,
The newly discovered phosphate deposits in Scandinavia have the potential to alleviate these concerns for the foreseeable future. Norge Mining has confirmed that these deposits could theoretically meet global demand for batteries and solar panels for up to 100 years. Jan Christian Vestre, Norway's Minister of Trade and Industry, acknowledged the significance of the find and stressed the country's commitment to developing the world's most sustainable mineral industry.
Annually, the global economy consumes approximately 45mn metric tonnes of phosphorus. Once mined, the ore can be processed into phosphoric acid and utilized for a wide range of applications, including the production of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and animal feed. However, the refining process for phosphorus has historically been carbon-intensive, which has led to limited production in Europe in recent years. Norge Mining plans to address this concern by employing carbon capture and storage technologies to offset the environmental impact of production, although the effectiveness of these methods is still a subject of debate.
The significance of this discovery extends beyond phosphate. The site also contains substantial deposits of critical raw materials such as titanium, commonly used for joint replacements and aircraft construction, and vanadium, which enhances the strength of steel. The presence of these additional resources further underscores the potential economic and industrial benefits that Norway could harness from this mineral find.
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