Colombia opens tender for phosphate blocks
Colombia opened a tender to award four phosphate-prone blocks as part of a campaign to expand and diversify mining investment.
Blocks 6, 7, 8 and 10 are located in the central department of Boyacá and the southern department of Huila.
"Phosphoric rock is used for production of fertilizers, animal food and ceramics. We are seeing a significant increase in their prices . . . and local and international demand will keep increasing with very competitive prices," mines and energy minister Diego Mesa told Argus on the sidelines of today's launch.
Future phosphate production could be used at home and exported too, Mesa said, noting that domestic and international firms have shown interest in the areas.
Colombia currently produces 42,659t of phosphorus and the country imports fertilizers to supply local consumption. The top local supplier is Venezuela's distressed state-owned Monomeros.
The government has identified 3.36mn hectares of potential phosphate-producing acreage in five departments.
"This is the first round, but over time, we will be launching more and more phosphate areas," Colombian mining agency (ANM) president Juan Miguel Duran said today.
ANM will open bids on 22 November, with the possibility of counteroffers.
Only 761 hectares of phosphate areas are currently in production, ANM said.
Phosphate rock is processed to produce phosphorous, one of the three main nutrients most commonly used in fertilizers. Phosphate can also be turned into phosphoric acid, which is used in everything from food and cosmetics to animal feed and electronics.
Most of Colombia's mining industry is focused on coal. The government is promoting copper as well as gold and phosphates to re-position the sector.
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Washington, 28 March (Argus) — The indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore after a bridge collapse Tuesday morning will likely have a limited short-term impact on organic agriculture imports due to seasonal trends and the location of key import infrastructure. While Baltimore is the US' largest organic ag import port by volume, April is historically the month with the smallest volume of organic imports into the port. About 5,000 metric tonnes (t) of organic corn, soybean, sunflower, and canola products combined come through Baltimore in April on average for the past three years, according to Argus data. May organic agricultural imports through Baltimore average about 17,000 t, but the largest volumes are not expected until the third and fourth quarters, according to Argus organic market research. Organic whole soybeans and soybean meal are the main commodities imported to Baltimore in April which will likely be curtailed. This includes container shipments of organic soybeans and soybean meal from African countries and India, and organic sunflower products from Argentina. Bulk organic shipments to Baltimore are less likely to be curtailed by the port closure since most of those come through facilities at Sparrows Point, which is outside the port and still accessible, according to market participants. In 2023, 92pc of the volume of organic agriculture corn, soybean, sunflower, and canola products imported to Baltimore in April and May was via bulk shipments. On average, 90,000 t of organic corn and 110,000 t of organic soybean products enter the US through Baltimore annually. This accounts for roughly 32pc of total organic corn and 21pc of total organic soybean product imports to the US. Total impact of the port closure on the organic agriculture market is still uncertain, but for now shippers are diverting to other ports in light of the closure. By Rachel Nelson US organic imports into Baltimore (2021-2023 average) 1,000 T Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Mosaic plant sustains minor damage from fire
Mosaic plant sustains minor damage from fire
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Brazil, France launch €1bn program to protect Amazon
Brazil, France launch €1bn program to protect Amazon
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Bridge collapse disrupts Baltimore UAN imports
Bridge collapse disrupts Baltimore UAN imports
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