Phosphorous (P) is an essential element for plant and animal nutrition. Phosphate rock minerals are the only source of phosphorous globally. Most of the phosphorus is consumed in nitrogen – phosphorous – potassium fertilisers, which are used on food crops. Phosphate is mined either as a sedimentary deposit or as a hard rock deposit often associated with carbonatite complexes. Major products produced are The USA, China and Morocco are the world’s major producers.