New phosphate mine

A new source of phosphate rock from Australia is being trialled by fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown.

A shipment of 5000 tonnes from the newly commissioned Ardmore mine in Queensland reached New Zealand in December.

Ravensdown general manager supply chain Mike Whitty says that while it’s early days, the high-grade rock could firm up local supply of superphosphate for New Zealand farmers.

NZ is reliant on phosphate imports, the bulk of which is sourced from Togo in West Africa, along with China, Christmas Island and Nauru.

The phosphate rock will undergo rigorous quality testing in NZ and will be processed at its Christchurch and Dunedin manufacturing sites. Rocks from different sources are blended during the manufacturing process to ensure chemical specifications are met under the FertMark Quality Scheme while managing acceptable levels of cadmium.