عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Tunisia Plans to Boost Phosphate Production

A worker works at a phosphate mine in Metlaoui, Tunisia April 6, 2012. Reuters/Zoubeir Souissi/File
A worker works at a phosphate mine in Metlaoui, Tunisia April 6, 2012. Reuters/Zoubeir Souissi/File
TT
20
TT

Tunisia Plans to Boost Phosphate Production

A worker works at a phosphate mine in Metlaoui, Tunisia April 6, 2012. Reuters/Zoubeir Souissi/File
A worker works at a phosphate mine in Metlaoui, Tunisia April 6, 2012. Reuters/Zoubeir Souissi/File

Tunisia has been working on implementing projects for a 30 percent increase, around 5 million tons, in its annual production of phosphate in 2019.

According to initial forecasts, the Tunisian output of phosphate won’t exceed 4 million tons by the end of this year, which amounts to only 50 percent of the country’s production in 2010.

The government has allocated TND140 million (around USD50 million) for developing the strategic phosphate sector and accessing foreign currency reserves.

A series of studies regarding the economic feasibility of several phosphate-related projects would be carried out, according to documents submitted by the government within the fiscal law of 2019.

These projects would contribute to supporting the Tunisian production of phosphate and regaining access to lost markets.

The extraction of phosphate in Tunisia has dropped due to the rise in production levels elsewhere, especially in Morocco, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. Further, prices of its derivatives have gone downwards because of production surplus in the global market, in addition to the continuous drop in demand on phosphate fertilizers namely by India.

Around 75 percent of the Tunisian phosphate production exports reach European markets. But the drop in exports came after repeated protests in the main producing southwestern region of Gafsa.

Tunisia used to export phosphate to around 20 countries.

Most Viewed

 
Business

Egypt Makes Progress in its Nuclear Energy Project

Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
TT
20
TT

Egypt Makes Progress in its Nuclear Energy Project

Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)

Egypt has reported significant progress in the construction of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant in the country’s northwest, a project being developed in cooperation with Russia. The government announced on Tuesday that more than 20% of the project has been completed.

Egypt and Russia signed a cooperation agreement on November 19, 2015, to establish the nuclear power station at a cost of $25 billion, funded through a Russian government loan. The final agreements for El-Dabaa were signed in December 2017.

The plant will consist of four nuclear reactors with a total generation capacity of 4,800 megawatts, each producing 1,200 megawatts. The first reactor is scheduled to begin operations in 2028, with the remaining units coming online gradually as part of Egypt’s energy mix.

In its quarterly performance report, the Egyptian government stated that the project aligns with efforts to expand the peaceful use of nuclear energy within the national power grid.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized in November the importance of executing energy projects efficiently and on schedule, calling them a pillar of Egypt’s development strategy. He underscored the need to adhere to the project timeline while ensuring the highest standards of execution and workforce training.

Also in November, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the project, stating that El-Dabaa would enhance renewable energy capacity and stabilize the national power grid.

In early March, Russia’s Atomstroyexport announced that construction on the second reactor at El-Dabaa had progressed ahead of schedule. According to the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority, the second tier of the inner containment structure had been installed at the reactor building.

Egypt experienced widespread power outages last summer, which ended in late July after securing sufficient fuel supplies for its power plants.

The El-Dabaa project is part of Egypt’s strategy to diversify its energy sources, generate electricity to meet domestic demand, and reduce reliance on imported gas and other fuels.

On Tuesday, the government also announced an additional 200 megawatts of private-sector solar power capacity as part of its efforts to expand renewable energy. Officials said the move would support energy diversification and advance the country’s sustainable development strategy.