Estonia may resume phosphorites mining next year

Lääne-Viru district of Estonia- a potential site for production of phosphorites in the country. Photo: Estonian

The government of Estonia, together with some local investors may consider the possibility of the resuming production of phosphorites within the territory of the country next year, according to recent statements, made by some leading local analysts in the field of mining and local media reports.

As part of these plans, the production of phosphorites may be resumed in the Lääne-Viru district of the country, that will be for the first time since the beginning of 1980s.

In the meantime, the current plans of the state have already sparked serious concerns from some environmentalists and representatives of local public, according to which Estonia currently experiences a shortage of technologies, which are necessary for phosphorites mining. This, according to them, may eventually lead to ecological disaster during the conduction of such works.

Phosphorite deposits are located in various places in northern Estonia. In general, phosphorite mining in the country began in 1924 and continued until 1991.