Amman, July 7 (Petra) – A specialized scientific symposium entitled "Downstream Phosphate Industries in Jordan: Reality, Challenges, and Role in Supporting the National Economy within the Economic Modernization Vision" kicked off Monday in Amman. The event was organized by the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) in collaboration with the Jordanian Geologists Association.

JPMC Chairman Mohammad Thneibat emphasized that downstream industries are a cornerstone of the company’s strategy and align closely with His Majesty King Abdullah II’s Economic Modernization Vision (EMV), which seeks to maximize the added value of natural resources and foster balanced economic growth.

Thneibat noted that JPMC is guided by royal directives to attract investment, build global partnerships, and open new international markets to boost the value of Jordanian industry especially mining.

He highlighted JPMC’s commitment to advancing strategic projects that enhance the company’s production and technical capacities, transforming raw phosphate into advanced products that meet both local and global demand. This, he said, positions Jordan as a regional hub for phosphate-based fertilizers and chemicals, contributing to national economic growth and sustainable industrial development.

Thneibat added that JPMC has made significant strides in shifting from exporting raw phosphate to developing value-added downstream industries, particularly in fertilizer and chemical production. He called the symposium a vital platform for exchanging expertise and addressing challenges, stressing the role of innovation and modern technology in improving the sector’s competitiveness.

He also showcased the company’s achievements in profits, production, and sales, along with its contributions to national development through corporate social responsibility initiatives in education, healthcare, agriculture, sports, and support for charitable and small-scale enterprises, especially in areas near mining sites.

JPMC CEO Abdulwahab Al-Rowwad described the forum as timely, as Jordan intensifies efforts to capitalize on its natural wealth and expand its industrial base. He reiterated that Jordanian phosphate, as a strategic resource, is a pillar of the national economy and a priority within the modernization vision due to its export potential and role in revenue generation.

The symposium, Al-Rowwad said, addressed key themes including production technologies, regulatory frameworks, and the need to translate discussions into actionable strategies that meet market demands.

President of the Jordanian Geologists Association Khaled Shawabkeh stressed the importance of the mining sector to Jordan’s economy, given its abundant natural resources. He lauded JPMC as a national model of efficient resource investment and noted the crucial role Jordanian geologists have played in mapping phosphate reserves, supporting exploration, and shaping the industry.

Shawabkeh praised the company for its institutional development and expressed appreciation for its training programs for young geologists, helping equip them for domestic, regional, and global markets.

The symposium was attended by President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry Fathi Al-Jaghbir, President of the General Trade Union of Workers in Mining and Metal Industries Khaled Fanatsah, members of the Geologists Association and its scientific committee, investors, and JPMC site and department managers.

During two expert-led scientific sessions, participants discussed a wide range of topics, including clean energy applications of phosphate, yellow phosphorus opportunities and challenges, natural resources and value-added industries, the geological characteristics of Jordanian phosphate, the use of GIS in exploration, compound fertilizer manufacturing, and the economic impact of increasing production capacity at the Indo-Jordanian Chemicals Company. Discussions also covered regulatory frameworks, technical and logistical obstacles, and utilization of low-grade phosphate.

The forum concluded with a series of scientific and professional recommendations aimed at advancing Jordan’s downstream phosphate industry and boosting its role in national economic development through practical, actionable plans that serve the country’s sustainable industrial goals.

//Petra// AF

07/07/2025 21:40:30