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Wikipedia says 260 years: > In 2021, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that economically extractable phosphate rock reserves worldwide are 7
by lambdaba 5y ago
Wikipedia says 260 years:
> In 2021, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that economically extractable phosphate rock reserves worldwide are 71 billion tons, while world mining production in 2020 was 223 million tons. Assuming zero growth, the reserves would thus last for 260 years.
- philipkglass 5y agoPhosphorus is one of the more common elements on Earth. It's more common than carbon, sulfur, or nitrogen (to name 3 other elements essential to life): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundance_of_elements_in_Earth%27s_crust https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundance_of_elements_in_Earth... Lower grade phosphorus-bearing minerals could also be refined to concentrate the phosphorus. But there's little current incentive to do so when the tried-and-true process starting with phosphate rock will be adequate for a couple more centuries.