GEOCHEMICAL AND INDUSTRIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PHOSPHATE-BEARING ROCKS IN SEVEN LIBYAN AREAS

Libya has an abundance of mineral resources, (such as phosphate deposits), but its economy is largely reliant on gas and oil. In this work, the phosphate-bearing rocks in the Al Fuqaha, Sabha, Idri, Hasi Anjiwal, Tikiumit, Wadi Tanezzuft, and Anay sheets are evaluated for their geochemical and industrial characteristics. The phosphate-bearing rocks are detected in a variety of formations, including the Melaz Suqran Formation (Late Ordovician), the Akakus Formation (Late Silurian), the Awainat Wanin Formation (Middle-Late Devonian), the Marar Formation (Early Carboniferous), the Assedjefar Formation (Early Carboniferous), the Zarzaitine Formation (Late Permian-Early Triassic), and the Zimam Formation (Late Cretaceous-Late Paleocene). According to the findings, there are three different types of phosphate-bearing rocks: (1) Phosphorite rocks; (2) Phosphatic rocks; and (3) Phosphatized rocks. Most of the phosphorite samples are mainly derived from marine origin, while the remaining samples are mainly resulted from detrital input. The phosphatic rocks are of low quality, whereas the phosphorites range in quality from medium to high. Although the Marar Formation in Tikiumit Sheet satisfies all fertilizer industry standards, the Fe2O3 content requires treatment. Artificial bone can be made from the Awainat Wanin Formation in Sabha Sheet, but only after the Ca/P ratio has been processed to the proper level.