Lasky's relationship applied to the western phosphate field / United States

This research note examines the application of Lasky's relationship, a mathematical model describing the relationship between cumulative tonnage and grade of cumulative tonnage of phosphate ore in mineral deposits, to the Western Phosphate Field (WPF) in the United States. The historical context and principles of Lasky's relationship are discussed, emphasizing its relevance to understanding tonnage-grade dynamics in mining. Using an extensive dataset from the WPF, the study analyzes a wide range of phosphate grades. It shows a high degree of correlation between cumulative tonnage and average grade of cumulative tonnage across different regional states and different tectonic settings (basin and shelf). It also discusses potential limitations associated with the application of Lasky's relationship, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive geological data and cautious extrapolation, especially for lower grade materials. The study contributes to the understanding of tonnage-grade dynamics in phosphate deposits and suggests avenues for future research to extrapolate to lower grades below grades of factor 10 of the Clarke value that may become economically interesting and relevant to future phosphorus supply.