Phosphate production hasincreased by ten thousand tons in the second quarter of 2018, compared to the same period of 2017, said Hachem Hmidi, Secretary of State for the Minister of Energy, responsible for Mines. Tunisian phosphate output is expected to reach 4.5 million metric tonnes ( mt ) this year after production increased by 500 % in Q2 . Output will double with the launch of three new projects , said Hachem Ali , secretary of state for the Minister of Energy , without giving a timeframe . The Meknassi project in the El Bouzid governorate is starting in a few weeks and estimated to produce 500,000 tons , while the Sra Ouertane project in Kef governorate will be able to produce 4 to 5 million tons , and Tozeur - Nafta has a 2.5 million tons capacity .
Tunisian phosphate output is expected to reach 4.5 million metric tonnes ( mt ) this year after production increased by 500 % in Q2 . Output will double with the launch of three new projects , said Hachem Ali , secretary of state for the Minister of Energy , without giving a timeframe . The Meknassi project in the El Bouzid governorate is starting in a few weeks and estimated to produce 500,000 tons , while the Sra Ouertane project in Kef governorate will be able to produce 4 to 5 million tons , and Tozeur - Nafta has a 2.5 million tons capacity .