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. This production should reach 4.5 million tons by the end of 2018, he estimated, predicting that the domestic phosphate production will double with the launch of three new public projects. Among these projects is the one in Meknassi (Sidi Bouzid governorate) which will start in a few weeks, with an estimated initial production capacity of 500,000 tons of phosphate, he said. There is also the gigantic project of Sra Ouertane (Kef governorate), with a production capacity of 4 to 5 million tons, and that of Tozeur-Nafta, with a capacity of 2.5 million tons. tons. Moreover, efforts are made daily to ensure, by 2019, the return of production at its 2011 pace, said the Secretary of State.
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 .