Jun, 2016 bone valley encompasses portions of presentday hardee, hillsborough, manatee, and polk counties. Geography of florida tampa bay area history of florida economic geology phosphate mines in the united states. Fipr institute 1855 west main street bartow, florida usa 33830 863 5347160. Unfortunately, sinkholes forming in westcentral florida are as likely to be related to regional phosphate mining as natural occurrences. Pdf environmental impact of phosphate mining and beneficiation. War, the attached maps of parts of polk and killlboroadh cotantie, florida, show the areas that have been ined for phosphat sinoe mining began in 1891, and the property owned by mining oomfunies both active and inactive, lt. Originally a spanish colony, mining began as early as 1671 with coquina quarries on anastasia island. The westernmost city in polk county, it is part of the tampa bay area. Florida contains the most massive known deposits of phosphate in the united states. Impact of potential phosphate mining on the hydrology of osceola national forest, florida by james a. History of phosphate industry in florida by bill woolwine, winter haven high school i. Now, the scrub jay population has rebounded and thrives. Staff are responsible for permitting, compliance, inspectionand enforcement at mine sites. Mineralogy and alteration of the phosphate deposits of florida.
The process of phosphate mining in florida phosphate mining in florida is a strip mining process. Sierra club florida, members featured throughout, have taken a stand with the community opposing this impending destructive and unneccessary mining. Just 15 years ago, the scrub jay had a small chance of survival. Many different minerals have been mined and processed in the development of the industrial growth in our country. Guide to the imc agrico phosphate company collection, 18901960 descriptive summary administrative summary biographical note scope note arrangement by series subject headings collection contents series 1. Phosphate mining in the united states news newspapers books. As of 2015, there are 10 active phosphate mines in four states. Hilleboroagh counties, landpobble phosphate district, florida by j. Florida sme and dreyer conference, dated october 6, 2015.
Florida phosphate mining dates back to deposits first found in alachua county, near hawthorne, in 1883. At the same time, mining created an autonomous alternative to sharecropping, enabling freedpeople to extract housing and labor concessions. Mining and beneficiation of sedimentary a phosphate ore b. The florida phosphate deposits are the most productive in the world. History of phosphate in florida history the phosphate risk. Central florida phosphate mining district bone valley, polk co. During 2010, seven mines in florida produced approximately 10% of the worlds phosphate supply and more than 65% of the phosphate in the united states usgs 2011. Pdf on jan 1, 2018, gebrehiwet reta and others published environmental impact of phosphate. Pdf on jul 22, 2011, khalid tarawneh and others published jordanian.
More information about the statutes and rules that apply to mining in florida can be found on the mining rules. Mos, the worlds largest phosphate producer, the us has a strong history of phosphate refining and production. A scientist who studies earths origin, history, and structure, including the. As part of the florida phosphate mining process, we designated 850 acres of habitat and worked with experts to relocate the endangered species. Minnesotabased mosaic phosphate scrapes off floridas surface land to get down to the bones of ancient sea creatures, which contain phosphate. The eastern phosphate deposits are mined from open pits. This area contains several phosphate processing plants that assist in the production of agricultural fertilizer. In the early years, phosphate ore was collected out of the river by hand. Phosphate florida department of environmental protection. Florida has been surface mined for phosphate for the last 120 years. Mining operations while most of mosaics mining operations use dragline machines, some areas use specialized dredges like the one shown here. Central florida phosphate mining district bone valley, polk.
How phosphate is mined and processes mining sedimentary phosphate tends to be found in loose sediment, so it can be mined with dredge lines or picks and shovels. Exploring what happens to the land after mining through reclamation history, laws. Phosphate mining in florida was initially confined to highgrade deposits in polk and hillsborough counties. An overview of phosphate mining and reclamation in florida.
Environmental groups seek second halt to a mosaic phosphate minemore than 100 phosphate mining jobs are at stake in the dispute. Endurance was imperative in the early years when phosphate mining was done with wheelbarrows, picks and shovels. In florida, the phosphate is found mainly in one layer of clay and sand thats about 1020 feet thick, and 1550 feet below the surface. The mining and mitigation program regulates mining in florida. With the coming of florida s railroads to haul it to ships in 1885, rock phosphate, the purest variety, was mined north and south of dunnellon on florida s rock phosphate ridge. In the meantime, we can accept orders for scans and prints by phone. North florida phosphate brochure pdf november 10, 2018 this pbs special 7 min. Information like the location, size, and shape of the ore is determined to focus the mining effort. A history of t he phosphate mining industry in the south. The economic vitality and environmental sustainability of southwest florida is at risk from many activities, but none of them more direct, predictable and quantifiable than the risk of phosphate strip mining. Florida memory mining phosphate at dunnellon florida. Lakeland is a city in polk county, florida, along interstate 4 east of tampa. The next area targeted for expanded strip mining is horse creek, a vital tributary in the peace river watershed.
Census bureau estimate, the city had a population of 110,516. Central floridas phosphate mines reported, we found a system of cruelty and. The western deposits are mined from both surface and underground mines. Florida phosphate production depends on stripmining, which results in the excavation of thousands of acres annually. Florida is home to our phosphate operations headquarters and many of our phosphate production facilities. From our mines to our offices, we are committed to being a great place to work, a responsible corporate citizen, a committed environmental steward, and a respected community partner. Reclamation standards for phosphate mining are detailed in part ii of chapter 211, part ii of chapter 378, florida statutes f. Mining and mitigation program florida department of. Florida currently contains the largest known deposits of phosphate in the united states. Jordanian phosphate mining company jpmc predecessor commenced its. A brief history of florida s phosphate business by donald e. The phosphate mining industry employed 2,200 people.
Florida sinkholes created by phosphate mining sinkholes are known to occur inside phosphogypsum stacks due to the added weight created by the stack. Central florida phosphate district southeastern geological society. History of phosphate industry in florida polk county public schools. Lesson summary summary the mining industry has played a key role in the development of world and united states history. Nov 17, 2008 in the cab of a large machine shoveling mined material into a pile to separate out phosphate from sand and clay. The stacks are also radioactive creating environmental hazards in and around all phosphate facilities.
A history of t he phosphate mining industry in the south carolina lowcountry by kristrina a. Before mining, exploratory cores are taken to measure the depth of the overburden and the thickness of the phosphate matrix. Despite the economic promise that phosphate mining may have held for the. Prehistoric florida, fossils and phosphate florida institute of. The bone valley is a region of central florida, encompassing portions of presentday hardee, hillsborough, manatee, and polk counties, in which phosphate is mined for use in the production of agricultural fertilizer. Heklaite from the area is an unintentional synthetic in industrial waste piles, a product of reaction between clay minerals and the hydrofluoric acidrich byproducts of superphosphate fertilizer. Florida phosphate mining dates back to the first hard rock deposits found near hawthorne in alachua county in 1883. The phosphate story watch the phosphate story for a nineminute view into mosaics phosphate mining, fertilizer production, reclamation and stewardship practices in florida. Sinkholes related to phosphate mining in the area have and still do occur by adding a large mass such as a phosphogypsum stack or by removing significant amounts of weight such as in phosphate strip mining. Fertilizer manual united nations industrial develop.
Florida phosphate not only helps farmers grow food, but also works to protect native wildlife like the scrub jay. Central florida s groundwater and aquifers are becoming extinct by watershed destruction via phosphate strip mining operations. The mining and mitigation program administers reclamation and stormwater management programs for mining operations in florida, including phosphate. Florida memory is a digital outreach program providing free online access to select archival records from collections housed in the state library and archives of florida. Floridas phosphate fields and business a brief history. Bone valley is renowned for fossils found and on display at the museum. Using extensive research, mckinley shows how the convergence of the phosphate and fertilizer industries carried longterm impacts for america and the south. Very soon, the mining was done the hard way with picks, shovels, wheelbarrows, strong backs, and sweat. Hopefully, phosphate rock producers, geologic surveys and mining departments, university. Oct 17, 2016 florida phosphate mining is destructive and dangerous, and we have taken part in legal challenges to the industry repeatedly over the years. Online ordering for florida memory photos, maps and films is temporarily unavailable, but will return soon. The mining process in florida begins with a field study to determine the location and density of the phosphate deposits.
Florida is comprised of cenozoic sedimentary rocks and sediments overlying the larger florida. Overburden, the layers of material above the phosphate, is removed to expose the phosphate reserve matrix. Phosphate is mined in florida and is an integral part of the economy of central florida. Florida s natural watersheds, known to the florida phosphate mining industry as phosphate overburden, are being destroyed for the beginnings of a phosphate strip mine. The purpose of this lesson is to read the book if you are a hunter of fossils. Seaber abstract osceola national forest is a nearly flat, poorly drained, 245 square mile area in columbia and baker counties, florida. About 1 billion tons of phosphate rock concentrate, containing an average of about 32 percent p20s, have been produced since the start of mining in 1888.