definition
strict definition
phosphate mine
A site where naturally occurring phosphate minerals are extracted from the earth.
A phosphate mine is a site for the extraction of natural phosphate minerals from the earth. These include various rock ores containing phosphate ions. Phosphates are generally used in the production of fertilizers and in various industrial applications.
The phosphate-bearing minerals are extracted as raw material. The definition can include different phosphate ores rather than a single named mineral.
Fertilizer production is a common later use of the extracted material. A fertilizer plant that does not extract a natural phosphate deposit is not a phosphate mine.