Giant_and_Dwarf-FIN

Giant and DwarfPhosphate deposits throughout the world are even distributed less evenly than oilreserves. About two-thirds of phosphate is mined in only three countries: China, the U.S.and Morocco (including Western Sahara occupied by Morocco). The table below providesdetailed information. They show that while some countries of the MENA region are amongthe major producers of phosphate (which gives it another globally important commodity inaddition to crude oil and natural gas), significant phosphate mining in sub-Saharan Africais limited to South Africa, Togo and Senegal.CountryProduction in thousand of ton annuallyChina 65,000USA 26,100Morocco and Western Sahara 26,000Russia 10,000Tunisia 7,600Jordan 6,000Brazil 5,500Egypt 5,000Israel 3,000Australia 2,800Syria 2,800South Africa 2,300Algeria 2,000Togo 800Canada 700Senegal 650Rest of the world 9,500Source: http://www.mapsofworld.com/minerals/world-rock-phosphate-producers.htmlGlobal warming and climate change, peak oil, the aquifers in India, China and the U.S.which are drying up, and the global water crisis, rising prices and escalating food shortages,a peak in phosphate production are some of the key global trends that will fundamentallyaffect the lives of people in the 21 st century. Not only in Africa, but the lives of all humanity,including economies, society, democracy and the standard of living in the rich countriesof moderate climate zones. The problems Africa is facing today will however deepen evenmore and therefore the need to search for immediate solutions becomes even more urgent.If the famous sword of Damocles is hanging over whole of mankind, there are severalsuch swords simultaneously hanging over Africa.104