Phosphate mining in Florida sustains supply chains, sets standards

Mining provides the raw materials that support a wide range of industries. Critical minerals and metals are used in areas such as commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. These materials form an essential part of the supply chain for many aspects of our modern economy. 

Phosphate plays a vital role in agricultural productivity and food security. It's a key component in fertilizers, livestock feed pharmaceuticals, and even detergents. Prioritizing domestic phosphate production strengthens our supply chains, supports local economies, and reduces dependence on foreign sources. 

Florida’s Bone Valley, spanning parts of Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk counties, contains extensive marine phosphate deposits formed over millions of years. The region is the largest known source of phosphate in the United States, accounting for more than 60% of U.S. production and about 25% of the global supply. 

The Bureau of Land Management, under the Mineral Leasing Act, is authorized to lease federal minerals such as phosphate for development and extraction. In keeping with this responsibility, the BLM recently issued a 40-acre fringe lease of subsurface phosphate in Hardee County, Florida, to Mosaic Fertilizer LLC, one of the nation’s leading phosphate producers. 

Following completion of an environmental analysis and coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the BLM determined that the lease would not result in significant impacts to the area’s scenic, cultural, or natural resources. The lease area, which is surrounded by 4,000 acres of privately held mineral estate already being mined by Mosaic, will allow for efficient and responsible expansion of ongoing operations. 

“BLM employees take tremendous pride in our role as stewards of America's federal mineral estate,” said Mitch Leverette, state director for BLM Eastern States. “We are pleased to see the positive impacts this project will have on the local economy, while ensuring a fair return for the American taxpayer.” 

This lease will generate approximately $540,000 in royalty payments throughout the mining period. Once collected, about 50% of these royalties will be returned to the State of Florida, where they may be used to support infrastructure, education, and other public services such as roads, bridges, and schools. The remaining portion is directed to the U.S. Treasury, where it contributes to various federal programs and initiatives to support reclamation, land and water conservation, and historic preservation.  

Beyond this new lease, the BLM’s partnership with Mosaic reflects a broader success story in responsible mineral development. Mosaic currently holds several federal phosphate leases in various stages of reclamation and restoration, covering more than 1,000 acres. These areas, some of which have been converted into settling ponds, improved pasture, or restored open space, demonstrate the company’s commitment to post-mining land use. 

Because the surface estate is privately owned, Mosaic’s restoration activities are guided by the terms outlined in their lease agreements and the regulatory authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. With cooperative collaboration between BLM and the State of Florida, the Mosaic will meet or exceed reclamation expectations. 

“As it pertains to mineral development, the BLM’s role is to review applications on a case-by-case basis,” said Christopher Hite, branch chief, Eastern States State Office Energy & Mineral Operations. “Leases are only granted after extensive review processes confirm both the viability of the mineral resource and the suitability of the land for safe, responsible development.” 

The approval of this 40-acre fringe lease exemplifies how effective partnerships strengthen domestic supply chains and serve national interests of the American people. 

For more information on solid minerals such as phosphate, sodium, potassium, sulphur, and gilsonite on public and other Federal lands, visit BLM's Non-Energy Leasable Materials page.