Jordanian Company Proposes Investment in Homs Phosphate Mines
The Syrian Ministry of Energy has announced that the Jordanian firm Arkan has submitted an investment proposal to develop phosphate mining operations in the Sowana region, located in the eastern countryside of Homs. The proposal aims to revitalize one of the country’s key mineral assets through the application of modern selective mining technologies, which are intended to increase the quality of the ore and maximize the overall economic value of the national resource.
According to details shared by the Ministry of Energy, the Jordanian proposal focuses on selective mining techniques. This method allows for the identification and extraction of high-grade phosphate layers while isolating lower-quality strata. The objective is to produce high-concentration phosphate that meets international standards, thereby enhancing the competitive position of Syrian-produced minerals in global markets. The proposal also includes a comprehensive marketing strategy designed to bolster the presence of Syrian phosphate abroad.
The project is currently in the planning stage, with the Ministry of Energy confirming that a detailed feasibility study and project draft are being prepared. Officials intend to use these documents as a roadmap to move into the actual execution phase in the coming period. The move represents a strategic effort to further develop Syria’s extractive industries, which are considered a fundamental pillar of the national economy.
Phosphate reserves in Syria are noted for their high quality and significant volume, making them a primary focus for state investment and industrial rehabilitation. The government has prioritized the restoration of these facilities to production over the past year. In November 2023, the Ministry of Energy officially brought the Sowana phosphate plant back online following extensive rehabilitation work. The facility had been inactive for a decade and is now operating with an annual production capacity of approximately 1.2 million tons.
This latest proposal follows other recent initiatives aimed at international collaboration within the Syrian mining sector. In December of last year, the General Establishment for Geology and Mineral Resources signed a cooperation agreement with Teryaq, a company associated with the Serbian-based ELIXIR GROUP. That agreement outlined plans for the extraction and export of 1.5 million tons of phosphate, with a target timeline set for the year 2026. The government continues to seek partnerships that leverage modern technical expertise to revitalize its industrial infrastructure, aiming to leverage natural resources to support economic recovery and international trade objectives. The current negotiations with the Jordanian company underscore a broader ongoing effort to integrate advanced mining standards into the domestic production cycle.
