Latest news with #JordanPhosphateMinesCompany
Jordan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Jordan Times
EMV mining workshop highlights Kingdom's drive to unlock mineral potential, attract investment
AMMAN — The Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) workshops continued Sunday at the Royal Hashemite Court with a dedicated session on Jordan's mining sector, underscoring its strategic role in boosting industrial growth, export diversification, and regional development. Bringing together policymakers, investors, and sector experts, the session assessed progress under the EMV's first phase while charting future directions to unlock the full potential of the Kingdom's mineral wealth. Officials and participants highlighted Jordan's rich reserves of phosphates, potash, bromine, copper, and rare earth elements, calling them a cornerstone of the country's industrial base. Jordan ranks seventh globally in phosphate reserves and remains one of the world's top producers of both potash and phosphate. These assets, they said, offer strong potential for attracting foreign direct investment, expanding downstream industries, and enhancing value-added exports in chemicals, fertilisers and metals. The mining sector currently contributes around 8 per cent of Jordan's GDP and accounts for more than 20 per cent of national exports. Companies such as Arab Potash Company (APC) and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) have played pivotal roles in positioning Jordan as a major regional exporter. Stakeholders noted that productivity in the sector remains high, with mining jobs ranking second in GDP contribution per employee after financial services. However, they stressed the need to improve geological surveying, update regulatory frameworks, and streamline licensing procedures to encourage sustainable expansion. The sector's goals under the EMV include boosting employment, especially in mining governorates, improving the investment climate, expanding industrial mining beyond phosphates and potash, and promoting environmentally responsible practices. Plans are also underway to establish an independent geological survey authority and improve data transparency to international standards. Among the key achievements in the first phase were the launch of an online platform showcasing investment opportunities in minerals such as basalt, silica, gypsum, kaolin, dolomite, and feldspar. Additionally, a new regulation was issued in 2020 to govern strategic resource projects, including oil shale, coal, and critical minerals. Participants also emphasised the importance of aligning mining policies with international environmental standards and integrating renewable energy to lower production costs and emissions, thereby strengthening the sector's international competitiveness. As Jordan advances into the next phase of the EMV, the mining sector is poised to become a key driver of industrialisation and sustainable economic development, leveraging both existing strengths and untapped mineral potential. CEO of the Arab Potash Company (APC) Maen Nsour, in an interview with The Jordan Times, reiterated the company's role as one of the 'locomotives of the Jordanian economy', outlining its alignment with the EMV through major investments in production expansion, sustainability and high-value exports. 'We have worked very hard during the past three years to achieve the objectives of the economic vision,' Nsour said, stressing the company's focus on attracting foreign direct investment combined with advanced technologies. A key example, he noted, is the expansion of the Jordan Bromine Company, a joint venture with the American company Albemarle, with a new $813 million investment. 'When we finish this expansion, Jordan will become the largest producer and exporter of bromine and tetrabromine,' he said, highlighting the strategic importance of these commodities across international industries. Nsour also highlighted a $1.1 billion expansion project aimed at increasing potash production by 750,000 tonnes annually. Upon completion, Jordan's total output would reach around 4 million tonnes per year. 'These quantities will be exported to markets in Europe, Brazil, China, India and across the Arab world, and also used in high-value-added industries such as fertilisers and chemicals,' he added. On sustainability, Nsour stressed the centrality of environmental responsibility to APC's strategy. 'We want to maintain an industry that is compatible with the environment and serves the best interests of future generations in Jordan,' he said. He also noted that meeting international sustainability standards, particularly the EU's carbon border adjustment requirements, is essential to maintaining and growing Jordan's presence in key export markets. 'You cannot do that unless sustainability and environmental aspects are very well taken into account,' he said. Jordan Bromine Company (JBC) General Manager Samer Asfour underlined the mining industry's role in job creation and value-added exports. He told The Jordan Times that the company currently employs around 640 Jordanians and is moving ahead with expansion plans expected to boost that number to over 1,000. 'We're definitely bringing foreign currency into the country, addressing unemployment challenges, and playing a major role in the national GDP and total exports,' he said. Asfour also stressed that innovation and technological advancement are central to the company's competitiveness in global markets. 'Our expansion projects are part of a continuous effort to enhance efficiency, increase revenues, and improve the sophistication of our products,' he noted, adding that this aligns closely with the EMV's goals for industrial innovation and export growth. He also pointed to the company's existing international partnerships as a model for sector development. 'JBC is already a successful joint venture between the Arab Potash Company and the largest bromine company in the world. Our ongoing investments reflect our commitment to the local economy and the broader objectives of the EMV.' Arab National Mining Company CEO Ayman Ayash highlighted the company's alignment with the EMV, noting that it was launched as a private sector initiative aimed at unlocking the full potential of Jordan's mineral resources 'The company came as an initiative from the private sector to implement His Majesty King Abdullah's vision for the mining sector,' Ayash. He explained that the firm was founded by prominent Jordanian and regional businessmen to reinforce the strategic partnership between the government and private sector in advancing the mining industry. Ayash stressed that real progress in the mining sector requires foundational reforms across five key areas. He called for the establishment of an independent geological survey authority, describing it as a necessary 'incubator' for the sector. 'This would serve as the backbone for reliable data and resource planning,' he said. Ayash also emphasised the importance of administratively separating the mining and energy sectors, stressing that they are fundamentally distinct industries. 'As long as we continue to operate under a unified Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, mining will remain a secondary priority and receive limited attention,' he said. The third priority, he said, is to overhaul existing laws and regulations to align with international best practices and make Jordan more competitive in attracting international investors. 'We must revamp the laws so they are at least equal to those in neighbouring countries,' he said. Ayash also emphasised the importance of establishing a comprehensive mining databank. "This would consolidate geological, geochemical and geophysical data, including borehole samples and historical exploration reports, to provide a solid foundation for future investment and exploration. He also underscored the need for comprehensive financial reforms, calling for the introduction of a more competitive fiscal system and a government-backed exploration enablement program. 'We need a tradable stock exchange platform dedicated to junior mining companies,' he added. 'These companies are the driving force behind international exploration efforts, and they must have reliable access to financing to carry out their work effectively.'
Jordan News
10-07-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Hassan Visits Aqaba: Lays Foundation Stones for Ammonia and Gas Projects, Inspects Port Operations - Jordan News
Hassan Visits Aqaba: Lays Foundation Stones for Ammonia and Gas Projects, Inspects Port Operations Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan conducted an inspection tour in Aqaba Governorate on Thursday, starting with the development project of the Durra border crossing. اضافة اعلان He directed that progress on the project be expedited, as part of a broader tour covering various sites, projects, and institutions in the governorate. The Prime Minister also reviewed operations at the newly developed Aqaba Port, which includes nine berths—two of which are dedicated to grain silos. The port's upgraded capacity now enables it to handle up to 6 million tons annually, contributing to a 9% increase in cargo handling compared to last year. Dr. Hassan praised the quality of services offered by the Emergency and Ambulance Center established by the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) at the industrial complex in southern Aqaba. The center provides comprehensive, 24/7 healthcare services free of charge to industrial workers and the local community. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a new double-walled ammonia storage tank, part of JPMC's efforts to modernize and upgrade its facilities. The tank will expand ammonia storage capacity to 55,000 tons, supporting future fertilizer production projects and meeting the highest safety and technical standards. He also laid the foundation stone for a project by the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company to construct two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks at its Aqaba facility. With a combined capacity of 2,000 metric tons and a total cost exceeding 15 million dinars, the project aims to enhance LPG storage and distribution infrastructure, reduce transportation costs, and strengthen energy supply security. Additionally, the Prime Minister inspected progress at the International Marine Reserve Center of Aqaba, a project launched under Royal directives as a global model for the protection of the Gulf of Aqaba's unique coral reefs. His tour concluded with a visit to Aqaba Container Terminal, one of the Kingdom's most successful public-private partnership projects. New investment agreements were signed last October to transform the terminal into a green port, with total investments reaching $242 million.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan's JPMC, Indonesia partner to establish phosphoric acid plant
AMMAN — Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) Mohammad Thneibat and Indonesian Minister of State Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir on Sunday agreed to establish a new joint plant to produce 200,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid annually. This would double the production capacity of the existing joint venture in Surabaya, Indonesia, to 400,000 tonnes. In a meeting, the two sides agreed to form a joint technical committee tasked with preparing the necessary studies for the implementation of the new project, to be presented to their respective boards of directors for approval within two months. Thneibat and Thohir discussed ways to enhance existing cooperation and expand joint investments, particularly in the fertiliser sector to meet the needs of the Indonesian market. They commended their partnership in manufacturing phosphoric acid from Jordanian phosphate ore through the PJA Company, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The two sides underlined the "deep-rooted" Jordanian-Indonesian relations, built on the foundations laid by the leaderships of the two countries, and their mutual commitment to further developing them, especially in joint investment fields. Thneibat stressed that enhancing cooperation and exchanging investment opportunities in the phosphate fertiliser sector would "significantly strengthen" the already "distinguished" relations between Jordan and Indonesia and reinforce their presence in the global phosphate market. He stressed that such collaboration would contribute to increasing the added value of Jordanian phosphate. Thneibat extended an invitation to the Indonesian minister to visit the Kingdom to learn more about the operations of the JPMC and to explore new joint investment opportunities, with production intended to meet the growing needs of the Indonesian market. Thohir expressed pride in the "strong and cooperative" relations between Indonesia and Jordan, highlighting the importance of building further on these ties, particularly in the phosphate fertiliser sector. He accepted the invitation to visit the company in September as part of efforts to exchange expertise and boost the "successful" partnership between the two countries. Indonesia is a major consumer of Jordanian phosphate, with more than 800,000 tonnes of raw phosphate supplied annually to joint factories, in addition to quantities benefiting other consumers. The JPMC's total exports to the Indonesian market in 2024 amounted to some 1.4 million tonnes, Petra reported. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
JPMC, Indonesia partner to establish phosphoric acid plant
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company Mohammad Thneibat and Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir on Sunday agree to establish a new joint plant to produce 200,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid annually (Petra photo) AMMAN — Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) Mohammad Thneibat and Indonesian Minister of State Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir on Sunday agreed to establish a new joint plant to produce 200,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid annually. This would double the production capacity of the existing joint venture in Surabaya, Indonesia, to 400,000 tonnes. In a meeting, the two sides agreed to form a joint technical committee tasked with preparing the necessary studies for the implementation of the new project, to be presented to their respective boards of directors for approval within two months. Thneibat and Thohir discussed ways to enhance existing cooperation and expand joint investments, particularly in the fertiliser sector to meet the needs of the Indonesian market. They commended their partnership in manufacturing phosphoric acid from Jordanian phosphate ore through the PJA Company, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The two sides underlined the "deep-rooted" Jordanian-Indonesian relations, built on the foundations laid by the leaderships of the two countries, and their mutual commitment to further developing them, especially in joint investment fields. Thneibat stressed that enhancing cooperation and exchanging investment opportunities in the phosphate fertiliser sector would "significantly strengthen" the already "distinguished" relations between Jordan and Indonesia and reinforce their presence in the global phosphate market. He stressed that such collaboration would contribute to increasing the added value of Jordanian phosphate. Thneibat extended an invitation to the Indonesian minister to visit the Kingdom to learn more about the operations of the JPMC and to explore new joint investment opportunities, with production intended to meet the growing needs of the Indonesian market. Thohir expressed pride in the "strong and cooperative" relations between Indonesia and Jordan, highlighting the importance of building further on these ties, particularly in the phosphate fertiliser sector. He accepted the invitation to visit the company in September as part of efforts to exchange expertise and boost the "successful" partnership between the two countries. Indonesia is a major consumer of Jordanian phosphate, with more than 800,000 tonnes of raw phosphate supplied annually to joint factories, in addition to quantities benefiting other consumers. The JPMC's total exports to the Indonesian market in 2024 amounted to some 1.4 million tonnes, Petra reported.
