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phosphate mining

A Bedouin village in the area of Sadeh Barir. (Gil Sofer)
August 20, 2025, 2:01 am
Divisive plan to mine phosphates in populated Negev area back on government agenda
Ministers to discuss PMO proposal to fast-track ICL company bid for new mine close to city of Arad that would require evacuating thousands of Bedouin
By Sue Surkes
Polluted water coming from the ICL Rotem (formerly Rotem Amfert Negev Ltd) phosphate mining complex, December 21, 2023. (Eastern Negev Unit for Environmental Quality)
December 22, 2023, 12:44 pm
Toxic liquids flow yet again from phosphate mining company in Negev
Initial inquiries into pea-green water indicate rainwater mixed with heaps of phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of the fertilizer-producing concern, ICL Rotem
By Sue Surkes
Rotem Amfert factories in the Negev. (Screenshot)
August 14, 2023, 6:09 am
Phosphate mining company ICL Rotem tops latest list of worst environmental offenders
But sister company, Rotem Zin, tops list for improving environmental performance since 2020, in index of 45 publicly traded and government firms
By Sue Surkes
Illustrative: Uranium ore. (RHJ; iStock by Getty Images)
May 4, 2023, 9:26 pm
Documents appear to show Iran’s interest in Syrian phosphates for uranium production
In leaked papers, Iran’s nuclear agency asks government to cover costs of project
By ToI Staff and Agencies
The Ashalim Stream, after it was polluted in June, 2017. (Georgi Norkin, Israel Nature and Parks Authority, File)
September 12, 2022, 8:47 pm
Scientists find way to recycle fertilizer industry’s phosphoric acid wastewater
Wastewater from Israeli phosphate mining company caused lasting environmental damage at Ashalim Stream, near Dead Sea, after evaporation pool wall collapsed in 2017
By Sue Surkes
A danger of drowning sign on the way to the Dead Sea Works from where the sea has long since receded, January 20, 2022. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
June 22, 2022, 10:52 pm
Israel has a chance to slow the Dead Sea’s demise. Will big business get in the way?
With regional politics holding back release of any more water from Sea of Galilee, green groups hope that a revamped mining concession will protect the lake’s future
By Sue Surkes
Phosphogypsum waste at Rotem Amfert in the Negev, southern Israel. (Environmental Protection Ministry)
December 22, 2021, 10:21 pm
Polluting company agrees to clean up in return for extension of Negev concession
Rotem Amfert and parent company the ICL Group guarantee to address decades of waste caused by phosphorus mining, rehabilitate soil and water
By Sue Surkes
The Dead Sea Works viewed from an overlook. (Shmuel Bar-Am)
April 27, 2021, 2:57 am
Green body petitions court over right to info on Israel’s natural resources
With so little money paid into sovereign wealth fund, Adam Teva V’Din seeks to fix transparency rules for details on natural resources owned by public, exploited by private sector
By Sue Surkes
Phosphorus-starved chickpea plant dusted with phosphorus (left) shows more growth than control. (Sudeep Tiwari, Yonatan Weizman, Volcani Agricultural Research Organization)
December 28, 2020, 11:44 pm
Eat my dust: Israeli scientist shows plants grab nutrients off dust in the wind
Researchers find some desert plants sprinkled with motes manage to absorb phosphorous on their leaves, and grow stronger; breakthrough could open door to reduced fertilizer usage
By Sue Surkes
One of phosphate plants. (Shay Levy/Flash90)
December 11, 2019, 1:43 pm
State recommends police probe Negev phosphate plant over pollution
Rotem Amfert, already responsible for Ashalim ecological disaster in 2017, to be investigated for flow of chemical sludge into open pits in February
By Sue Surkes
This photo released on the official Facebook page of the Syrian Presidency, shows Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, meeting with Iranian minister of economy and financial affairs, Ali Tayebnia, left, in Damascus, Syria, Monday, March 16, 2015. (Photo credit: AP)
January 17, 2017, 11:34 pm
Iran signs phone, gas deals with Syria
Tehran agrees to build mobile network, has the right to operate phosphate mines in war-torn country
By AFP
One of phosphate plants. (Shay Levy/Flash90)
From the WebMay 14, 2013, 10:33 am
China fertilizer demand boosts Israel Chemicals profit
Reuters: ICL posted a six percent rise in first quarter net profit, exceeding expectations on strong demand in China
Nighttime view of an offshore mining facility ( Photo credit: Shay Levy/ Flash90)
From the WebApril 10, 2013, 10:09 pm
ICL warns Israel phosphate reserves drying up
Reuters: Israel Chemicals’ new chief executive Stefan Borgas calls on the government to grant the company licenses to mine at a new site in the southern Negev desert
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