Wuxi Changchen Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.wxchangchen.com
In recent years, the National Development and Reform Commission conducted a comprehensive study on Yichang's phosphorus chemical industry and concluded that it has gradually transitioned toward a path of large-scale, integrated, and scientific development. This transformation is the result of Yichang City's persistent efforts in phosphate resource rectification and its commitment to innovation.
Before 2004, the phosphate mining sector in Yichang was plagued by illegal exploitation, unregulated mining, and a pattern of "mining and abandoning," which led to severe resource waste and hindered sustainable growth. In response, Yichang launched a series of reform initiatives starting in 2004. The city developed multiple strategies, including the comprehensive utilization of phosphate ore, the establishment of phosphating industrial parks, and the implementation of the "one mine, one well" mining model. These plans aimed to reshape the way phosphate resources were mined and used, promoting full-scale extraction and processing of low-grade ores.
The city also introduced a quasi-delivery order system to regulate the total amount of mining and ensure coordination between production and sales. This allowed mining companies to directly supply phosphate to chemical enterprises, improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Through these reorganization efforts, the number of phosphate rock mining sites dropped from 114 to 69, and 28 mining companies in the national planning area were shut down. Last year, the city extracted 6.5 million tons of phosphate ore, and three key phosphate-producing counties collected a sales tax of 427 million yuan, a 3.27-fold increase compared to pre-2004 levels.
In addition to regulatory reforms, Yichang has actively promoted independent technological innovation. Several major technical challenges have been addressed locally. Recently, the world’s first 30,000-ton kiln-based phosphoric acid plant, developed by Hubei Sanxin Phosphoric Acid Co., Ltd., passed expert evaluation in Yichang. This breakthrough solved the long-standing issue of low-grade phosphate rock utilization, enabling phosphoric acid production without generating waste slag, exhaust gas, or wastewater.
Hubei Yihua Group invested 1.2 billion yuan to build a 1-million-ton-per-year diammonium phosphate project, which successfully addressed the problem of using low-grade phosphate rock for diammonium phosphate production. These achievements highlight Yichang's progress in transforming its phosphorus industry into a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable model.