Following is a list of primary communities that emerged in the early days of land pebble phosphate mining in central florida, according to ray driver, a polk county. Why do we need it, and what effect does mining and processing it have on the surrounding environment. Mulberry is the selfproclaimed phosphate capital of the world and home to a major phosphate mining and processing company called mosaic. History of mulberry greater mulberry chamber of commerce. Special science library in bartow, florida, focusing on phosphate. This website and my forthcoming book floridas gray gold, has been written. The mining process in florida begins with a field study to determine the location and density of the phosphate deposits. Its the biggest phosphate company in the world and a major presence in florida.
With the coming of floridas railroads to haul it to ships in 1885, rock phosphate, the purest variety, was mined north and south of dunnellon on floridas rock phosphate ridge. Florida currently contains the largest known deposits of phosphate in the. The phosphate story watch the phosphate story for a nineminute view into mosaics phosphate mining, fertilizer production, reclamation and stewardship practices in florida. The bad news keeps coming about floridas phosphate stripmining industry. Phosphate discovery changed face of florida orlando. Central florida phosphate mining district bone valley, polk co. In florida, the phosphate rock is sent to processing plants in which it undergoes wet process to convert it into phosphoric acid. The florida industrial and phosphate research institute fipr institute tells us that up to 40 percent of the land that has been mined is being. Phosphogypsum or gypsum, a radioactive material, is a byproduct of this process. Just 15 years ago, the scrub jay had a small chance of survival. A brief history of floridas phosphate business by donald e. Florida phosphate pollution stirs alarm the new york times.
Phosphate and how florida was formed prehistoric florida. Mosaic is currently mining phosphate rock on more than 70,000 of the 380,000 acres it owns in manatee. Millions of years ago, the florida coast was believed to be sixty miles further inland. When reclamation doesnt work or when revegetation takes a long time, plant and animal communities can be lost or greatly reduced. Florida has been surface mined for phosphate for the last 120 years. Endangered species are relocated and measures are taken to protect wetlands and other preservation areas. Phosphate mining and its effect on the environment. Through exhibits, programming, and personalized service, the mulberry phosphate museum strives to reach audiences of all ages. Nine mines are 100 percent reclaimed and released from reclamation obligations. Hooks concedes that phosphate mining is dirty, but defends the planned expansion of phosphate strip mining in florida. Timeline of phosphate communities florida industrial and. Florida phosphate mining history florida industrial and.
In the first book ever written about the impact of phosphate mining on the south carolina plantation economy, shepherd mckinley explains how the convergence of the phosphate and fertilizer industries carried. The phosphate story watch the phosphate story for a nineminute view into mosaics phosphate mining, fertilizer production, reclamation and stewardship practices in. In the first book ever written about the impact of phosphate mining on the. In the first book ever written about the impact of phosphate mining on the south carolina. Phosphate florida department of environmental protection. Central florida phosphate mining district bone valley. Everyone within earshot of the news has heard of the sinkhole that opened up under a waste mound and settling pond area of one of mosaics mines in south florida. Nature, phosphate, and harry crewss naked in garden hills jstor. The phosphate industry is responsible for maintaining and monitoring reclamation projects for one to five years, depending on how the sites are used. Now, the scrub jay population has rebounded and thrives. In the process, sulfuric acid is added to the phosphate to create phosphoric acid which is easily absorbed by plants. This topdown, bottomup history business, labor, social, and economic analyzes an alternative path for all peoples in the postemancipation south. Today phosphate mining occurs primarily in the central florida area polk, hillsborough, manatee and hardee counties. Florida memory is funded under the provisions of the library services and technology act from the institute of museum and library services.
Floridas phosphate mining today accounts for about 80% of the phosphate used in the united states, as well as about 25% of the phosphate used around the world. We are the worlds only library focusing on all aspects of the phosphate story. After a mine site is permitted and reclamation plans are in place, the land is prepared for mining. Sometimes, the effects of phosphate mining arent detectable and that is the scariest risk. Stinking stones and rocks of gold university press of florida. Floridas phosphate fields and business a brief history. The florida that we know today and the phosphate buried in its earth is a relatively recent product of. Florida has a long history of phosphate mining, but there are environmental costs. In the cab of a large machine shoveling mined material into a pile to separate out phosphate from sand and clay. Mineralogy and alteration of the phosphate deposits of florida by s.
Very soon, the mining was done the hard way with picks, shovels, wheelbarrows, strong backs, and sweat. The bone valley is a region of central florida, encompassing portions of presentday hardee, hillsborough, manatee, and polk counties, in which phosphate is mined for use in the production of agricultural fertilizer. By the late 1930s only three companies were left mining in the hard rock district of florida around marion county and six were operating in the pebble district of central florida. Imc agricophosphate company collection, special collections department, tampa library, university of south florida, tampa, florida. The clock is ticking on floridas mountains of hazardous. The central florida phosphate mining region covers approximately 1. Florida mines florida mines the risk of phosphate mining. Phosphate, fertilizer, and industrialization in postbellum.
Mos, the worlds largest phosphate producer, the us has a strong history of phosphate refining and production. Phosphate mining also releases some of the naturally radioactive material found deep in floridas soils. This document is meant to provide an overview of phosphate mining and reclamation in florida to address the following questions. This website and my forthcoming book floridas gray gold, has been written to put these incredible images in the appropriate contexts. A railroad, originally built to transport the lumber and turpentine produced in the region, ran through the heart of bone valley. This was a really neat exploration i did in citrus county where some of the old phosphate mining took place back in the 1800s. Stinking stones and rocks of gold develops an overarching view of what can be considered one of many key factors in the birth of southern industry. Mcciellan3 abstract the neogene phosphorites of florida were deposited in a major phosphogenic province that extended from north carolina into. The state of florida, owns a wealth of historic photographs that show the birth of phosphate mining, its dramatic changes and the people who played a key role in its history. Government officials inspect reclamation projects to determine the lands potential for reuse. This little museum helps make clear how phosphate relates to your own life, and how important this mining is to you.
Information like the location, size, and shape of the ore is determined to focus the mining effort. Mosaics phosphate mines and fertilizer factories must store their waste this way. Removing this overburden, and mining the phosphate layer proved far less expensive than mining river pebble phosphate or the hard rock phosphate in north florida. As part of the florida phosphate mining process, we designated 850 acres of habitat and worked with experts to relocate the endangered species.
The bone valley is a region of central florida, encompassing portions of present day hardee, hillsborough, manatee, and polk counties, in which phosphate is mined for use in the production of agricultural fertilizer. And phosphate mining in florida, which is home to the worlds largest phosphate mine, is being challenged by environmentalists concerned about its impact on waterways and drinking water supplies. To place any artificial restricticns, he contends, places its in. Phosphate mining is one of the most important industries in florida, and vital to many other businesses, starting with growing our food.
Endurance was imperative in the early years when phosphate mining was done with wheelbarrows, picks and shovels. Yet the history of phosphate in florida has largely been a story of doing the. Floridas lsta program is administered by the department of states division of library and information services. Florida phosphate mining dates back to the first hard rock deposits found near hawthorne in alachua county in 1883. Television ads and billboards portray phosphate strip mining as a wholesome industry that creates jobs and feeds the world. Already, like other key commodities with oncedominant sources running low, the price of phosphate is starting to yoyo alarmingly. Mining operations while most of mosaics mining operations use dragline machines, some areas use specialized dredges like the one shown here. Bradfordunion county proposed phosphate mine project map. Lesson summary summary the mining industry has played a key role in. The mining of pebble phosphate began in 1888 in central florida and in the 1960s in hamilton county. The remaining mines are either not started or are shut down.
Phosphate mining is a major industry in florida, but its also a major source of pollution, responsible for red tide, toxic algal blooms and killing wildlife. Florida currently contains the largest known deposits of phosphate in the united states. Lesson g7 history of phosphate industry in florida by bill woolwine, winter haven high school i. Mosaic, the worlds largest phosphate company, made headlines around the world when a giant sinkhole opened up in august in a towering stack of acidic, radioactive phosphate mining waste. The phosphate mining industry employed 2,200 people. Florida phosphate mining dates back to deposits first found in alachua county, near hawthorne, in 1883. An overview of phosphate mining and reclamation in florida. Floridas phosphate industry practices also illustrates the industrys cavalier attitude concerning reclamation projects and is known to be poor environmental stewards of. The mulberry phosphate museums mission is to promote and interpret the local history of mulberry, florida from the prehistoric to the contemporary and to examine the impact of the phosphate industry on that history. Bone valley encompasses portions of presentday hardee, hillsborough, manatee, and polk counties. Phosphate mining today florida industrial and phosphate. Hes the author of four books, most recently, oh, florida. The collection includes approximately 8,500 books and reports, thousands of. Florida has 441 mining claims on public land listed in the diggings.
Phosphate industry practices disrespect the sovereignty of the public trust doctrine. Florida is starting to wake up to its massive phosphate mining problem. Phosphate mining has not only scarred the face of florida but created the perpetual threat of contaminated water being. History of phosphate in florida welcome the phosphate risk. Florida has phosphate deposits near the surface, and they have been stripmined as one of the three ingredients in commercial fertilizer. In the early years, phosphate ore was collected out of the river by hand. Its time to rein in floridas phosphate strip mining. This website and my forthcoming book florida s gray gold, has been written to put these incredible images in the appropriate contexts. This area contains several phosphate processing plants that assist in the production of agricultural fertilizer. Florida phosphate not only helps farmers grow food, but also works to protect native wildlife like the scrub jay. Mineralogy and alteration of the phosphate deposits of florida. Florida contains the most massive known deposits of phosphate in the united states.