Jordan Phosphate Mines Co.PLC

JPMC's primary research and development unit was established in 1974 and is based at Al-Ruseifa. It's demonstrating strong commitment to research and development to achieve diversification, growth and improvement for the company's activities. The department, well equipped with laboratories and pilot plants provided with qualified, well trained and experienced staff, so it has achieved a capability to provide a technical support to production facilities in the filed of performance improvement, an increase of capacity and operation problem solving. In addition to providing technical services to local and foreign firms, beside a good cooperation with research center, universities and technical instates in Jordan and abroad. The mineral processing plant built in 1980 with a capacity of 1 mt per hour to treat and examine all types of phosphate ores using physical separation, calcinations and floatation techniques, and a phosphoric acid plant, built in 1987 to test the value of different types of phosphate rock to be used in the phosphoric acid process. In addition, there is a bench-scale pilot plant for uranium extraction and phosphoric acid purification. The department is also responsible for tests and studies relating to the feasibility of new mining areas. These include infrastructure studies, assessments of the available ores and their suitability, economic evaluation of the mining areas, studies of the environmental impact of the mine and research into the implementation of a new mining project. Jordanian corporate law requires, and JPMC's by-laws provide, that JPMC must set aside 1 per cent. of its profits each year (before income tax) to invest in research and development. JPMC is also involved in the research and development activities of the joint venture companies in which it has an interest. JPMC employs approximately 54 people in research and development activities. JPMC's research and development unit also provides advice and services to local industrial companies and co-operates with universities and scientific centres in Jordan. In particular, the unit uses local universities for assistance in research projects.