According to an article from Tunisia Online Gafsa Phosphates Company (CPG) is using solar power to dry phosphates. The company has been using solar power as part of its bid to incorporate alternative energy to reduce the money spent on conventional energy resources since 2007.
The company uses ancient techniques and modern technology to help it reduce costs. In 2008 the company saved the equivalent of 3,200 tons of petrol, and the recent acquisition of new equipment has enabled it to save 1.5 million dinars. CPG said that the project has also prevented the spilling an estimated 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
To date the company has dried 300,000 tons of phosphates ‘naturally’ at its Mdhila, Moulares, and Metlaoui treatment centers. In 2009 CPG hopes to increase this number to 700,000 tons.
The company also said that it has plans to use natural gas for to dry phosphates, and is currently in the middle of negotiations with the Tunisian gas and electricity company to replace the imported heavy fuel with natural gas dryers.
The project will be fully operational by 2011.