Memorandum Signed in Damascus
The Syrian Mining Company signed a memorandum of understanding with a French consulting firm on 31 August 2026 to cooperate in operating and investing in the phosphate washing plant in Homs. The Energy Ministry said the agreement is part of a wider push to strengthen investment in the phosphate sector and develop national mining projects.
A Plant Built for Export
The phosphate washing plant has an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tons. Officials described it as a pivotal facility in the phosphate industry because it improves the quality of raw ore, raises its economic value, and increases locally added value before the material reaches market.
Refining the ore domestically is intended to lift the competitiveness of the finished product and secure better technical specifications, rather than exporting lower-grade material.
Studying the Investment
Under the memorandum, the two sides will study the technical, economic, and investment aspects of running the plant, rehabilitating it, and expanding its output. The stated aim is to draw on modern expertise and technology in washing and processing phosphate so the finished product meets higher specifications and competes more effectively.
An Initial Step
The Syrian Mining Company called the memorandum an early move toward building an active investment partnership with the French side. It said the deal opens the door to broader cooperation across mining projects, in line with its strategy for developing the country's mineral resources on modern economic and technical foundations.
Phosphate Output Restored
The agreement follows the reopening of a phosphate plant in the Eastern Mines on 25 November 2025, when the facility returned to production for the first time in a decade after rehabilitation, with a capacity of 1.2 million tons a year.
The company said it would keep developing partnerships with specialized firms and drawing on global expertise to support the national economy and reinforce the mining sector's standing in Syria.