Phosphorus is essential to all known life forms. The element phosphorus , however, is always combined with other elements and is generally found in mineral forms , as phosphates, and most often in insoluble forms. In 2001-2002, world production of phosphate rock concentrate and unbeneficiated phosphate rock for direct processing and direct application was estimated to 125 million tones. This paper provides data and information on the origins and types of phosphate rocks, the world total phosphate rock production and reserves, and an overview of and prospects for different uses of phosphate products.