Phosphate

White Springs

15843 SE 78^th Street, P.O. Box 300, White Springs, FL 32096 | (386) 397-8101
Keith Thornton, General Manager | E-mail Keith

Operations

White Springs mines phosphate ore and refines it into phosphate rock. It has a capacity of 4.0 million tons of phosphate rock, 1.1 million tons of phosphoric acid and 410,000 tons of phosphate feed. The chemical operations produce 10 products.

Significant Events

White Springs achieved an Injury Incident Rate (IIR) of 0.97 in 2007, the second lowest ever. There were only 10 recordable injuries and no lost-time injuries.

Community Relations

While it is declining, there is still a negative perception of the impact of phosphate mining on the local environment. White Springs is addressing this issue through positive community outreach and education about mining. In 2007, the site conducted 38 site tours with local interest groups, customers and students, which assisted in educating local groups about the mining process and environmental stewardship.

Community Contributions

White Springs contributed $19,288 to community social initiatives in the local tri-county area. Much of this went to the United Way of Suwannee Valley campaign. Other donations went to local community activities, educational support activities, recreation initiatives and other charitable organizations.

In-kind contributions to the community totaled $86,565. Beneficiaries included Bugaboo Fire Support Team, Comprehensive Community Services, Florida Sheriff's Boys Ranch, Columbia High School Challenge Academy and South Hamilton Elementary School.

White Springs in partnership with local education foundations provided four $1,000 scholarships for local students within the tri-county area. Two scholarships were for Lake City Community College, and two for North Florida Community College.

Awards

White Springs was selected as the Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year" for 2007.

The site's Wild Land Fire Team received several plaques for its participation in controlling the Bugaboo fire.

White Springs received a plaque from South Hamilton Elementary (its adopted school) for support as a key business partner.

White Springs was selected as the 2007 Soil Steward of the Year by the Southeast Agricultural Coalition. This award reflects the site's commitment to quality reclamation and best management practices in reclamation and land use.

Environmental Initiatives

2007 was the second full year of a significant drought in the area. All parts of the operation were affected, requiring water conservation and careful management.

In May 2007, a sinkhole was discovered at the toe of the CTC phosphogypsum stack. Outside contractors and consultants have completed the detailed subsurface assessment and developed a remediation plan. There has been no detected contamination resulting from the sinkhole, but remediation will be completed in 2008.

Local Procurement

The total cost of all goods, materials and services purchased locally in 2007 (excluding raw materials, transportation and energy) was $63.5 million, which represented 56 percent of total procurement.