Date: June 10, 2020
Location: Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)
Address: 21 John Ross Hwy, 3900
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Sulphur Dust
Industry: Phosphate Production
Equipment: Conveyor System
Company: Foskor
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Millions of Rands
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Foskor is a South African producer of phosphates and phosphoric acid. The operations in its Mining Division process phosphate rock concentrate, while the Acid Division Plant manufactures sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and phosphate-based granular fertilizers (MAP and DAP) by using phosphate rock as a raw material. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Midrand, South Africa.
Incident Description:
On June 10, 2020, the Zululand Observer reported a fire at a phosphate production plant in Richards Bay, South Africa.
The fire reportedly began on the sulphur conveyor at around 1:30 p.m. and soon spread from the transfer station to the phosphate rock conveyor line. Thick black smoke covered the harbor area for hours, affecting port and shipping staff.
The City of uMhlathuze fire department, assisted by the plant’s own fire fighting services, managed to halt its progress, but a large section of the conveyor system was destroyed before the fire was put out at around 3:00 p.m.
No injuries were reported, but the damage was estimated to be millions of rands. Repairs are expected to take months.
Sources:
Zululand Observer
