At Itafos Conda, we don’t just mine for phosphate—we power agriculture across North America by producing vital fertilizers. Our commitment to safe, modern mining practices ensures we protect Idaho’s unique landscape while supporting the local economy.
Dive into our FAQs to learn about our role in feeding the world, safeguarding the environment, and being a proud member of the Soda Springs community.
Phosphate is a vital nutrient used in fertilizers that supports global food production. It ensures healthy crop growth, helping to feed the growing population and maintain sustainable agriculture practices.
HFSA is a byproduct of phosphate ore processing. It is used in water fluoridation to help prevent tooth decay. It is also utilized in industrial applications, such as chemical manufacturing and metal processing.
Itafos Conda is located in Soda Springs, Idaho, in Caribou County. Its parent company, Itafos, is headquartered in Texas.
Phosphate mining is a century-long tradition in Caribou County. Conda has proudly operated continuously in the phosphate patch for nearly four decades.
A phosphate patch is a region with significant deposits of phosphate rock, which is mined and processed to produce fertilizers and other products. Caribou County hosts one of the world’s few significant phosphate patches.
Southeast Idaho’s phosphate patches are among the richest in the United States, providing a reliable domestic phosphate supply for fertilizer production. This region supports both the local economy and North American agriculture.
In North America, phosphate can only be found in Idaho, Utah, Florida, and North Carolina. The top five locations worldwide are China, Morocco, the United States, Russia, and Jordan.
Itafos Conda LLC, commonly referred to as Conda, is an Idaho company. Itafos is the parent company with another operational business, Itafos Arraias, in Brazil. Itafos also manages mining projects in other parts of the world.
Conda has a couple of mines and mining projects in Idaho. The Rassmussen Valley Mine has been in full operation since 2017. The Husky1/North Dry Ridge (H1/NDR) Mine is Conda’s most recent project to be permitted; it is currently under construction. Conda is currently working on plans for other mine projects in the Caribou County area.
No. Itafos Conda mines for phosphate ore and then processes it into phosphate fertilizer, which is then shipped to farmers across North America.
Currently, two.
The Rasmussen Valley Mine is in production, and the Husky 1/North Dry Ridge (H1/NDR) Mine recently completed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and is under construction. Both mines are open pit operations.
Conda has multiple mines at different stages.
Rasmussen Valley is nearing the end of its operating life, so the team is focusing on closure and reclamation.
H1/NDR received its Record of Decision in April 2023, approving its Mine Plan of Operations, and is now in its construction phase. The company’s goal is to begin shipping phosphate ore from H1/NDR in 2025.
Opening a mine typically takes between seven to 13 years. Mining is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the nation due to extensive permitting, environmental reviews, and stakeholder engagement required to ensure compliance with the law and best practices.
Because of Itafos Conda’s commitment to responsible mining, permitting mines like H1/NDR has become more complex over the past few decades. The rigorous process ensures all involved are held to the highest standard of excellence and demands a continuous commitment to fulfill environmental stewardship responsibilities.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of major projects. This process involves public input and environmental assessments, which can influence project timelines and decisions.
Both of Conda's mines have successfully completed the NEPA process.
Itafos Conda supports Idaho businesses by sourcing contractors, materials, services, and supplies from many area providers.
Annual Economic Impact:
Want to learn even more about mining? Check out our Mining 101 below.
Mining provides the raw materials essential for infrastructure, technology, and energy production. It also supports agriculture and contributes significantly to economic development and job creation.
If it is not grown, it has to be mined.
Domestic minerals reduce reliance on imports, enhance national security, and support the economy by providing materials essential for agriculture, technology, and infrastructure.
A critical mineral is a resource essential for the economy and national security but vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
While phosphate is not formally listed as a critical mineral, its role in agriculture makes it indispensable for food security.
A mine project involves the planning, permitting, and construction required to prepare a site for mining.
A mine, by contrast, is an operational site where minerals are actively extracted.
Reclamation involves returning mined land to a stable, usable condition, which may include reshaping the land, planting vegetation, and mitigating environmental impacts.
Restoration focuses on bringing the land back to its natural state, emphasizing ecological recovery and biodiversity. While most of the excavations from Itafos Conda project are required to be filled, a relatively small rock face will remain to allow cliff-dwelling birds that live in the area to use the rock face as a habitat.
Bonding ensures mining companies allocate funds for reclamation before starting operations. These funds guarantee environmental restoration after the mine’s closure.
Mining can be hazardous, involving heavy machinery and potential exposure to harmful materials. However, modern safety protocols and regulations significantly reduce risks.
Modern practices include:
MSHA enforces safety and health standards in mining, conducting inspections, providing training, and investigating incidents to prevent injuries and fatalities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures workplace safety across industries, including in mining. OSHA including regulations for hazard communication, protective equipment, and fall prevention.
The Good Samaritan Act provides liability protections for entities that voluntarily clean up abandoned mines, encouraging environmental restoration in previously mined areas.
The Mining Schools Act of 2023 is bipartisan congressional legislation that supports education and research in mining, funding programs to advance sustainable practices and train the future workforce.
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