Tunisia exports some 7 million tonnes per annum of phosphates from the Gafsa region. The principal mines are at Mt. Mdilla, Redeyef, Metlaoui, and Phillipe Thomas. Phosphate, phosphoric acid and fertilizer make up 8% of exports.
The phosphate industry is developing slowly with plans to produce superphosphates and sulphuric acid in the future. Other mineral reserves include lead and zinc at Laghouat and Mt. Hallof, and iron at Jerrissa.