LOME, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Togo is likely to open a second phosphate mining site in early 2011, with feasibility studies being underway, the independent Union publication reported on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, studies are also conducted on the development of a carbonated coat and setting up of a sulfuric acid plant at the beginning of 2010.

It made reference to the eight recommendations of the study by Deloitte on the report of the financial audit and accounts of the industry in 2008.

These recommendations are presented as a development plan before being validated by the new phosphate company for Togo (SNPT) and adopted as a strategic tool for the development of the phosphate sector.

The newspaper reported on the development program of the industry which aims to increase production gradually from 1.2 million tons to 1.3 million tons in 2010, 1.5 million tons to 1.8 million tons in 2011 and 2.3 million tons to 2.5 million tons in 2012.

The investment plan to this effect is valued at 85 million U. S. dollars.

The Deloitte study was commissioned, among other studies, to help come up with a business plan for 2009 to 2012 and proposed the bold steps for the development plan of 2009 to 2019.

The Togolese phosphate industry, cited to be among the best in the world, entered into a complete stagnation with a considerable drop to 800,000 tons from a high of 2 million tons in the previous years.

SNPT was created in 2007 to replace OTP/IFG company stuck in difficulties.