Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of phosphorous material, such as apatite from phosphorous bearing materials, preferably those having a particle size less than 0.25 mm. The beneficiation treatment process comprises treating an aqueous phosphatic slurry with an alkaline EDTA complexing material. After contacting the aqueous mineral slurry with the complexing agent for a sufficient period of time, the divalent cation of apatite is complexed with the complexing material, which in turn releases the associated anionic species of apatite into solution for removal and recovery.