The carbonate-rich phosphate rocks have no direct use and are rejected all over the world. Substantial amounts of low-grade phosphorites are found along with high grade ore in some areas of Hazara (Pakistan). In the technique described dilute acetic acid solution has been used for leaching of the carbonates contained in Hazara low-grade, carbonate-rich phosphate rocks. In this work, the effect of acetic acid concentration, reaction time and liquid/solid ratio (vol/wt. basis) have been studied. It was found that upon treatment of the ground ore with acetic acid, the tricalcium phosphate (TCP) percent can be raised by up to 23% corresponding to a reduction of up to 62% in the calcium carbonate content of the samples, depending on the conditions of the reaction as well as the nature and size of the raw phosphate particles used for analysis.