Potash extraction, production at K+S' Unterbreizbach, Germany, mine at standstill following gas eruption on Oct. 1; comprehensive assessment of situation will take place after mine is ventilated

Mathew Kearney

October 10, 2013 (press release) – From today’s perspective, the exceptionally strong gas eruption at the Unterbreizbach mine on 1 October no longer permits the resumption of crude salt extraction before the beginning of November. The underground works are currently focused on ventilating the mine, in order to dispel the carbon dioxide still present there. Only once that has been performed will a comprehensive assessment of the situation in the mine and a decision on how to proceed further be possible.

Because at present all the production is at a standstill at the site, it is not possible to find work for most of the employees for the time being. Vacation entitlements and existing time credit are therefore initially being used up.

Short-time work is to be announced for a further period of time involving a standstill in production. Talks on this are currently being held with the works council to develop an appropriate works agreement.

K+S KALI GmbH’s supply capacity is not affected by the interruption in production. Existing orders are being processed by the K+S sister plants.

About K+S KALI GmbH

In six mines in Germany, K+S KALI GmbH mines crude salts containing potash, magnesium and sulphur and produces a wide range of high-quality products from them for the agricultural, industrial, healthcare and nutrition sectors. Of the approximately 8,000 people employed by the company, more than 1,000 are based at the Unterbreizbach and Merkers sites in Thuringia. More information about K+S KALI GmbH can be found on the Company’s website at www.kali-gmbh.com.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.