K+S partially resumes crude salt extraction at Unterbreizbach mine in Thuringia, Germany, following gas explosion on Oct. 1; production at Unterbreizbach factory expected to begin at the earliest by end of November

Allison Oesterle

KASSEL, Germany , November 11, 2013 (press release) – Unterbreizbach mine

After the mine disaster in the Unterbreizbach mine, crude salt extraction was partially resumed on 11 November. Production at the Unterbreizbach factory is not expected to start before the end of November.

After the large accumulations of carbon dioxide were successfully removed from the mine in the past few weeks, work commenced to restore ventilation control and the infrastructure. The conditions have therefore been created, initially in a partial area of the mine (1st level), for resuming crude salt extraction. On the 2nd level, clean-up operations and installation work are currently still taking place at defective facilities.

The crude salt extracted is being processed into fertilizer specialities under the combined structures of the Werra plant at the Wintershall site. From today’s perspective, production in the Unterbreizbach factory is not expected to commence before the end of November, as the facilities there are procedurally geared towards a larger volume and a crude salt mixture which must also contain recoverable components from the 2nd level for an optimal yield.
About K+S KALI GmbH

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

Industry Intelligence Editor’s Note: There was a gas explosion at the Unterbreizbach mine on Oct. 1, according to the Industry Intelligence archives.

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