PRODUCTION OF POTASH FERTILIZERS FROM KAINITE

Ukraine has a great shortage of potash fertilizers which is partially covered by import. Within the territory of Ciscarpathians polymineral ores are found in a total quantity of 7,680.4 mln t. These deposits make a powerful raw material base for recovery of Ukrainian potash industry.
The Stebnyk State Mining and Chemical Plant "Polymineral" produces natural kainite containing as much as 9% of potassium in terms of K2O. To obtain high quality potash fertilizers the following methods of polymineral ores processing exist:
- physical methods of concentration ( gravity separation, , electrostatic beneficiation and others) with production of potash-magnesium concentrate and hallite;
- halurgic methods of concentration where potash-magnesium fertilizer (kalimagnesia), industrial salt and magnesium chloride ( a raw material for metallic magnesium production) are obtained;
- methods for underground leaching of the deposits followed by further processing of the brines into industrial salt and a chlorine -free potash fertilizer.
- methods for obtaining compound mineral fertilizers and organic mineral fertilizers with their introduction into polymineral ores as a source of potassium and microelements.
Kainite mining being low -cost (10 USD/1t) it is economically profitable to manufacture high quality potash and compound fertilizers. It should be noted that potash fertilizers market demand in Ukraine is 460 to 600 000 t of 100% K2O and potash fertilizers are in demand on the external market, too.
Development of potash fertilizers production at the Stebnyk SMChP " Polymineral" will make it possible to decrease the expenditure on environment protection measures as well as use of budget funds for necessary environment protection measures within the plant operation area.
Implementation of this investment project calls for 1mln USD capital investment on the investor's side and 1.0 mln. USD on the side of the Stebnyk SMChP " Polymineral". The project payback period will be 1 year.