OREANDA-NEWS. June 23, 2010. Belaruskali state-run potash producer plans to increase potash fertilizer production 38% by 2015 to 9.65 million owing to the launch of Krasnoslobodsky and Berezovsky mines, a representative in the administration of the producer told.

In the past 12 months, Belaruskali produced 584,000 tonnes of potassium using the completed facilities of the first development phase of Krasnoslobodsky mine. The first phase cost the producer USD 180 million of its own funds.

The second production phase is to be completed in 2011, and the third one, in 2013.

The construction of Berezovsky mine will cost 850 billion Belarusian rubles (Br). The mine will be launched in 2012.

Belaruskali plans to produce about 7 million tonnes of potash fertilizers in 2010, compared to an annual output of 8.2 million tonnes before the crisis.

This year, Belaruskali plans to invest 1.276 trillion rubles in upgrade and development.

Belaruskali is one of the largest potash makers in the world, employing about 20,000 personnel. Belaruskali accounts for 15.3% of the world potash production.