OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2012. Solikamsk District Administration held Public Consultations on the Terms of Reference to develop guidelines on the assessment of the environmental impact of Uralkali's future Polovodovsky potash mine and plant complex.

Pavel Kuzmin, Deputy Project Manager at Polovodovsky potash complex, spoke about Uralkali's experience in protecting natural resources and mitigating the impact on the environment. In 2011, investment into conservation measures amounted to over RUB 1 billion. Uralkali also presented its Development Strategy to 2021, which forecasts KCl output to increase to 19 million tonnes per annum. One of the most significant components of the strategy is the construction of Polovodovsky potash complex.

Natalia Yakovleva, Chief Project Engineer at Polovodovsky potash complex, provided information on the Complex’s key technical parameters and potential environmental impact.

Elena Menshikova, PhD, Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, and leading researcher at the Institute of Natural Sciences at Perm University, reported on key findings of the background environment assessment survey and environment condition monitoring in the area affected by mining at the Polovodovsky part of the Verkhnekamskoye potassium and magnesium salts deposit.

The Public Consultations were recognised as completed. Given that no comments were made in regard to the Terms of Reference for the development of guidelines on the environmental impact assessment, Uralkali will proceed with the development of the guidelines in line with the Terms of Reference.

Igor Morev, Solikamsk Administration Deputy Head, commented:

- We are all aware of the importance of industrial development for the Polovodovsky area and Solikamsk district. The construction of the new mine and plant by Uralkali will give impetus to the development of the district. It will lead to an increase in tax revenues, creation of new jobs and infrastructure development, resulting in greater social stability and people feeling more confident about the future.