OT
Potash and phosphates: Cooling-off period
Publishing Date 16 Nov 2012
Laos: a new potash source
Exploration and development of the potash resources in Laos have progressed well, and total production of up to 5Mt/y potassium chloride from a handful of new projects could be reached over the next few years, a level that will put this small, developing nation firmly on the map as a significant potash producer.
At present there are five approved mining licences and nine exploration licences spanning two main potash basins.
So far, small volumes have emerged in export markets from trial operations in Laos but larger-scale projects are now under development. The key reason that Laos potash mines have been quicker – and cheaper – to develop has been that the Laos deposits are relatively shallow compared to most other potash deposits.
Although in terms of ore quality it does not compare with the major deposits in Canada and Russia, it is sufficient to produce a commercially acceptable product.
There are two Chinese-backed projects in the Vientiane basin. Sino-Lao Potash Mining Co Ltd put into operation a 50,000t/y potassium chloride trial plant at the end of 2010.
It is understood that the company is focused on extracting ore thorough a vertical shaft. With the construction of a processing plant on the surface area complete, the company expected that the connection between underground mining with processing plant on the surface would be accomplished by October 2012.
Sinohydro Mining Co (Lao) Ltd has a project for a 120,000t/y MOP operation with a 30-year life, using solution mining techniques. Sinohydro had hoped to begin potash production before the end of 2012, but it now appears that there may not be any output until into 2013.
In the Kammouane basin there are three projects, two of which are Chinese-owned.
Jiaxi Lao Potash Development Co Ltd had the first mine to start up in Laos, in March 2010, a demonstration plant of 100,000t/y although full capacity is not expected to be reached until 2013.
There are plans to increase capacity by at least another 1Mt/y. Meanwhile, Lao Kaiyuan Mining Co Ltd is looking to build a 500,000t/y operation.
Vietnamese state chemicals group Vinachem is also looking to develop a mine in Laos, with an initial target of 320,000t/y capacity and a lifespan of about 20 years, and is reportedly using German specialists to investigate solution mining.
www.mining-journal.com/reports/...Q_DESIGN_NAME=print_friendly
SINOHYDRO RESOURCES LTD
Vientiane Potash Processing Factory in Lao PDR
sr.sinohydro.com/english/tabid/389/language/zh-CN/Default.aspx
According to the Wall Street Journal in December 2012, Laotian officials are indicating that the Chinese have agreed to help finance a US$7bn railway from Vientiane to the Chinese border.
UBS Investment Research K+S