Construction begins on potash plant at Satimola deposit in West Kazakhstan
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Construction has begun on a potash ore processing plant at the Satimola deposit in West Kazakhstan region. The project is valued at 1.5 trillion tenge and is expected to place Kazakhstan among the world's top 10 potash fertilizer producers once operational.
Key Facts
- The Satimola deposit holds an estimated 3 billion tonnes of potash reserves, explored in the 1960s.
- The project is valued at 1.5 trillion tenge and is financed in part by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, which approved $450 million for the initial phase.
- The plant is planned to reach a capacity of 12 million tonnes per year by 2034, up from an initial 1.5 million tonnes.
- Around 140 people are currently working on construction, including specialists from Germany, Russia, and several regions of Kazakhstan.
- The project is expected to create about 5,000 jobs and is scheduled for completion in two years.
Project Scale and Financing
The Satimola deposit is located in Akzhaik district, about 400 km from Uralsk. The total project cost is 1.5 trillion tenge, with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan providing $450 million for the initial stage. The plant's capacity is planned to increase from 1.5 million tonnes to 12 million tonnes per year by 2034. The project is implemented in four stages and is expected to create about 5,000 jobs.
Construction and Workforce
Construction is being carried out by a subsidiary of two German companies using German technology. Two mine shafts are being prepared, with a vertical shaft depth of 650–700 metres. Around 140 people are currently employed at the site, including specialists from Germany, Russia, and Kazakhstan's Karaganda, Atyrau, Aktobe, Almaty, and Turkestan regions. Local residents have also been hired for construction work. Special equipment has been brought from Germany and China, including a crane capable of lifting 200 tonnes.
Geological Challenges
The deposit's geology is complex, with water inflows encountered at depths as shallow as four metres. One of the shafts under construction was flooded, but engineering solutions were found and work continues. The deposit was explored in the 1960s, with reserves estimated at about 3 billion tonnes of potash.
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Construction begins on potash plant at Satimola deposit in West Kazakhstan
