Belarus’ Nezhinsky potash mining and processing project at the Starobinsky potassium salt deposit in eastern Belarus is almost 40% complete, according to a Belarus24 report on May 4.
According to the report, the state authorities are targeting the new potash operation to be launched on June 1, 2025. However, there is scepticism among industry watchers and analysts that this can be achieved, given that sanctions will likely continue to restrict equipment procurement activities, among other issues.
But, according to the report, some of the equipment for the project already has been purchased, but “one of the foremost tasks is to secure technologies.”
In December last year, reports were filtering out of Belarus that the former Russian-backed project had come under new management. It was reported that Belarusian government representatives had joined the management of a new company understood to be the successor to Slavkaliy Co., the Russian-backed company that was developing the project (GM Dec. 16, 2022).
Nezhinsky GOK produced its first ton of rock salt in April 2020, and at the time, construction and commissioning of the processing plant were targeted for fourth-quarter 2023, when exports of potassium chloride also were targeted to begin (GM April 24, 2020).
Some 2 million mt/y of potassium chloride capacity was originally planned at Nezhinsky, with plans for the production of both white and pink potash, as well as of granular grades. But the latest reports suggest a production capacity of 1.1 million mt/y of potassium chloride capacity is now being targeted, at least initially.
Nezhinsky GOK, when operational, would be Belarus’ second producer of potash, which is currently only produced by OJSC Belaruskali.