K+S Group, Kassel, Germany, said Nov. 29 that it has decided to terminate potash production at the Sigmundshall site (Wunstorf-Bokeloh, Hanover Region) at the end of 2018. The news was expected as the company indicated a few weeks ago that it would likely close the mine at the end of 2018 or 2019.
The company says reserves that can be commercially mined are coming to an end. In addition, mining conditions for extracting the raw materials at a depth of more than 1,400 meters are reaching human and technological limits. In talks with workforce representatives and the trade union, new prospects and solutions are being discussed for the approximately 730 employees of the site.
The company reported that some 600,000 mt/y of product was mined from the site, including both specialty products and muriate of potash.