Rio de Janeiro-Vale S.A., which recently announced plans to buy major fertilizer assets from Bunge Ltd. and Yara International ASA in Brazil (GM Feb. 1, p. 1), has also reiterated that it plans to spend US$304 million to develop its Rio Colorado potash mine in 2010. Total expenses for phase one of the project are $4.12 billion. Initial nominal capacity would be 2.4 million mt/y of potash (KCI), with potential for future expansion to 4.35 million mt/y. Vale says start-up could be as early as second half 2013. Necessary infrastructure includes a railway spur of 350 km, port facilities, and a power plant. Vale already operates an 850,000 mt/y potash mine in Brazil, with additional reserves in Argentina and Canada, and will gain potash assets in its purchase of assets from Bunge (GM Feb. 1, p. 1). Vale expects its Bayovar phosphate rock 3.9 million mt/y project to come online in second half 2010. Expenditures on this project are expected to be $219 million in 2010.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain