January 17, 2011
During assembly work being performed by a contractor in the extraction shaft of the Sigmundshall potash plant, parts of the shaft conveyor equipment were damaged during the New Year break. Nobody was injured. The relevant authorities were informed using K+S’s early warning system.
The process of repairing the damage has begun immediately. Complex and difficult investigations have shown that from today’s perspective there will be considerable limitations on production due to the ongoing repair work until early February. Due to the incident, the level of production is expected to decline by about 70,000 tonnes of potash and magnesium products for this period (equivalent to about one percent of the anticipated annual sales volume of the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment in 2011).
As far as possible, the lost production will be made up for by supplies from other sites. However, there will inevitably be delays in the delivery of ESTA Kieserit.
K+S is examining the extent to which recourse can be taken against the assembly company or its insurers for the damage that has arisen.
K+S will keep the public informed correspondingly about further developments in relation to this interruption of operations.
