Continuous mine complexes of Belaruskaliy

Mechanized roof supports in Belaruskaliy

In the faces with the thin seams (layer extraction) we use the hydromechanized roof supports of the following types: Hemscheidt 2400-7/14, Hemscheidt 2400M, FAZOS-08/13-POz, FAZOS -09/15-POz, FAZOS -09/15,5-Oz.
  In the faces with the mean seams (complete and selective mining) the following types of the hydromechanized roof supports are used: BS2.1P, BS2.1PM, STS15/23L, STS16/24L, FAZOS -12/28-Oz, FAZOS -13/20-POz, FAZOS -16/24-POz.

Longwall shearers of Belaruskaliy

Longwall shearers   During compete mining we use double ended ranging drum shearers of the type "Electra700Sol", SL300, EDW300/760L, KGS800S/2BP, KGS 570S/2B/Sol and KS3M.   During selective mining we use the shearers SL500S (together with the shearers for the end operations in the roadways ESA150L or KGU310/Sol), "Electra700Sel".   During the layer mining the following shearer types are used: EW200/230LN, SL300NE, "Electra340Sol".

Dressing's methods in Belaruskaliy

  Method of floatation.
Sylvinite dressing by means of floatation method is running in saturated salt solutions. This method is based on a selective water-repellency treatment of the surface of potash minerals by the collector agents. This establish conditions under which the particles of the mineral get fixed to the air bubbles so that it is possible to extract them as a foaming product. Floatation method of dressing also includes operations for preparation of mineral grain size (grinding and classification) and separation of the clay and carbonate slimes (slime removal). The final concentrate with the KCl content of 95,3-96,2% will be dehydrated and dried. Tailings of the floatation with the KCl content of 2,5-3,0% after dehydration will be transported to the waste storage. Slime product after thickening and liquor clarification will be transported to the slime storage. Extraction of the disposable component while using floatation method of processing makes out 84-85%.

   Hot-leaching method.
This method of dressing of the raw material, which contains potash, is based on dissolving the potassium chloride from the ore by the hot solution at the temperature of 120°C followed by the separate crystallization of the salt components of the processed ore.
 Technology of the hot-leaching method consists of crushing the sylvinite ore, dissolving the sylvinite by the hot liquor in dissolving tanks with screw mixers and bucket elevators, cooling (in order to achieve crystallization of the potassium chloride from the clarified saturated solution) and thickening in settling basins. After that the thickened suspension will be sent to the centrifuges. Drying of the filtrated potassium chloride is made on the drying drums and fluidized bed furnaces.Potassium chloride content in the concentrate makes out 95-98% and in halite waste 2,5-3,0%, extraction makes out 86,5-87,5%.

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Technologies of mining in Belaruskaliy

Starobin deposit of the potash salts is one of the world's biggest deposits (about 350 sq. km). It is located in the southern part of Minsk Region. According to its structure the deposit represents a flat sheet deposit (pitch angle is 1-30°), consisting of four potash levels - from number one to number four (from top downward). The distance between the potash levels makes out from 50-60 meters (between number one and number two) to 150-200 meters (between number two and three, as well as between numbers three and four).
  The seams in the levels II and III (seams number two and three) are being mined. The potash seam in the level number I at mine No. 1 was started to mined since 2004. The potash level number four is considered to be a perspective one for the further developing. Besides this, over the boundaries of the mine fields of the existing mines significant reserves of potash salts are explored which are planned for mining by PA "Belaruskali" in perspective (Krasnoslobodski and Nezhinski areas of the deposit).

Chamber mining
 By means of chamber system the mining of the deposit was started which prevents the dangerous deformations of the underworked rock mass and in consequence eliminates the penetration of underground water into the goaf.We use the following types of chamber mining in our deposit:
- Mining with establishing the yielding pillars
- Mining with establishing the support pillar
- Mining with regular establishing the yielding and support pillars.

Pillar mining
 Pillar mining of the 2nd and 3rd potash seams by means of longwall mining (face mining) with roof caving is used since 1969.
We use the following types of longwall mining:
- Complete mining of the 2nd stratum and seams II, II-III and seam III of the 3rd stratum without seam separation.
- Selective mining of the seams II, II-III and seam III of the 3rd stratum without seam separation.
- Layer extraction of the 2nd seam.
- Layer extraction of the 3rd seam.

Combined system of mining

  There are three productive sylvinite layers (II, III and IV) in the potash level III, divided by the seams of halite. Using the combined system of mining the upper IV sylvinite layer is mined by means of pillar system and the subjacent layers II and III are mined by means of chamber mining. This system is used rather seldom due to a big loss of the mineral from the layers II and III.


Driving the development workings

  Driving the development workings in our deposit is made by means of continuous miner complexes that consist of a continuous miner, a conveyor hopper and a shuttle car. The workings have the width of 3.0, 4.0, 4.05, 4.5 m (depending on the type of the continuous miner used). The height is 2.4, 2.6, 3.0 m. If necessary the floor of the working con be undercut.

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Potassium and health of Belaruskaliy

  Potassium content in human body makes about 2000 mg/kg. Functions of potassium in human body:

- Regulation of water balance and acid-alkali balance;

- Equation of the blood pressure and normalization of the myocardium rhythm;

- Maintenance of neuromuscular cells activity;

- Regulation of ferments activity, which are connected with the transformation of carbohydrates and proteins.

  Obligatory daily dose of potassium is 2-4 gr. Main sources of potassium for people are vegetables.

  Main vegetable cultures have carbohydrate type of metabolism, that's why they consume more potassium than other elements.

  Potassium fertilizers increase the content of dry substances, sugar and vitamin "C" in cabbage heads, carotene in carrots as well and especially potassium chloride they reduce the nitrates content in vegetable products. Supplemental potassium application in July-August reduces the concentration of NO3 to 30-50%.

  Use of potash fertilizers is an important requirement for the heavy and stable crops of vegetables. Plants having sufficient potash feeding become more hardy against water excess or insufficiency, high or low temperatures, their immunity from diseases and insect-pest.

  Optimal conditions of potash nutrition expedite the improvement of grain quality, chemical composition and appearance of the root crops and fruits, enhancement of preservation during transportation, provide strength and length of bast culture fibers and as a result - they increase the quality of consumable goods.

JSC "Belaruskali" sales and logistics department

The production (potash fertilizers) of Joint Stock Company "Belaruskali" is delivered to Europe, East Asia, Mediterranean countries, South Africa, India, China, South and North America - in total to more than 50 countries. In average export sales make out 80% of Company output.   Organization of work on realization of the manufactured products as well as fulfillment of research and analysis of the world and domestic markets of mineral fertilizers, advertising support of the produce and Company's activities are made by department of the external economic activities.   The main merchant ports, through which the production of PA "Belaruskali" is shipped, are located on the Baltic and Black seas.

From September 25 2006 the deliveries of the potash mineral fertilizeras to the world markets are carried out via the Closed JSC "Belarus Potash Company", the founders therof on the parity conditions are RUE PA Belaruskali and Open JSC Uralkali.  The main goal of the Closed JSC BPC functioning is the maximum meeting of the demands of the potash mineral fertilizers users without the participation of intermediateries and keeping the market stability. Supplies to domestic market make out in average about 20% of potash fertilizers. Common edible rock salt is supplied to domestic market and to Russia, Baltic states and Moldova. Technical salt besides the above-mentioned countries goes into a number of East- and Western European countries.

JSC "Belaruskali" sales and logistics department

Position	First name, last name	Office phone: +375 174
Director-general deputy on commercial issues and logistics	Vladimir Kobiashev	22 53 25
Sales and logistics department head	Yelena Kudryavets	29 86 08
Exports and logistics division head	Dmitri Prokhotski	23 72 08
Deliveries to the domestic market and CIS countries division head	Natalya Steshits	23 86 92

Production of Belaruskaliy

Potassium chloride fineDepending on the mode to process the rock sylvinite ore by different methods - floatation method and hot-leaching method
Depending on the treatment mode - with the reagents, anti-caking agents and dust-suppression agents - non-dusty, dust-free, standard.
Chemical composition:
K₂O - not less than 60%
H₂0- no more than 0,5%
Dustiness - no more than 0,2 g/kg

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Potassium chloride granular
Depending on the mode to process the rock sylvinite -floatation method and hot-leaching method
It is also treated with the reagents,and dust-suppression agents.
Chemical composition:
K₂O - not less than 60%
H₂0 - no more than 0,5%
Dustiness - no more than 0,2 g/kg
Granulometric composition/mass portion of fractions:
more than 4 mm - no more than 3%
from 2 mm up to 4 mm - not less than 87%
Dynamic strength - 85%
Friability- 100%
Dustiness - no more than 0,05 g/kg

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Potassium chloride technical
Depending on the mode to process the sylvinite - hot-leaching method, treating with reagents and anti-caking reagents is possible.
Chemical composition:
K₂O - not less than 62%
H₂0 - no more than 0,2%
Friability - 100 %

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Sodium chloride technical - mineral concentrate (halite) Grades A,B,C
NaCI - not less than 98% (A), 97% (B), 94%(C)
H₂0 - no more than 0,7% (A,B)

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Common edible rock salt - 1st grade
NaCI - not less than 97,7%
H₂0- no more than 0,25%
Granulometric composition: grind N2
Up to 2,5 mm inclusive - not less than 90%
Over 4,5 mm - no more than 5%

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Common edible rock salt iodized
Chemical composition:
NaCI - not less than 97,7%
H₂0 - no more than 0,25%
Granulometric composition: grind No.1
Up to 2,5 mm inclusive - not less than 85%
Over 2,5 mm - no more than 3%

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Common feeding salt
Chemical composition:
NaCI - not less than 95%
H₂0 - no more than 0,5%

Development perspektives of Belaruskaliy

September 13, 2006 according to the regulation of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 1206 "Program of development of the JSC "Belaruskali" until 2012" was adopted.

The main target of the present "Program…" is the improvement of export potential of the JSC "Belaruskali" by means of increase of production capacity of potash fertilizers up to 9 million tons per year and output of the range of products of competitive quality.

INFORMATION
regarding the development program of the JSC "Belaruskali" until 2012

The main target of the present "Program…" is the improvement of export potential of the JSC "Belaruskali" by means of increase of production capacity of potash fertilizers up to 9 million tons per year and output of the range of products of competitive quality.

In order to attain this target the following tasks have to be solved:
- construction of Krasnaya Sloboda and Beryozovski mines for maintaining and extending of the raw salt supplies base of the JSC "Belaruskali" and due to the shortening of the raw material reserves at the mining plants No. 1 and 2;

- modernization and reconstruction of the mines, processing plants and auxiliary shops with the replacement of the physical and morally aged equipment;

- design and implementation of domestic equipment replacing imported one according to "Program of development of import replacing technology, equipment and materials for the JSC "Belaruskali" by the companies of the Republic of Belarus in 2004 - 2009";

- lowering of technological environmental impact in the industrial area of Soligorsk;

Fulfillment of the measures securing the attainment of the targets and solution of the tasks of the present Program has to be accomplished within the period of 2006 - 2012.

Belaruskaliy today

 At the present day Company comprises the four mine and refinery complexes, auxiliary shops and servicing units (transport, energy supply, maintenance, building and other firms and shops). Each of the four mine and refinery complexes comprises a mine to mine the potash ore and the dressing factory to process it and to produce the mineral potash fertilizers in the form of fine, fine crystallized and granulated concentrate of the potassium chloride. Concentrate of the potassium chloride is the main product of the Company's activity. Except this, the Company produces the cooking salt, technical salt, edible salt and feeding salt.

  Since the first years of existence Soligorsk potash enterprises won international recognition. Their products were always popular both on the domestic and foreign markets. The mines and refineries quickly brought new production facilities to the design figure, constantly and dynamically increased the output volumes, actively introduced new types of equipment and new technologies of mining and processing of the ore, extended range of products, improved qualitative characteristics and consumer properties of the produce.

 From September 25 2006 the deliveries of the potash mineral fertilizeras to the world markets are carried out via the Closed JSC "Belarus Potash Company", the founders therof on the parity conditions are RUE PA Belaruskali and Open JSC Uralkali.

 Today every sixth ton of potash fertilizers on earth is produced in Soligorsk. The production of JSC "Belaruskali" is delivered to Europe, East Asia, Mediterranean countries, South Africa, India, China, South and North America - in total to more than 50 countries.

 An intensive work is carried on in order to renew fixed assets, to refit production facilities, to improve technologies of mining and dressing of the ore. In this context the task of development and preparation for mining of the new areas of Starobin deposit is placed in the forefront in order to replace the worked out stocks in the operated mine fields.

 The JSC "Belaruskali" development program for 2006 - 2012 has been elaborated. The implementation of this program will allow to resolve the main issues of ore base development (primarily thanks to commissioning the Krasnoslobodski mine and constructing a new mine at the Beryozovski section of our deposit), and also to renew the morally and physically obsolete equipment, to ensure the maintenance of production capacities and competitiveness of output goods, both on quality and the price factor.

 The main direction of work today is a continuous and steady increase of quality characteristics and consumer properties of the manufactured fertilizers on grounds of requirements of the world market.

 Disposing the sufficient natural base of raw materials, high production potential, highly qualified personnel of workers and specialists, the Joint Stock Company has all the possibilities for the effective production activity within many decades.

The history of Belaruskaliy

 The history of the Company starts from the year 1949 when the Starobin deposit of potash salts was discovered - one of the largest deposits in the world. The first boring tower - imperfect wooden construction, which housed the drilling rig and where the 22-horse power onecylinder motor worked -was erected near the bridge over the Rutka in spring of 1949.

  The exploitation of this deposit began in 1958 from the constructing of the First Soligorsk potash group of enterprises, the first stage thereof was put into operation in December 1963. The commercial mining of the raw potash salt started January 9 1961. Its first car was shipped rom the Kali-1 railway station to the fields of the state farm "10 years of BSSR ".

  In 1965 the Second Soligorsk group of enterprises was commissioned, in 1969 the Third Soligorsk group of enterprises was commissioned. In 1970 the three above mentioned groups of enterprises were merged into one group of enterprises "Belaruskali", which was in 1975 reorganized into the Production Amalgamation "Belaruskali".

  In 1979 the Fourth Soligorsk potash works, constructed by that time, joint the Amalgamation.

  The history of Republican unitary enterprise "Production Amalgamation "Belaruskali" starts from August 1958, when on the basis of Starobin deposit which is one of the largest potash salts deposits in the world, discovered in 1949, the construction of the First Soligorsk potash mining plant was started. Its first stage was put into operation in December 1963.

  In 1965 the Second and in 1969 the Third Soligorsk potash mining plants were put into operation. In 1970 the three above-mentioned mining plants were merged into one group of enterprises "Belaruskali", which was reorganized into the Production Amalgamation "Belaruskali" in 1975. In 1979 the Fourth Soligorsk potash mining plant, constructed by that time, joint the Amalgamation.


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