Keywords: Potash, Deposits, Reserves.

The food requirements of the growing world population can only be met by increasing both quantity and quality of agricultural inputs. Mineral fertilisation is one of the most important as 50-60% of yield increases can be attributed to its influence. Balanced fertilisation must include potassium. This being a non-renewable resource, the question of whether known potash reserves and resources will suffice to maintain a reliable basis for the world’s potash supplies is of general interest.

Known and exploited deposits are situated in regions which at the same time constitute the world’s most developed agricultural areas. These regions form natural outlets for the respective national producers who cover between 80% and 100% of regional demand. This explains the importance of the West and East European deposits. Geographical location, infrastructure and distances are decisive factors determining the subjective value of a deposit.

The developing countries are only now on the verge of exploiting a few deposits of their own but will continue to rely heavily on imports from other producing regions.

Both worldwide and regionally, untapped resources of potash are vast, but even reserves will last long enough to guarantee uninterrupted potash supplies for a long time to come.

G Rüping, Kali und Salz AG., Germany.

52 Pages, 8 Figures, 15 Tables, 28 References.