Sinkhole crack threatens Russia potash shipments

16 October 2008 11:48  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Subsidence and underground movements have caused a new crack to appear at the sinkhole in Berezniki, Russia, further threatening Silvinit potash shipments, an official at International Potash Co (IPC) said on Thursday.

 

“A new crack has developed from the sinkhole towards the rail line. It is 70 metres from the rail line, which is pretty close,” the official said.

 

The sinkhole was caused by flooding at Uralkali’s Berezniki 1 mine in October 2006.

 

However, the sinkhole was in the vicinity of a rail line used by producer Silvinit to ship potash from its mine. Several rail bypass lines have already been built.

 

The IPC official said that emergency meetings are taking place this week and the go ahead was expected to be given to construct a new small rail bypass to ensure Silvinit shipments.

 

A project to construct a new 53 kilometre rail line from Silvinit in an area away from the sinkhole remains ongoing, but completion is scheduled for the end of 2009, therefore a new bypass needs to be built.  

 

The edge of the sinkhole itself expanded another three metres last week, the first time since July, so that it was 97 metres from the rail line.

 

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By: Rebecca Clarke
+44 20 8652 3214

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