Kore Potash cuts Congo project costs by $520 million

Once operational, Kola is anticipated to be one of the world’s lowest cost muriate of potash (MoP) suppliers to African and Brazilian markets, the company said.

Kola will be designed with a nameplate capacity of 2.2 million tonnes of MoP per annum over an initial 31 years of mine life.

“Recent geopolitical events highlight the risks inherent with potash production concentrated within a small number of companies and locations with operations situated long distances inland far from ports and global customers,” chief executive officer Brad Sampson said in the statement. “New potash producers are required in locations closer to customers.”

For about a decade, the potash market was affected by oversupply and low prices. But sanctions affecting Russia and Belarus, which produce about 40% of the world’s potash and fears of a global food crisis due in part to the lack of fertilizers have grown stronger.

Kore Potash shares closed on Monday 14.42% higher at £1.23 a piece, leaving the company with a market capitalization of £41.87 million ($51.4m).