EuroChem initiates exploration of the Novo-Gremyachinskoye potash field in Russia

EuroChem began exploratory drilling at the Novo-Gremyachinskoye deposit in the Volgograd region, marking a significant advancement in Russia’s potash industry. Specialists have drilled the initial exploratory well, conducted geophysical research, and collected samples to analyze the properties of the rock and the quality of potash reserves.

Preliminary estimates suggest that the Novo-Gremyachinskoye deposit contains about 1.2 billion tons of raw potash salts. This substantial reserve is expected to supply the EuroChem-Volgakali facility with raw materials for approximately 50 years, and when combined with the currently mined Gremyachinskoye deposit, the total reserves will support nearly a century of mining operations.

EuroChem is capable of producing all three main types of fertilizers—nitrogen, phosphate, and potash—and continues to expand its capacity. “We are steadily increasing our potash extraction and processing capacities in the Urals and Southern Russia,” stated Oleg Shiryaev, President of the EuroChem Group. With the first phase of the Usolsky Potash Plant and Volgakali already operational, producing over 3 million tons of potassium chloride annually, the completion of these projects is expected to double the output to 6.7 million tons per year.

EuroChem is actively pursuing several projects to enhance potash fertilizer production. The VolgaKali facility is slated to reach full capacity, producing over 2 million tons of fertilizers annually by 2026. Additionally, investment continues at the Usolsky site in Perm Krai, and plans are underway to expand at the SaratovKaliy site.

“The challenge of mining potash deposits lies in their proximity to underground water sources, which can cause the salts to dissolve rapidly,” explained industrial expert Leonid Khazanov. “Furthermore, the mine at the Gremyachinskoye deposit operates at depths of more than 1 km, introducing additional risks. Therefore, designing, constructing, and operating these mines requires exceptional engineering expertise, which EuroChem possesses. The EuroChem-Volgakali project, exploiting the Gremyachinskoye potassium deposit in the Volgograd region, represents the first instance in modern Russian history of developing a potash deposit from scratch.”