Sinohydro Gets Nod to Develop Potash Project in Laos    

The National Development and Reform Commission on November 6th approved Sinohydro Corp's plan to develop a 120 000 t/a potash project in Vientiane plain potash mine in Laos.
   Sinohydro is one of the 132 central government-owned state companies under the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. The company reportedly has a 50% market share in the global hydropower station construction industry, but has never been engaged in potash business before.
   China is the world's largest potash consumer because it's a major agricultural nation, and it really relies on imports for its potash needs.
   China's Ministry of Land and Resource has ever in November 2000 signed a framework agreement with the Lao government to explore and develop the potash deposit in Vientiane. On February 25th, 2006, Sinohydro inked a deal with the Lao government in Vientiane, to investigate and explore the deposit. After more than three years of preparatory work, the company has entered the land purchase stage and has signed agreement for mining, process designing, and exploration and production.