How potash deposits form

Potash deposits have formed throughout almost the entire history of our planet, as the process of formation of potassium-containing rocks is associated with a number of unique climatic and geological processes.

Due to the displacement of crustal blocks, the sea was partially cut off by low mountains and banks or even isolated from other sources. In regions with a hot and dry climate, evaporation of water was not adequately compensated with precipitation and surface sources, so over time these lagoons dried up and their bottom remained covered with crystallised salt. As a result of major crustal displacements, these layers went deep into the earth’s interior.

The largest mined potash deposits are in Russia and Canada. Canadian deposits formed in the Upper Devonian (370 million years ago) while Russian ones formed from 275 to 490 million years ago. Potash deposits in Germany and the UK appeared 250 million years ago. Potash deposits on the North-East coast of Brazil and the West coast of Africa (Congo) belong to the Cretaceous period (120 million years ago). Modern deposits are represented by salt lakes (Chile, China, Israel, Jordan and the United States).