why fertilser is different, page-3

And it's the depth of deposits that separates Potash from IO and Coal. When a product occurs at/close-to the surface, it's a simple matter to double production. The delay usually comes in getting enough access at ports. When something is 100m+ below surface its a different matter altogether getting it to surface and ready for export. ELM depsit is BOTH shallow and very high grade!

Another thing is that the vols involved are vastly different. World consumption of Potash about 30m tons/annum. IO alone about 30x that! World reserves of Potash are massive and will probably never run out. It's finding an economic deposit that is the key. Even at $700/ton most deposits are not viable. currently 3 countries produce some 85 % of world's potash, namely: Canada,Russia and Belarus. Will we see a world where fert is used as a political weapon? Quiet likely imo.