Text b Potash Horizons: Salt of the Earth and its People.

Every seventh ton of the potash fertilisers in the world is manufactured at the Production Amalgamation Belaruskali.

It is not by chance that Belaruskali is well-known all over the world. There are a few regions in the world (Antarctica, Greenland and Iceland) where the company’s products are not delivered. Belaruskali has a few competitors on the foreign markets. Besides Belarus the potash salts deposits are found in Canada, Russia, Germany, Jordan and Israel.

The republican unitary enterprise production amalgamation Belaruskali is one of the world leaders in production of potash fertilisers. Belaruskali comprises 4 mine complexes, each including a mine, where potash ore is extracted and a processing plant, where the ore is processed and potash fertilisers are manufactured. Besides, Belaruskali manufactures halite, white and agricultural salt. It employs about 20,000 people.

Belaruskali remains the third largest company in the world in extraction volumes of salts and production of potash mineral fertilisers. At present the potash fertilisers produced by Belaruskali are destined for Europe, East Asia, the Mediterranean states, South Africa, India, China, South and North America, a total of almost 60 countries. On the whole, the exports of Belaruskali account for about 90 % of the company’s total production output. Today Belaruskali is the biggest Belarusian exporter, making every third dollar of the Belarusian export revenues.

The production of Belaruskali used to be cheaper than the German or Canadian just because it legged behind in quality. Unfortunately due to objective natural factors Belarusian ore contains a lot of insoluble sediment. The company strived to achieve the necessary quality elaborating hi-tech equipment, attracting scientists and specialists and finally managed to improve the situation. Constant renovation of mining and technological equipment at factories also significantly contributes to enhancing the quality of the Belarusian potash fertilisers. Of course, the market of potash fertilisers, as any other market, develops in accordance with its own laws prone to fluctuations like rise and fall. But Belaruskali has not only managed to preserve its production potential over the years, but also continues to develop it. All above-mentioned infuses confidence that the captain of the Belarusian economy will keep an opening up new horizons.

Ex. 13. Find the English equivalents for the following:

1) мировой лидер в производстве калийных удобрений; 2) добывать и перерабатывать; 3) месторождения калийной соли; 4) производство калийных удобрений; 5) общий выпуск продукции; 6) уступать по качеству; 7) привлекать ученых; 8) постоянное обновление оборудования; 9) способствовать повышению качества.

Ex. 14. Try to recall as many word combinations with the word”potash” as possible and translate them into Russian:

Eg.: potash mineral fertilisers – калийные минеральные удобрения.

Ex. 15. Complete the sentences.

1. Belaruskali is one of the world leaders in production of ______.

2. Belaruskali _____ 4 mine complexes.

3. Belaruskali manufactures _____ and _____.

4. The production Amalgamation _____ 20,000 people.

5. Belaruskali is the third company in the world in _____.

6.Besides Belarus _____ are found in Germany, Russia, Jordan and Israel.

7. The exports of Belaruskali account for about 90 % of the _____.

8. Belarusian ore contains a lot of _____.

9. Constant _____ at factories contributes to enhancing the quality of the Belarusian potash fertilisers.

Ex. 16. Answer the questions.

1. Why is Belaruskali well-known all over the world? 2. In which countries are the potash salts deposits found? 3. How many mines does Belaruskali comprise? 4. What mineral resources does Belaruskali extract and process? 5. How many people are employed by Belaruskali? 6. Which countries are competitors of Belaruskali? 7. Where are potash fertilisers produced by Belaruskali destined? 8. How much do the exports of Belaruskali account for? 9. Why did the production of Belaruskali use to be cheaper than the German or Canadian? 10. How did Belaruskali manage to improve the situation?

Ex. 17. Retell the article.

Ex. 18. Project Work. Working in the library or using the Internet database prepare a report about the activity of Belarusian agricultural enterprises. Be ready to present your reports.