K+S and BUND agree on further improvements for the Werra and Weser rivers

As part of this settlement, K+S undertakes in particular to optimize the discharge of saline water under the existing discharge permit from the beginning of 2024 in such a way that the FFH area between Philippsthal and Heringen is relieved - in addition to the gradual improvement already planned. For this part of the water body between the discharge points Hattorf and Wintershall, BUND and the Company have agreed on compliance with an additional target value for chloride of 600 mg/l at the sampling point at the Wintershall entrance. Furthermore, K+S has given a binding commitment to comply with even stricter requirements for mineral concentrations at the Gerstungen gauging station than those stipulated in the already tight specifications of the official permit.

“In intensive and always trusting negotiations, we jointly succeeded in finding a good solution for the further relief of the Werra and Weser rivers and for safeguarding the discharge,” explains Dr. Burkhard Lohr, Chairman of the K+S Board of Executive Directors. In addition to filing a lawsuit in principle against the discharge permit with the Kassel Administrative Court, the Hesse branch of BUND had also applied for the enforcement of the permit to be suspended until the facts of the case had been finally clarified. BUND will now withdraw this application for interim legal protection.

“With the agreement, we are following up on the settlement with BUND on the premature termination of the injection into deep rock strata,” recalls Lohr, Chairman of the K+S Board of Executive Directors, and adds: “Even then, we proved to be a reliable partner. We are pioneers for environmentally friendly mining and want to continue working together with BUND to improve the water quality of the Werra and Weser rivers.”