German fertilizer supplier K+S AG (SDF.XE) Thursday said its supply capacity hasn't been affected by a recent gas eruption that killed three miners at a German potash mine.
"Existing orders are being processed by the K+S sister plants," the company said.
A controlled explosion at the mine last week triggered the release of a large amount of carbon dioxide into a mine shaft and above ground, leading to another explosion that trapped seven miners underground.
Two mines and a work area above ground were evacuated as part of the rescue operation and the mine has halted all production until an investigation is completed.
"The exceptionally strong gas eruption at the Unterbreizbach mine on October 1 no longer permits the resumption of crude salt extraction before the beginning of November," K+S said.
The company will decide how to proceed further once a comprehensive assessment of the situation in the mine has been done.
Employees are currently using up vacation entitlements and existing time credits as it isn't possible to find work for most of them during the standstill, K+S said.
Options to work shorter hours will be announced soon, and the company is holding talks with the works council to come to an agreement.
