Vientiane Times, February 13, 2012

The Lao government has given permission for the Vietnam Chemical Group (Vinachem) to excavate and process potassium in Khammuan province. Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong signs the agreement with Mr Nguyen Dinh Khang, witnessed by Lao President Choummaly Sayasone and Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang and other high-ranking officials from Laos and Vietnam.

According to a Vietnam News report, the Vinachem group will invest US $450 million in the project in Nongbong village, Thakhek district, to extract and process potassium, which is also known as kali salt. The Vietnamese company plans to excavate potassium in a 10 square kilometre area, with a concession period of 20 years which can be extended for another five years.