Exploration of potassium chloride from Khur Playa

The Great Kavir is located in the centre and extended to the eastern part of Iran. The low rainfall (86.5 mm/yr) and highevaporation (2857 mm/yr) in this region have led to the presence of a number of playas. This study summarizes the most important andeconomical minerals such as halite and potash which are deposited in the Great Kavir, especially in Khur Playa. There is thus a strongmotivation for extracting this material. The evaporate minerals precipitating from the playa brine are influenced by the progressivechange in brine salinity and its composition.Research was then undertaken to elaborate a common extraction method based on a programmed scheme. A series of test-pits andboreholes were drilled in the playa to a depth of maximum 63 m to produce brine. The pre-constructed ponds were then used to extractKCl by evaporation of water under the sun. Our investigations show that the average content of potassium at Khur Playa is at least2600 ppm.