Imports into China total some 600,000 tpa, and it is therefore hoped that the addition of this second plant will remove this dependence on overseas material. In addition, the potential could also exist for exporting surplus products at a later date. As well as potash, the Qaidam basin, in the northwestern part of Qinghai Province, is poised to become one of the country's principal areas for salt, chemical and asbestos production. In addition to this second fertiliser plant, plans are under review for the construction of a number of other projects, including cement plants. The basin, which stretches for over 250,000km~2, is host to a total of 39 different minerals. Some of these deposits, namely lake salt, potassium, magnesium, lithium, strontium, asbestos and limestone, are reputed to be amongst the highest anywhere in the country.
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