The additional compensation is being paid on a voluntary basis and in line with Uralkali's social responsibility efforts.

In March 2009 Uralkali voluntarily offered to pay RUB5bn to bridge the financing gap for the bypass construction and paid this amount to the federal budget before the end of the year.

The Yayva-Solikamsk railroad bypass was commissioned in December 2009 and opened for passenger transportation in January 2010.

At present, the construction of flyovers for the bypass is under way and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010. In late December 2009, the successful completion of the railroad bypass was reported by Russian Railways president Vladimir Yakunin and Russian minister of natural resources Yuri Trutnev to Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, who expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the parties involved in the project.

Russian Railways stated at that time that an extra RUB3bn was needed to finance the construction project.

Story provided by Business Financial Newswire