Compass Minerals fined $12M for disclosure control lapses

Compass Minerals International, a Kansas-based mining company, agreed to pay a $12 million fine to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to resolve allegations deficiencies in its disclosure controls led to failures at facilities it operates in Canada and Brazil.

The SEC found Compass violated the antifraud, reporting, and internal controls provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act for misleading investors about cost savings from a technology upgrade at its Canadian salt mine and risks created by excessive discharges of mercury at a chemical plant in Brazil.

Without admitting or denying the allegations, Compass agreed to cease and desist from further violations and retain an independent compliance consultant.