SAO PAULO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Brazil Potash Corp ( GRO )

is in talks with banks and other lenders to secure between $1.7

billion and $1.8 billion in debt to fund its planned potash mine

in Brazil's Amazonas state, Chief Executive Matt Simpson said in

an interview.

The underground mine, around 100 miles from Manaus, the

capital of Amazonas, will supply 2.4 million short tons of

potash per year, equivalent to 17% of Brazil's current potash

needs once production begins near 2030, Simpson told Reuters

this week.

The project would be key for the country, a global

agricultural powerhouse which imports almost all of its potash

fertilizer, Simpson said.

Brazil Potash ( GRO ) has raised around $280 million to fund

construction of the potash project, which is expected to cost

around $2.5 billion, Simpson added.

"We're speaking to a number of different banks," Simpson

said. "We're also speaking to some export credit agencies and

some international financial institutions."

Possible lenders include Brazilian and international

entities, he added.

Project developers are taking steps to prevent damage to the

environment in the Amazon region, Simpson said, noting that

water used in potash production will largely be recycled.

Brazil Potash ( GRO ) has already secured an agreement with

agriculture company Amaggi, which committed to purchasing

550,000 tons of the mine's planned production, Simpson said.

Amaggi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Brazil Potash ( GRO ) has a memorandum of understanding for another

million tons with another company and is in talks with a third

potential client, Simpson said.

"Over the course of the next couple of months, we're aiming

to have about 2.2 million of our 2.4 million (short tons) under

contracts for at least 10 years in duration," he said.