EXHIBIT 99.1


(COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL LOGO)

NEWS RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rodney L. Underdown (913-344-9395)              Peggy Landon (913-344-9315)
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer      Director of Investor Relations



     COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CEO ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO RETIRE

         OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (November 4, 2005) -- Michael E. Ducey, president
and chief executive officer of Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE: CMP),
has announced plans to retire at the end of 2006. Under the company's succession
guidelines, the board of directors has initiated a national search for his
replacement.

         "Since I joined Compass in 2002, we've made tremendous progress,
becoming an independent company with solid financial performance and a clear
focus on operational excellence, customer service and shareholder value," Mr.
Ducey said. "Now, with the company on a firm footing, it's time for Compass to
transition to a new leader who can take this company forward over the long term,
and it's time for me to spend more time with my grandchildren."

         "I'm proud of what I've accomplished as a member of a great team at
Compass. I leave with deep gratitude to the employees of Compass Minerals and
great optimism about the company's future."

         Mr. Ducey, 57, will serve as a consultant to the company following his
retirement. "While I expect to remain active in business," Mr. Ducey added, "I
intend to step back a bit, travel and spend more time with my family."

         "Compass has made great progress during Mike's tenure, and the board is
extremely grateful for his many contributions," said Dick Grant, Compass
Minerals' lead director. "Mike worked closely with the board as he finalized his
decision, and we're pleased that he has agreed to make his knowledge and
experience available to us as a consultant."






         "A search to select a new president and CEO has begun," Mr. Grant
added. "Compass has an excellent management team, a clear direction and a bright
future, and we will search for a successor who has the experience, leadership
and vision to guide the company forward. We expect the search to be thorough and
swift."

         Upon appointment, the new CEO will assume Mr. Ducey's seat on the board
of directors. To ensure a smooth a transition, Mr. Ducey will continue to work
with the new CEO through the end of 2006.

         Prior to joining Compass in April 2002, Mr. Ducey was President and CEO
of Borden Chemical, a billion-dollar diversified chemical company. In the 30
years he was with Borden, Mr. Ducey also held the positions of chief operating
officer and executive vice president, director of sales and marketing and
director of planning and commercial development at Forest Products, N.A. He
earned a bachelor of arts degree from Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio and
an MBA from the University of Dayton.

ABOUT COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

         Based in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Compass is the
second-leading salt producer in North America and the largest in the United
Kingdom. The company operates nine production facilities, including the largest
rock salt mine in the world in Goderich, Ontario. The company's product lines
include salt for highway deicing, consumer deicing, water conditioning, consumer
and industrial food preparation, agriculture and industrial applications. In
addition, Compass is North America's leading producer of sulfate of potash,
which is used in the production of specialty fertilizers for high-value crops
and turf, and magnesium chloride, which is a premium deicing and dust control
agent.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based
on the Company's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially. The differences
could be caused by a number of factors including those factors identified in
Compass Minerals International's annual report on form 10-k filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005. The Company will not
update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect
future events or developments.


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