EXHIBIT 10.1

(COMPASS LOGO)

January 12, 2005

To:      Mr. Steve P. Wolf

From:    Michael E. Ducey

Subject: Employment Terms - Letter Agreement

Dear Steve:

This Letter Agreement confirms the understanding reached between you and Compass
Minerals International, (the "Company") regarding the terms of your employment
with the Company.

1.       Your new position as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Development
         will begin January 1, 2005 and continue through December 31, 2005
         unless shortened or extended by mutual consent.

2.       In your new position, you will report to me and be based in the
         Overland Park, Kansas office.

3.       You will be paid a base salary at the rate of $291,847.04 per year;
         which will be payable in accordance with the Company's customary
         payroll practices.

4.       In your new position you will be eligible for the CMI Incentive
         Compensation Plan (CMICP) for 2005 subject to the terms and conditions
         outlined in the plan. The CMICP may be amended at the Company's
         discretion. Under the current CMICP associated with your new role, you
         will be eligible for a target bonus of 50% of your base salary.

5.       As in your former position, you are eligible for continued
         participation in employee benefit plans as well as other fringe
         benefits available to senior executives of the Company.

6.       If your employment is not extended by mutual agreement, your employment
         is terminated without "Cause" (as defined in The 2001 Non-Qualified
         Stock Option Plan, but which definition shall also include any breach
         by you of the Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality
         Agreement), or you resign for "Good Reason" (as defined in your
         Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement), the Company will continue to pay
         your base salary in accordance with the Company's customary payroll
         practices until the earliest of (1) the second (2nd) anniversary date
         of your termination date, or (2) you violate the terms of this Letter
         Agreement or the Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality
         Agreement. If your employment is terminated for any other reason, you
         will not be entitled to any severance payments. In order to effectuate
         this paragraph 6, you agree that following any termination of
         employment without "Cause" or for "Good Reason", you will provide the
         Company with prompt notice of your acceptance of employment with any
         other person or entity.

7.       As a condition of the foregoing, you must enter into a Non-Competition,
         Non-Solicitation, and Confidentiality Agreement in the form provided by
         the Company (attached).

Please indicate your acceptance of the terms and provisions of this Letter
Agreement by signing both copies of this Letter Agreement and returning one copy
to me. The other copy is for your files. By signing below, you acknowledge and
agree that you have carefully read this Letter Agreement in its entirety; fully
understand and agree to its terms and provision; and intend and agree that it be
final and legally binding on you and the Company. This Letter Agreement shall be
governed and construed under the internal laws of the State of Kansas and may be
executed in several counterparts.

                                            Sincerely,


                                            /s/ Michael E. Ducey
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Michael E. Ducey

Agreed and Accepted:

/s/ Steven P. Wolf
- --------------------------------------
Steven P. Wolf