2009-11-05 13:42:03 -

The board of directors of Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.355 per share payable on December 15, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2009.

About Compass Minerals


Based in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Compass Minerals is a leading producer of minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash specialty

fertilizer and magnesium chloride. The company provides highway deicing salt to customers in North America and the United Kingdom and specialty fertilizer to growers worldwide. Compass Minerals also produces consumer deicing and water conditioning products, ingredients used in consumer and commercial foods, and other mineral-based products for consumer, agricultural and industrial applications. Compass Minerals also provides records management services to businesses throughout the U.K.

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 February 20, 2009. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect future events or developments.

Compass MineralsRodney L. Underdown, 913-344-9395Chief
Financial OfficerorPeggy Landon, 913-344-9315Director
of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications