Mine development

US$775M potash mine expansion

World consumption of potash is expected to increase 12-16% this year. This is an important factor behind Saskatoon, Sask.-based PotashCorp’s recent decision to upgrade its Cory potash facility near Saskatoon.

In 2006 the Cory facility produced approximately 800,000 tonnes of potash. The US$775-million debottlenecking and expansion project will increase the site’s mining and hoisting capability, extend the mine’s warehousing and loading facilities, increase total production capacity, and create a new facility to produce red potash. The plant will produce 2 million tonnes of red potash of which 800,000 tonnes will be crystallized for white potash production.

The international project management and services firm Amec has been awarded a $75-million contract to manage the upgrade. Work is scheduled to begin immediately and is expected to take 36 months to complete. Saskatchewan hosts the world’s largest potash deposits.