Surface facilities plan for the innovative in situ Milestone potash project near Regina, Sask. (Image: Western Resources)[/caption]
SASKATCHEWAN – Vancouver-based Western Resources Corp. says its subsidiary, Western Potash Corp. began production drilling on July 14, 2019. at the Milestone in situ potash project 35 km southeast of Regina.
Western is calling Milestone the newest and “most innovative, environmentally friendly and capital efficient” potash producer in Canada. This is the world’s first potash mine that will leave no salt tailings on the surface [see comment below]. Water consumption is also significantly reduced.
The first phase of the project will reach the high grade potash bed using horizontal drilling techniques. The potash will be selectively leached into solution and pumped to the surface.
The drilling program will last about four months and consist of six wells that connect to three underground caverns. Each cavern has an injection well under the potash bed and a withdrawal well that carries the brine to the surface. The caverns will first undergo “cold” mining during which the brine in the caverns will be saturated with salt. Then in the “hot” mining step, the brine will be recirculated through the caverns and extract the potassium chloride. The saturated liquid will be stored in ponds.
Visit www.WesternPotash.com to take a virtual tour. 
April 18, 2024
Comments
Brian Roulston
Western Potash Corp’s statement that their Milestone project “is the world’s first potash mine that will leave no salt tailings on the surface” is not correct. The Penobsquis mine in New Brunswick, developed and operated by PCA, before being acquired by PCS, was a zero effluent potash mine — all salt tailings were returned directly to the underground to be used as an integral part of the cut-and-fill operation, and all brine generated by the mill was evaporated to eliminate the need for brine disposal and to reclaim extra potash values.