Construction is about to begin this year on a Saskatchewan potash mine with a much smaller environmental footprint than industry norms, in line with the company’s CEO.
“we actually consider this is the beginning of a brand new era of potash manufacturing. this will likely be the way potash is produced within the long term,” Gensource CEO Mike Ferguson stated.
The Tugaske potash mine, located roughly A HUNDRED AND FIFTY kilometres northwest of Regina, will use some distance less water than others, Ferguson said. a standard mine of this type requires four kilograms of water to supply one kilogram of potash, however Tusaske Tugaske will want handiest about 1.5 kilograms. this may occasionally be finished through new era and more intensive water recycling, he mentioned.
The Tugaske potash mine, set to begin construction this year, will probably be the primary Saskatchewan mine with out a tailings or brine ponds, says the company. (Gensource Potash)
Ferguson mentioned new generation will even permit Tugaske to grow to be the primary potash mine in Saskatchewan and not using a tailings ponds. These regularly-massive surface level systems are used to store the salt and other waste products delivered to the surface with the potash.
a standard mine of this kind brings up two kilograms of salt waste for each kilogram of potash produced. The technology used at Tugaske will separate the potash earlier than it is delivered to the surface, Ferguson mentioned.
He said the new measures are good for his or her profits, but will even be good for the surroundings.
“Generation comes alongside and changes issues,” he stated. we don’t use steam engines to any extent further.”
Ferguson said development will handiest take years, in part as a result of the Tugaske’s smaller scale. It Is anticipated to provide 250,000 tonnes of potash in keeping with year, in comparison with better mines that produce thousands and thousands.
Gensource Potash CEO Mike Ferguson stated a brand new Saskatchewan mine can have a far smaller environmental footprint than related operations. (Gensource Potash)
Meanwhile, BHP is going beforehand with its Jansen potash mine, which might be the world’s biggest, east of Saskatoon. An BHP professional despatched alongside company knowledge stating Jansen can even lower water use considerably — as a lot as 60 per cent — but there did not seem to be any data on tailings.
nobody from Saskatchewan’s biggest producer, Nutrien, may well be reached for comment.
Saskatchewan Environmental Society vice chairman Robert Halliday mentioned water use and salt waste are of the massive considerations with potash mines. He mentioned the Tugaske undertaking, “undoubtedly sounds fascinating.”
Halliday referred to Gensource also plans to generate energy on web site, in order to additional give a boost to the environmental footprint.
“it sounds as if that they are taking into account a few good stuff,” Halliday said.
He stated he will be staring at as it develops and hopes any enhancements might be adopted across the trade.