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For decades, potash has been a linchpin of the Saskatchewan economy. From the earliest mining efforts in the 1950s and ’60s, up to the high volume trading that takes place today, a significant part of the history of mining in Saskatchewan is tied to potash production. Among the many groups working to make sure potash continues to be a part of the province’s future is the Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA), which is concerned with representing and supporting a safe, responsible and growing Saskatchewan mining industry, and encouraging research and training within Saskatchewan. These mandates prove to be a demanding job, as Saskatchewan’s potash industry continues to grow.
Much of this development can be attributed to the wealth of potash that exists within the province. The prairie evaporate unit, which hosts the potash deposits, stretches from an area west of Saskatoon, east to Rocanville, and southward to Moose Jaw. As a result, recent estimates indicate that, at the current rate of production, Saskatchewan’s reserves will last for hundreds of years and will continue to provide a stable foundation for expansion.
Within Canada itself, Saskatchewan stands as the leading producer of potash, with over 85 per cent of the nation’s total coming from the province’s 10 operational mines. From these mines, approximately 14 million tonnes (Mt) of KCl was produced in 2012, with future expansions looking to add another five to 10 Mt of production by 2020. Overall, PotashCorp operates four conventional underground mines (Cory, Lanigan, Rocanville, and Allan) and one solution mine (Patience Lake), Mosaic oversees three conventional underground mines (Colonsay, Esterhazy K1 and K2) and one solution mine (Belle Plaine), and Agrium runs a single conventional underground mine (Vanscoy)
Due to this wide base of producers, the province has been able to dominate the national market and take advantage of favourable commodity prices, with potash being the top-ranked commodity by production value for the past three years. For example, in 2012 alone, potash sales from Canada were valued at nearly $7 billion, with Saskatchewan production valued at $6.2 billion.
Additionally, the importance of potash to the province – and Canada as a whole – will continue, even with the breakup of the Russian-Belarusian group. “Our producers are responsible and have been looking 40 to 50 years ahead when making their investment decsions,” said SMA executive director Pamela Schwann, “which means that the long-term value of potash will continue.”
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