The Allan mine is a conventional underground mining operation whereby continuous mining machines are used to excavate the potash ore by the stress-relief mining method. Continuous conveyor belts transport ore from the mining face to the bottom of the production shaft. The highest mineral grade section of the Allan potash seam is approximately 3.35 m (11’) thick, with gradations to lower grade salts immediately above and below the mining horizon. The actual mining thickness at Allan is dictated by the height of continuous boring machines used to cut the ore. Eight older mining machines are designed to cut at a thickness of 3.35 m (11’) and five new mining machines are designed to cut 3.65 m (12’).
From the shaft-bottom, potash ore is hoisted approximately 1,000 m from the potash level through the vertical shafts to a surface mill. In addition to hoisting potash ore to surface, the production shaft also provides fresh air ventilation to the mine and serves as a secondary egress. The Service Shaft is used for service access, and exhaust ventilation from the mine.
At Allan, potash ore is mined using conventional mining methods, whereby:
- Shafts are sunk to the potash ore body;
- Continuous mining machines cut out the ore, which is hoisted to surface through the production shaft;
- Raw potash is processed and concentrated in a mill on surface; and
- Concentrated finished potash products (near-pure KCl) are sold and shipped to markets in ........