Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Underground |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
- Dissolving & Crystallising
|
Source:
p. 6
Effective January 1, 2018, PotashCorp and Agrium Inc. (“Agrium”) completed a court-approved plan of Merger (the “Merger”) under section 192 of the CBCA, involving, among others, PotashCorp, Agrium and Nutrien Ltd. (“Nutrien”), the new parent company of PotashCorp and Agrium. As a result of completing the Merger, PotashCorp and Agrium are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Nutrien.
Summary:
Patience Lake is a solution mine. Solution mining involves the injection of heated brine (a salt and water solution) to extract potash from the
underground ore bodies. The resulting potash-rich brine is pumped to surface ponds or crystalizers where the potash is extracted.
Injection Wells
Brine is injected underground and is circulated throughout the mine workings to dissolve the potash and salt.
Submersible Pumps
The brine is pumped to an evaporation pond using submersible pumps.
Evaporation Ponds
As the liquid cools, the potash and salt crystals settle to the bottom of the pond.
Extraction
The cool brine is then heated and reinjected into the mine to start dissolving potash again. The remaining potash in the ponds is removed by floating dredges and pumped to the mill.
Processing Technologies
- Dissolving & Crystallising
Production:
| Commodity | Units | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
|
Potash
|
Mt
| ......  | ...... | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
All production numbers are expressed as salt.
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|
Annual production capacity
| ...... | 0.3 Mt of potash salt | 0.3 Mt of potash salt |
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Financials:
| | Units | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
M CAD
|
0.91
|
1.41
|
0.97
|