Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | In-Situ |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
- Dissolving & Crystallising
|
The world’s largest potash solution mine. |
Summary:
Mosaic Belle Plaine is operated as a solution mine rather than the conventional underground mine that uses mining machines and miners to bring solid ore to the surface. In the solution mine raw ore is extracted at remote cluster sites by injecting water underground into potash deposits and recovering the saturated solution to the surface.
Similar to conventional potash mines, the by-products of Belle Plaine consist of salt (NaCl), clays (fines) and brine. Belle Plaine can, however, dispose of resaturated salts into the mine cavities as there are no underground workings.
This results in a much smaller accumulation of salts above ground in the tailings management area (TMA).
Processing Technologies
- Dissolving & Crystallising
Summary:
Natural gas is used at Belle Plaine solution mine as a fuel to produce steam and to dry potash products. The steam is used to generate electricity, in evaporation and crystallization processes and to provide thermal heat to the solution mining process.
Recoveries & Grades:
| Commodity | Parameter | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
Potash
|
Head Grade, %
| 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Production:
| Commodity | Units | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
Potash
|
Mt
| ......  | ...... | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
All production numbers are expressed as salt.
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
Ore tonnes mined
| ...... | 9 Mt | 8 Mt | 8.4 Mt | 8.2 Mt |
|
Annual production capacity
| ...... | 2.4 Mt of potash salt | | | |
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Reserves at December 31, 2017:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal | Recoverable Metal |
|
Proven & Probable
|
819 Mt
|
K2O
|
18 %
|
000's
|
000's
|
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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Aerial view:
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