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Potash enhances drought tolerance, disease resistance, and plant standability for corn, which is why farmers apply it. But have you ever really thought about where it comes from? Hoosier Ag Today was in Canada this week and 1,000 meters below ground.
“Without fertilizer we wouldn’t be able to feed the 8 billion people in the world,” says Les Frehlich, general manager of Nutrien’s Allan mine, located about 28 miles or 45 kilometers outside of Saskatoon, where Nutrien is headquartered. “And potash has an important role.”
Global production of potash is around 70 million tonnes with 20 million of that produced in the Saskatchewan province.
“Potash is a soft rock,” Frehlich explains. “So, our ore consists of 2/3 salt, 1/3 potash, with a little bit of clay…You know, it’s quite roomy down there.”
Down there is a little over half a mile under the surface. Construction began on the Allan mine in 1964 with the first potash struck in 1968.
“Our mine has grown significantly over the years. The footprint is roughly 20 kilometers by 14 kilometers. So, it covers a large area. That’s over five and a half decades of mining.”
In fact, the farthest mine face, where they use a borer to extract the potash, is about an hour’s drive from the mineshaft.
Safety is a core value at the mine. 12-hour shifts underground could prove taxing, but Frehlich says their employee turnover rate is quite low at around 4%.
“Our trade rate right now is about $60 an hour, so our employees are paid well and they tend to stay. It’s interesting work. Potash mining is pretty unique, so there’s a variety of work every day and it’s quite interesting, technical, and I think people get a lot out of that beyond just the pay.”
Nutrien invited U.S. farm media to Saskatoon to tour the Allan mine and milling facility as well as their headquarters. We’ll have more from the trip in the coming days.
