Muskowekwan ProjectPotash Mining- Case Study

Impact of Potash Mining on Rivers

Presented By: Varun Gandhi

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Potash is used for fertilizer acting as a supplementary source of plant nutrients if the natural

supply is insufficient.

Saskatchewan is a leader in the Canadian and global mining scene.

In 2011, it continued to be the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash, supplying almost

30% of the world’s supply.

Saskatchewan mineral industry will invest over $50 billion in expansions and new mines which

translates to new investments of more than $6 M a day.

Mining employment (direct, indirect and induced) will see its contribution rise to 17% of

total employment or almost 1 in 5 jobs ( projected 2008-28).

Salt is separated from the potash and used for table salt, water softening salt, livestock salt and road de-icing salt.

Source: www. Saskmining.ca – Mining Fact Sheet

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Project: Muskowekwan Potash Mine: Proposed to produce 2.8 million tonnes per year for 50+

years.

Proponents: First Potash Ventures (FPV)- A Joint venture b/w

Encanto Resources Ltd.

Muskowekwan First Nation (MFN)

Muskowekwan Resources Limited (MRL)

Location of the Site: Potash mine is located 100 km north-northeast of Regina on

Muskowekwan First Nation reserve lands, 120 km directly west of Yorkton,

Saskatchewan.

Financials:

Estimated $3 billion mine

Should create about 1,000 jobs during the construction period

Another 500 once it is fully operational.

At current potash prices, this royalty revenue would be about $80 million per year.

Source: Muskowekwan Project Project Description and Technical Proposal Executive Summary December 2012

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There no well-defined creeks or rivers in the Project area.

Prospective Water Resources:

The Qu’Appelle River watershed.

Last Mountain Lake (LML)

Buffalo Pound Lake (BPL

Katepwa Lake

The Quill Lakes watershed within the

South Saskatchewan River watershed

Source: Muskowekwan Project Project Description and Technical Proposal Executive Summary December 2012

The Qu'Appelle River is a Canadian river that flows 430 km east from

Lake Diefenbaker in southwestern Saskatchewan to join the

Assiniboine River in Manitoba, just south of Lake of the Prairies

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu'Appelle_River

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Solution mining is currently used at a number of operations in North America.

The process relies on the greater solubility at elevated temperatures in brine of sylvite in comparison to salt (NaCl).

Commonly, brine is heated on the surface then injected into the orebody through wells.

The heated brine absorbs sylvite from the ore-body and is then pumped back to the surface to a series of ponds, where the potash precipitates as the brine cools.

The potash is recovered from the ponds by dredges and pumped to the plant for processing.

The brine is heated again and the process repeated. An advantage of the method is that it allows ore extraction at greater depths than with conventional underground mining methods.

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The quantity, distribution, and flow of shallow groundwater may also be affected by subsidence and the use of groundwater

The operation phase may potentially affect surface water quality due to dust, air emissions, or accidental spills.

Changes in drainage patterns due to subsidence altering the water balance.

Construction of surface facilities and infrastructure will result in changes in grade elevations, minor alterationsto the surface drainage patterns, and impoundment of water, which may alter local infiltration rates andgroundwater flow patterns.

Groundwater quality may also be affected by runoff and seepage from potash and salt storage piles and the brine pond.

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Groundwater quality and quantity, hydrology, and sediment and soil chemistry can all affect surface water quality.

Increased Erosion.

Loss of a small proportion of wetlands from facilities.

Alterations to surface drainage due to subsidence.

Large volumes of water are typically required by mining and beneficiation activities leading to a fall in the level of

the water table, affecting the surrounding ecosystem and potentially resulting in competition with other users.

Rare species such as barn swallow, bobolink, horned grebe, and short-eared owl might have potential effects with

removal of vegetation, rare plants, and wetlands.

Source: Muskowekwan Project Project Description and Technical Proposal Executive Summary December 2012

Aerial Photo of Facility Site Location Colorado River

Moab, UtahSource: http://jamesmcgillis.com/default.asp?id=241

Muskowekwan Project Project Description and Technical Proposal

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la2SDmdrmC0

Inundation Cominco Potash Mine, Saskatchewan 2nd August 1970

40 Km southwest of Saskatoon.

Potash bed is mined at a depth of 1100 M.

Water and Quick Side has very high pressure which resulted flooding of Shafts.

It took Two years to rehabilitate the mine.

15,000 mtrs3 of fine quartz sand and Removed.

Resulted low lying areas were abandoned.

Uralkali in the town of Berezniki Russia

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After effects of Flooding

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