Here’s why the planned Jansen potash mine could be the greenest one built in 50 years
A BHP executive says the potash produced by the nascent Jansen mine will help the company’s decarbonization efforts.
“BHP is quite old and has a heritage going back, possibly more than 140 years and I think, in a general sense we see this opportunity with potash to change the makeup of the way the company looks and feels,” Giles Hellyer, vice president of potash operations, said in an interview.
“This is the opportunity to explore a new commodity, a brand new commodity, which we don't do very often, that is more aligned with global megatrends around rising populations and food security.
“So, for decarbonization of course, this is also a product which is quite different to other commodities. It's aligned to a decarbonizing world so it offers great exposure to what we term as a future-facing commodity.”
The company announced on Tuesday it will spend $7.5 billion to build the mine. It’s expected to produce 4.35 million tonnes of potash per year with ore extraction starting in 2027 with a two-year ramp-up period. It is BHP’s first foray into the potash industry.
BHP aims to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“It’s a challenge, but it’s one we’re up for. But you don’t get that chance every day that there’s something like this with Jansen from day one and that’s why we’re just so excited,” Hellyer said.
Potash, a form of potassium, is fundamental to crop production and enables sustained growth - and crops in turn absorb carbon from the atmosphere, he said.
“It’s just unfortunate, of course, that probably you can’t grow enough and other forms of agriculture to take in the growing carbon … It's the production of that which is important to us.”
Hellyer said Jansen is one of the most significant and largest conventional underground mines that has been built in 50 years, which is an opportunity to use modern technology to decarbonize the mine.
For example, most underground equipment will be electrified from day one - and BHP plans to get there completely by the early 2030s. In addition, modern processing technology requires less energy, he said.
The company is contemplating the possibilities of capturing energy to reduce the energy consumption required and carbon capture and storage.
“There's just so many amazing things going on. I mean we've got a really talented workforce here in Saskatchewan, that have been helping us to design Jansen in a way that's really tremendously exciting.
“There's so much new technology we're introducing that increases the efficiency of the operation, and that in itself allows less equipment to be used.”
Do you have a story idea or news tip? Email us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.