K+S Potash Canada’s Project in Final Stretch

Saskatoon, Sask. – 2016 is a big year for K+S Potash Canada (KSPC). The construction of the Legacy mine near Bethune, Sask., the biggest project currently under construction in Saskatchewan, is nearing completion. The workforce numbers, including K+S employees and construction contractors, are the highest to date; commissioning of the mine is on track for the end of August; and the first tonne of potash is scheduled to be produced by the end of the year.

“We are reaching the final milestones on the road to production,” said Dr. Ulrich Lamp, President and Chief Executive Officer, KSPC. “Our team has worked hard to keep our project on time and on budget, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished. The progress has been incredible.”

KSPC broke ground for its Legacy Project solution potash mine in June 2012, which will be the first new potash mine in Saskatchewan in over forty years. The open prairie, which hosted the ground breaking, has changed dramatically in the last four years.

Today, twenty underground caverns, in which potash ore is dissolved, are developed and ready to provide potash-rich brine to the production facility at start-up. More than 100 employees have moved into permanent spaces in the new operations and administration buildings on site. External utilities are all up and running, ready to fully service production, and at this stage, about 90% of the total budget of C$4.1 billion has been invested.

“Many milestones have been achieved to get us where we are today – close to being fully operational,” said Sam Farris, Vice President and General Manager of Operations, KSPC. “Now, we’re all looking forward to commissioning the mine end of August and producing our first tonne by the end of the year.”

The Legacy Project is presently the largest job creator in Saskatchewan, currently providing approximately 4500 construction jobs, and is creating new business opportunities for Saskatchewan companies supplying goods and services to the project. Legacy has also contributed to Saskatchewan’s growth through tax revenues, utilities and local partnerships. Once in production, it is anticipated that the mine will produce 2 million tonnes of potash per year, ramping up to 2.86 million tonnes in subsequent years.

About the K+S Group

K+S Potash Canada is part of the K+S Group, an international resources company. We have been mining and processing mineral raw materials for more than 125 years. The products we produce from them are used worldwide in agriculture, food and road safety and are important elements in numerous industrial processes. Potash and salt are integral nutrients for the megatrend of a constantly growing and increasingly prosperous global population striving for a higher standard of living. This will result in increasing consumption of mineral resources. We serve the resulting growth in demand from production sites in Europe, North America and South America as well as through a global distribution network. K+S is the world’s largest salt producer and one of the top potash providers worldwide. With more than 14,000 employees, K+S achieved revenues in financial year 2015 of about € 4.2 billion and an EBIT of € 782 million. Learn more about K+S at www.k-plus-s.com.

About the Legacy Project

K+S is putting its more than one hundred years of mining experience and world-class expertise to work on the Legacy Project, a potash solution mine and production facility being built near Moose Jaw. It will be the first new greenfield potash mine built in Saskatchewan in over forty years. Commissioning is targeted for the summer of 2016. K+S projects it will reach two-million-tonnes of production capacity by the end of 2017. The Legacy Project will mean new job opportunities for Saskatchewan workers, and new business opportunities for Saskatchewan companies supplying goods and services to this major economic development. K+S is growing Saskatchewan, while providing the potash that is needed to help feed a growing world population. More information at www.ks-potashcanada.com.

Your contact person:

Maeghan Dubois
Sr. Communications Specialist
K+S Potash Canada                                      
Phone: (306) 371-0122                                       
Email: maeghan.dubois@ks-potashcanada.com