Mosaic’s Esterhazy mine is the world’s largest potash mine, currently producing 5.3 million metric tonnes per year (Mtpy)
with plans to increase capacity to 7.1 Mtpy by 2017. It has been in operation since 1961. The site, which consists of the
K1 and K2 mine sites, 15 km apart, is located close to Esterhazy, Saskatchewan.
The K1 expansion will increase
production capacity from 2.5 Mtpy to 2.7 Mtpy. The K2 expansion will increase production from 2.6 Mtpy to 3.4 Mtpy by
2012, and to 4.3 Mtpy by 2020.
Mosaic’s Esterhazy K1 expansion project consists of capacity increase in the existing crushing and screening area of the
plant. Following a conceptual study and prefeasibility performed by Hatch, the Esterhazy K1 expansion is currently in
construction.
The Esterhazy K2 expansion project will see the addition of a third independent circuit to the mill wet side as well as
corresponding additions and upgrades to the mill dry side equipment, including the addition of a fourth compaction
circuit. Hatch has successfully completed the prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and is now providing full EPCM services
to complete this expansion. This phase of the project is scheduled for completion in 2012.
- Brownfield, work was completed in a brownfield environment
- Work has been mainly conducted in the Montréal and Mississauga offices for K1 and K2, with local support from the
office in Saskatoon and a site-based team
