General Delivery, Allan, Saskatchewan S0K 0C0 | (306) 257-3312
Stewart Brown, General Manager | E-mail Stewart

Operations

Allan mines potash at a depth of 1,040 meters (3,400 feet), producing granular, standard and industrial grade for agricultural and industrial use. Its annual capacity is 1.9 million tonnes KCl.

Significant Events

The site had to deal with several inventory adjustment shutdowns due to market conditions in the first half of 2006.

It was able to set new production records while making significant equipment changes in the mill related to the debottlenecking project begun in 2005 to bring back 400,000 tonnes of idled capacity. Allan reduced its recordable injury rate from 8.77 in 2005 to 3.80 in 2006, 55 percent of the five-year average.

Community Relations

Councillors and administrators from the Rural Municipality of Blucher and the Town of Allan were invited to the plant for site tours. They were updated on operations, including progress on the debottlenecking project. Two formal meetings were held with municipal representatives and one with the Town of Allan. In addition to the debottlenecking project, a proposed fine tailings management area project and subsidence due to mining were discussed.

A media tour was held to give local journalists a better understanding of the potash industry. Presentations on potash mining were made to students in Allan School, including information on career opportunities for graduates.

Meetings with officials in the Saskatchewan Department of Labour and Saskatchewan Environment involved discussions on a wide range of issues, including a contractor lost-time accident, smoking on site, high brine pond levels, Saskatchewan Potash Producer Association research initiatives, planning for the fine tailings management area, and environmental concerns raised by local residents.

Community Donations

Cash donations to local community organizations in 2006 totaled Cdn $10,000. The main recipients were the Allan Curling Club, Ducks Unlimited, Allan School, Colonsay Swimming Pool and Community Safety Net.

In 2006, in-kind contributions to local community organizations totaled Cdn $6,000. Beneficiaries included the Food Bank and Community Shelters, various community recreation centers and sporting clubs, and the Bradwell Fire Department.

Awards

The site shared the Campaign Chair's Choice Award for the best overall performance by a workplace campaign for the 2006 campaign of the United Way of Saskatoon and Area.

Environmental and Energy Initiatives

Allan sets an annual goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The 2006 goal of 0.0555 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of production was not achieved due to inefficiencies from unplanned production shutdowns during the year as a result of market uncertainties.

The site reduced its natural gas usage by eliminating one step of the drying process, increasing its efficiency while producing the same quality potash product.

Local Procurement

The value of goods, materials and services purchased locally in 2006 (excluding raw materials and energy) was Cdn $20.9 million, representing 81 percent of total procurement.