Box 509, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3L9 | (306) 667-4300
Gary Phillips, General Manager | E-mail Gary

Operations

Originally a conventional underground operation, Patience Lake was converted to a solution mining operation in 1988 after two periods of closure due to flooding. Solution mining dissolves the potash from the ore by circulating brine through the flooded conventional mine workings 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) below the surface. Patience Lake produces white standard, lawn and garden, and granular-grade potash for agriculture. Its annual capacity is 1.0 million tons KCl.

Significant Achievements

Patience Lake started recommissioning the deep disposal well in 2006.

It reached two years free of lost-time injuries in December.

For the second consecutive year, it had no product complaints.

Community Relations

Six meetings were held with Saskatchewan Environment officials to discuss the rising lake water level due to above-normal precipitation. Local residents were updated regularly.

Community Donations

Cash donations to local community organizations in 2006 totaled Cdn $8,500, with Clavet community, Reflections of Nature, Ducks Unlimited, Aberdeen Recreation Complex and the Village of Bradwell the top recipients.

Environmental Initiatives

The installation in 2005 of a baghouse dust collection system, which filters the potash dust from the dryer and puts it back into the mill process, has reduced dust emissions by 98 percent and decreased water usage.

Energy Initiatives

In addition to vastly improving air emissions, the baghouse dust collection system allows the plant to operate the drying circuit more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption per tonne of product.

Awards

In 2006, the mine's emergency response team won the surface category of the Saskatchewan Emergency Response and Mine Rescue Competition for the second consecutive year.

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.

It received the Saskatchewan Mining Association Safety Award for a zero competition rating, which reflects rates of lost-time frequency and lost-time injury severity.

Local Procurement

The value of goods, materials and services purchased locally in 2006 (excluding raw materials and energy) was Cdn $3.7 million, 60 percent of total procurement.