Wastes Produced by Phosphate Division and Geismar
Phosphogypsum (gypsum) is a byproduct of phosphoric acid production, and White Springs, Geismar and Aurora have above-ground gypsum stacks. In a unique reclamation process, Aurora blends gypsum with clay, returning the blend directly to the mined–out areas and negating the need to build new gypsum stacks.
Wastes Produced by Potash Division
The predominant waste product of potash production is common salt tailings that are contained in managed above–ground storage areas. The exception is the New Brunswick operation, which, by taking advantage of its geology, returns all salt tailings to mined areas underground.
Wastes Produced by Nitrogen Division
Nitrogen operations produce no significant volumes of solid wastes.
PROCESS SOLID WASTES |
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| (000 tonnes) | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| Gypsum | 9,312 | 10,154 | 10,549 | 10,727 | 11,696 |
| Waste Salt to Storage | 7,593 | 8,581 | 10,516 | 6,637 | 9,692 |
| Clay Waste (fine tailings) | 639 | 812 | 896 | 647 | 859 |
| Waste Salt and Clay to Mine | 1,659 | 1,820 | 1,639 | 1,710 | 1,937 |
| Salt as Brine Injection Well | 3,085 | 3,580 | 3,608 | 3,941 | 3,958 |
| Source: PotashCorp | |||||
Hazardous Wastes
Hazardous waste disposal in 2007 was significantly higher than in 2006 due to increased volumes of waste from expansions and refurbishments at potash facilities.
Non-Process Wastes
Non–process wastes from PotashCorp facilities include paper, oil, batteries, spent catalysts, paint, printer cartridges, light bulbs and many other materials. About 14 percent of the non-process waste was recycled in 2007. Disposal procedures are based on US or Canadian regulations. There was a large increase in non–process waste in 2007 due to the expansions and refurbishments at the potash facilities.
NON–PROCESS WASTES |
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| (000 tonnes) | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| Solid Waste Disposed of Off–Site | 6.6 | 8.5 | 9.1 | 6.9 | 8.8 |
| Solid Waste Disposed of On–Site | 4.8 | 3.5 | 18.3 | 7.4 | 28.6 |
| Solid Waste Recycled | 2.9 | 2.9 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
| Hazardous Waste Disposal | 0.32 | 0.44 | 0.80 | 0.27 | 0.68 |
| Source: PotashCorp | |||||