Celebrating the past, growing our future
Although Nutrien is a new name, the company has contributed to the lives of Saskatchewan residents for over six decades.
The province possesses some of the world’s largest potash deposits in the world and in 1958, Nutrien’s Patience Lake mine made history as the first potash producer in Canada.
The location also pioneered some of the methods used in the new and growing potash mining industry in Saskatchewan, and paved the way for other mines to develop safe and effective best practices. Patience Lake was the first mine to use the ground freezing method during shaft sinking to allow quick access to the potash beds.
After about 30 years of mining, the site came up with an innovative and cuttingedge alternative to conventional mining and converted the operation to a solution potash mine due to water inflow. In this method, heated water is pumped underground and the resulting brine solution is brought up to the surface for processing to recover the potash. The Patience Lake mine has continued to safely and efficiently extract potash in this manner since 1987.
Patience Lake’s white granular potash goes primarily to the United States, where customers use white over red potash to differentiate themselves in their local market. The potash is used mainly for dry application, or melted down and used in liquid fertilizers or in fertigation.
“The Patience Lake employees and I are honoured to be part of Saskatchewan’s history as we celebrate our 60th anniversary,” says Rob King, General Superintendent of the facility. “We’re proud to still be contributing to our home province in this unique way, even after all these years.”
Nutrien’s Allan, Cory and Lanigan potash mines are also celebrating significant anniversaries this year. The three locations have been operating for 50 years.
“We are very proud of our Saskatchewan roots and these anniversaries offer an opportunity to reflect on our rich history, accomplishments and key learnings,” says Susan Jones, Nutrien Executive Vice President and President, Potash. “We also look forward to continuing to grow our business and supporting the vibrant communities in our province.”
GROWING RESPONSIBLY FOR A BETTER WORLD
From those humble beginnings in 1958, Nutrien has become the world’s largest potash producer with over 18 million tonnes of operational capacity at its six mines in Saskatchewan. With decades of highquality reserves, the company is well positioned to meet the world’s long-term potash needs.
Nutrien is a major contributor to the entire Saskatchewan economy. As the largest private-sector employer in the province, the organization has over 4,000 employees at six potash mines, more than 120 retail locations, and offices.
In addition, the company helps cultivate Saskatchewan’s culture and communities, donating more than $4.5 million to about 200 different organizations in the province since the beginning of the year, supporting health, education, culture and food solutions.
FEEDING THE FUTURE
Nutrien is up for the challenge of helping to sustainably feed almost 10 billion people around the globe by the year 2050.
“We have a real opportunity to shape and advance the agricultural industry; to leave a strong and positive legacy on how food is grown in Canada and around the world,” Jones says. “As we reflect on the innovative thinkers of the past, we’re confident about our safe and effective approach for the future.”
Together with more than 20,000 employees across 14 countries, Nutrien is as committed to growing our world from the ground up as we were in 1958.
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