| | 
|
Click here to see our history
We are the largest producer of muriate of potash (MOP, or potassium chloride)
in the U.S. and are dedicated to the production and marketing of potash
and langbeinite (sulfate of potash magnesia), another mineral containing
potassium. Potassium is one of the three nutrients essential to plant formation
and growth. Since 2004, we have supplied, on average, 1.5% of world potash
consumption and 8.5% of U.S. consumption annually, and we have supplied
a considerably higher proportion of the potash consumed in the southwestern
and western U.S., our core markets. We are one of two exporting producers
in the world of langbeinite, a low-chloride fertilizer that is better suited
than MOP for chloride-sensitive crops. We also produce salt, magnesium chloride
and metal recovery salts from our potash mining processes. We own five active
potash production facilities—three in New Mexico and two in Utah—and
we have the nameplate capacity to produce 1,200,000 tons of potash and 250,000
tons of langbeinite annually.
We own two development assets in New Mexico—the HB Mine, which is
an idled potash mine that we are in the process of reopening as a solution
mine, and the North Mine. We expect that the expansion opportunities at
our operating facilities and the HB Mine will increase production by an
aggregate of over 370,000 tons of potash and langbeinite annually over the
next five to seven years.
Our principal assets include:
- Two conventional, underground potash mines in Carlsbad, New Mexico—the
West Mine and the East Mine—and the North Facility compaction plant.
The West Mine has the nameplate capacity to produce 510,000 tons of potash
annually. Potash from our West Mine is processed at our North Facility compaction
plant. The East Mine produces two products, with the nameplate capacity
to produce 390,000 tons of potash and 250,000 tons of langbeinite annually.
The East Mine mill is a dual potash and langbeinite facility that uses a
first-of-its-kind milling process.
- Two potash facilities in Utah—the Moab Mine and the Wendover
Facility. The Moab Mine uses solution mining methods to extract potash and
has the nameplate capacity to produce 180,000 tons of potash annually. The
Wendover Facility collects potash from natural brines and has the nameplate
capacity to produce 120,000 tons of potash annually. Both of these facilities
use low-cost solar evaporation to recover potash.
- Two development assets in Carlsbad, New Mexico—the HB Mine
and the North Mine. The HB Mine is an idled potash mine that we are in the
process of reopening as a solution mine. We expect to commence Phase I of
the project in 2008, with production beginning in 2009. We believe Phase
I has the potential to ultimately add up to 150,000 to 200,000 tons of additional
low-cost potash production annually by 2011. The North Mine is another idled
underground potash mine that we may choose to reopen in the future and that
already has in place mine shafts and much of the transportation and utility
infrastructure required for operation.
|
Products
