Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM) officially commissioned the province's first ever potash mine.
The 250 thousand tonnes mine is located at Harrowby (16 kilometres west of Russell).
Premier Heather Stefanson and Economic Development and Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton were among those on hand for Friday's event and tour.
Stefanson says as part of our government’s commitment to position Manitoba as a global leader in sustainable mineral development, we have been working co-operatively with PADCOM to support this landmark project.
"PADCOM has been persistent in their efforts to develop this resource for the benefit of the region and the province and it is wonderful to see all of that hard work finally pay off. In addition to the economic and social benefits, it is important to note that the selective solution mining technique that this mind will utilize is environmentally friendly technology."
The news release says the site uses an innovative selective solution mining process, which involves injecting heated brine into the ground to dissolve potash and then extract the solution. The unique, low-disturbance process has a smaller environmental footprint than the traditional room and pillar method.
"The mine will be a carbon-neutral facility," Stefanson noted, "adding its use of green Manitoba Hydro energy, will soon make the PADCOM facility the lowest carbon-emitting potash mine in the world."
PADCOM's President Daymon Gillis says the 16-year vision was truly a joint effort.
"It's 100% locally owned. We are 25% Indigenous-owned and or profit-sharing. Indigenous and Metis Federation, so 25% ownership and profit sharing."
PADCOM invested more than $12 million for the project, of which Gambler First Nation is a 20 per cent equity partner.
Chief David LeDoux says Gambler First Nation is pleased to be an active partner on this project,
"PADCOM’s approach to this development respects the land, the environment, and the people in our region."
The mine uses a selective solution mining process which involves injecting a brine solution into the ground to dissolve the potash, leaving the salt as is and bringing the potash back to the surface.
Gillis says there's still lots to do going forward.
"What's next for PADCOM, boiler, dryer centrifuge. Build the rail spur and start shipping potash to Canada and the United States. Build our vessel loading facilities at Churchill and start shipping to our European partners, customers and down to Brazil. But the spur line, the ownership of the rail cars the vessel loading facility at Churchill and Port Nelson will be in partnership with Gambler First Nation and other Indigenous and Metis that want to be involved. It's about profit sharing."
On Friday, PADCOM also committed to sharing 11 per cent of net profits with local First Nations, Manitoba Métis Federation, and other local governments.