Gensource Potash of Saskatoon says it has received the Ministerial determination of, “not a development”, from the province for its Vanguard One project. It means the potash mine can move to the next stage of the environmental regulatory process which is construction licensing. Gensource says it anticipated the determination because Vanguard One is radically different from traditional potash projects. It will have no salt tailings, and no brine ponds. The company says that means it will be a cleaner source of potash production. Gensource says the Government of Saskatchewan confirmed to the company that the project is unlikely to cause significant adverse residual effects on the environment. The company says the mine will also have reduced water consumption, and reduced impact on utilities and local infrastructure.
The project is designed to produce 250,000 tonnes per year of potash which is about 1/10th the annual production of a typical potash mine in Saskatchewan. The mine location is about 170 km south of Saskatoon.