BHP, which owns the Jansen potash project about 160 kilometres East of Saskatoon, its potash projects are tracking to plan.

The international mining giant’s report for the first half of its fiscal year which ended December 31st says the interim dividend is $1.50 U.S. per share, bringing total shareholder returns to more than $22-billion over the past 18 months.

The Jansen shaft project is 98 per cent complete and the Jansen Stage 1 project has begun the work of awarding contracts.

The Stage 1 project, which was approved in August, includes the design, engineering and construction of an underground potash mine and surface infrastructure.

Capital expenditure at the shaft project is $2.97-billion U.S. and for the Stage 1 project, it’s $5.7-billion U.S.