Feeding the world, one potash mine at a time featuring the Nutrien mine at Allan as we present an inside look at potash mining in Saskatchewan.

Nutrien’s Allan potash mine is 45 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon and sits on over 34-hundred hectares of land. First opened in 1964 the mine has gone from producing a million tonnes of potash a year to three million and general manager Les Frehlick says technology that now includes laser guided tools and more efficient equipment has made that increase in production possible. But he says it also has made mining safer.

“Oh yeah technology advancements enabled that safety culture especially with the latest with our tele remote technology really the whole purpose around that, partially automating our bores, so that we can get people away from the face, away from the hazard. And technology has enabled that. ”

Using computers, miners are now able to perform operations on the huge machines while maintaining a safe distance. In the future Frehlick sees the Allan mine driving technology and driving improving safety and continue to mine our lease. He says, “We’ve got another 50-plus years of mining here at Allan.”

Underground, the mine currently stretches nearly 21 kilometres north and south and 15 kilometres east to west.