Almost all big North American potash projects in Sask.: report

If there's any doubt Saskatchewan dominates potash production in North America, a new report notes than nine out of 10 of the continent's biggest potash projects are in the Canadian province.

The research company Industrial Info Resources says it is tracking 27 active potash projects in North America worth $34.34 billion.

Saskatchewan alone has 17 projects in the works that are worth a total of $30.7 billion.

Looking at the top 10 projects by value, only one is in a place other than Saskatchewan. That's the $1.9-billion mine being built by Passport Potash at Holbrook, Arizona.

The nine Saskatchewan projects, in order of magnitude, are:

• 1. $3.7 billion: K+S Potash is building its Legacy mine near Bethune.
• 2. $3.5 billion: Vale is continuing with feasibility studies for a mine in Kronau.
• 3. $3.3 billion: Western Potash Corp. is looking for financing for a mine near Milestone.
• 4. $3 billion: North Atlantic Potash and Rio Tinto are studying a plan to have a mine near Southey.
• 5. $3 billion: Yancoal Canada Resources is also looking at a mine near Southey and has a feasibility study underway.
• 6. $2.8 billion: PotashCorp is expanding its underground mine at Rocanville.
• 7. $2.6 billion: BHP Billiton is building a mine and mill near Jansen Lake that's part of a three-year, $16-billion project.
• 8. $2.5 billion: Encanto Potash is working with the Muskowekwan First Nation on a mine near Lestock that would produce 2.8 million tonnes per year.
• 9. $1.5 billion: Mosaic Company has a project underway near Esterhazy with completion set for the end of 2016.

Figures are given in U.S. dollars.

MAP: Saskatchewan's 9 biggest potashprojects