https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Karnalyte completes Phase 2 optimisation at Wynward

7th September 2016

By: Samantha Herbst

Creamer Media Deputy Editor

  

Font size: - +

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Potash project developer Karnalyte Resources has successfully commissioned the second phase of its Brine Production Phase optimisation programme at the company's Wynyard potash mine, in Saskatchewan.

Karnalyte president Robin Phinney commented on Tuesday that the company had completed commissioning during the last week of August and that Karnalyte had now begun to operate the test cavern at design conditions. 

"The optimisation programme is a critical step in the development of the company's Wynyard potash project [and] we believe it has the potential to make the already compelling economics of our project even stronger," he said.

The primary objective of the optimisation programme is to test and achieve a higher potash concentration than 9.3%, as set out in Karnalyte's feasibility study, which was based on laboratory dissolution tests and computer modelling.

Karnalyte expects that any increase in potash concentration could significantly reduce projected operating costs and enhance project economics for its planned 625 000 t/y potash production facility.

The Brine Production Phase optimisation programme involves a hot leaching process to produce a concentrated potash brine solution. This is accomplished by injecting heated source water from the 500-m-deep Blairmore formation into the production cavern in the 950-m-deep Belle Plaine formation.

The concentrated potash brine solution is then brought to surface and analysed for potash concentration levels in laboratory facilities at the Saskatchewan Research Council. All brine generated from the optimisation programme is disposed of in the company's 1 500-m-deep disposal well.

Karnalyte expects the Brine Production Phase to run for about two months until the end of October, with a final report on the optimisation programme expected to be issued by December.
 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

Showroom

Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Universal Storage Systems (SA)
Universal Storage Systems (SA)

South African leader in Steel -Racking, -Shelving, and -Mezzanine flooring. Universal has innovated an approach which encompasses conceptualising,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.084 0.134s - 156pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now