Name of the Project
Wynyard carnalite project.

Location
Saskatchewan, Canada.

Client
Karnalyte Resources and India-listed agribusiness firm Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals (GSFC) made a strategic investment of about $44.7-million in Karnalyte in 2013, resulting in GSFC holding a 19.98% ownership stake in Karnalyte. The strategic partnership between Karnalyte and GSFC provides Karnalyte with a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace, and is expected to provide GSFC with a secure supply of potash for years to come.

Project Description
The project proposes the construction of a solution mining facility at Wynyard, Saskatchewan, to produce a high-grade (97% purity) granular potash product.

Karnalyte intends to build the facility in three phases, with Phase 1 expected to produce an estimated 625 000 t/y, increasing by 750 000 t/y in Phase 2, and totalling 2.125-million tonnes a year with the addition of Phase 3.

Jobs to be Created
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Karnalyte has successfully commissioned the second phase of its brine production phase optimisation programme at its Wynyard potash mine.

Commissioning of the project was completed during the last week of August and Karnalyte has started to operate the test cavern at design conditions. 

The primary objective of the optimisation programme is to test and achieve a higher than 9.3% potash concentration, as set out in Karnalyte's feasibility study, which is 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 until the end of October, with a final report on the optimisation programme expected to be issued by December.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Karnalyte Resources, tel +1 306 986 1486 or email info@karnalyte.com.