As the eastern neighbour to Saskatchewan, the world’s leading potash producer, Manitoba has officially entered the potash mining business. For those who do not know of the Potash and Agri-Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM), the company has taken a big step in putting Manitoba on the map for potash.
The PADCOM mine is set to begin production this spring at the Russell Harrowby Deposit. It will have taken PADCOM 15 years to become a potash producer by spring 2023. The project’s success has resulted from the strong support of investors, key stakeholders, a diligent operations & management team, and the Government of Manitoba.
“Our operations manager and engineers have worked very strenuously to get the mine up and running toward our production goals. I’m extremely happy with the progress being made,” says Daymon Guillas, president of PADCOM.
As the company gets closer to its goals, there are intensifying operations around PADCOM’s Manitoba potash mine that have the company working on multiple fronts, including final construction at the mine site itself, ongoing technical and administrative work in Russell, and an effort to boost its profile in the community as it settles in for decades to come.
“Manitoba, historically, has never had a potash mine, so that alone is quite important in the province’s development and locally, even more so, a project of that size,” says Guillas.
The company was formed to advance rural development opportunities in Western Manitoba, specifically to develop a potash mine at the Russell Harrowby deposit.
“As a member of the neighbouring community, I realized years back that there needs to be more money put into the local economy and better rural community development. This is where PADCOM comes in. I think it’ll be a great local advantage.”
Emphasis on diversity and community ties into the company’s ambitious plans in its overall operations. PADCOM has developed a partnership with the Gambler First Nation, which have a 20 per cent equity stake in the project. Additionally, PADCOM will present community benefits agreements to several Indigenous communities in the area, Gambler First Nation, Birdtail Sioux First Nation, Waywayseecappo First Nation, Treat 2 Territory, the Manitoba Métis Federation, and the Municipality of Russell-Binscarth.
In addition to its partnerships, PADCOM also pushes for a more environmentally efficient forefront.
“This operation will use a more environmentally friendly mining process,” said Guillas. “The physical footprint is small, and the process will use green energy.”
Using a sustainable process, the production capacity of the potash mine is estimated to be 250,000 tonnes per year. The potash would be processed right on-site at the potash processing facility.
Guillas and the rest of the PADCOM team look forward to completing the assembly and operating the mine for many years to come.
To find out more about PADCOM and its mine, please visit manitobapotash.ca.
