Karnalyte completes Phase 2 optimisation at Wynward

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.