A view of the solar evaporation ponds at the Moab, Utah Intrepid Potash facilities, operating since 1972

Solution mining is a proven, effective and safe mining technique that maximizes recovery of a potash deposit. It has been used in the U.S. and around the world for decades. In this case, it would allow Intrepid to safely and economically recover potash left in place from conventional underground mining in the HB Project area.

The first phase of a potash mining operation typically removes potash deposits with a combination of machines and human labor. The mining of the potash deposit results in open underground works that are held up by pillars (or columns) of salt, potash, and other minerals. Solution mining aims to extract the remaining potash left behind in the pillars and mine walls.

Solution mining involves using pumps to inject a salt water or “brine” into the existing cavern. Salt saturated brine is used so only the potash is dissolved and extracted from the existing pillars and surrounding walls. The existing salt is left largely undisturbed in the underground mining works, which will reduce potential surface disturbance and prevent the creation of sink holes.

Once the brine is enriched with potash, the brine is pumped out of the cavern through extraction wells and then pipelines are used to transport and deposit the saturated water into lined solar evaporation ponds on Intrepid’s property. Nature then takes its course by evaporating the water and leaving behind salt and potash on top of the 18-inch protective hardened salt layer above the plastic liner.

The precipitated salt and potash is then removed from the pond and transported to a processing facility – called a flotation plant – where the potash is separated from the salt and refined for sale.

Please visit the Solution Mining Overview page for a breakdown of the three main steps in solution mining.