Potash is a mineral that is found deep beneath the earth's crust, and is a rich source of potassium that is eventually used in many forms of fertilizer. Potash deposits were left behind when ancient seas and oceans dried up, and the potash that is used for fertilizer is a crucial ingredient, as it can't be replaced with anything else. Commercial mining of potash is accomplished by traditional underground mining or through a process called solution mining, depending on how deep the potash is deposited. The problem with the conventional type of mining is that it has a depth limitation, which is why solution mining is utilized for deeper potash deposits. But what is potash solution mining?
Once it has been determined that solution mining is going to be used to access the potash deposit, the appropriate machinery must be brought in. The first step in the solution mining process is to access the potash reserve. Many times, the access to the potash is gained through one of the older conventional potash mines, where the mine pit is being held up by pillars made of potash. Any potash that remains in the pillars or within the mine walls can be extracted with the solution mining process. Otherwise, holes are drilled to access the sedimentary rock that contains the deposits of potash.
After the reserves of potash have been accessed, saltwater must be injected into the potash bearing rock feeder, regardless of whether the potash was accessed through a cavern or a drill hole. A brine that is saturated with salt is essential so just the potash is removed from the pillars and walls. The salt that already existed in the mine is usually left undisturbed during the process, which helps to prevent the formation of sink holes and reduces any disturbances up above the surface. After the brine has been enriched with potash, it is pumped from the cavern, often into lined, solar evaporation ponds. Once the water evaporates from these ponds, what's left is salt and potash. This mixture is then removed and shipped to a processing facility where the potash is removed from the salt and refined so it can be sold.
With solution mining, several of the up-front costs are lower than with traditional mining. The overall costs of potash solution mining are tied to the cost of drilling and the amount of potash that comes out of the mine. Improvements in the solution mining process enable extraction in flooded caverns or use different drilling methods that are more efficient.
Mining companies will continue to refine the mining process for potash, as it is a profitable mineral that has global demand. Some people may wonder, what is potash, but anyone who grows crops and relies on fertilizer to keep their plants healthy will know its effects. Without potash, fewer crops would be healthy and fewer people would reap the benefits of the crops. Solution mining is one way to get the potash that is so vitally needed to feed plants around the world.
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What is potash? Learn how potash-based fertilizers can help solve the world's food crisis.
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