SASKATOON – The Jansen potash mine reached a significant milestone in August with the safe completion and installation of its new production headframe, says BHP.
Standing over 50 metres tall — about the height of a 16-storey building — and weighing approximately 2,000 tonnes, BHP says in a release issued Wednesday that this structure is a testament to Canadian engineering and collaboration.
BHP say the majority of the steel was fabricated in Canada by Walters Steel in southern Ontario and SaskArc in Oxbow, before being shipped to the Jansen site. The installation involved collaboration between BHP and its partners, Hatch, Bantrel, Ledcor and Mammoet and a total team of over 600 people.
The new production headframe replaces the temporary “sinking headframe” built in 2012, which supported initial shaft sinking and lining operations, but was not designed for the demands of full-scale production. The design of the production headframe supports both efficiency and safety, says BHP. It features an internal stair tower and permanent elevator system, allowing safe and convenient access to different levels.
“The new production headframe gets us ready for critical structural and operational activities,” says Karina Gistelinck, BHP asset president potash.
“Jansen is on the path to deliver Canadian potash to the world, and this is one of the largest structural achievements since the project began. Huge kudos to the incredible teams at Jansen for the precision, collaboration, and care they bring, every step of the way.”
With the production headframe in place, Jansen is advancing towards anticipated delivery of first production in mid-2027. Over the coming months, the team will finalize the configuration, install ropes, and commission hoisting systems, BHP said Wednesday.
In July, BHP Group Ltd. said the cost of the first phase of its Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan is going to be more expensive than earlier expectations.
The miner now estimates the project cost will be in a range of US$7 billion to US$7.4 billion, up from an earlier estimate of US$5.7 billion.
The company is also pushing back its estimate for first production from the mine to mid-2027 from earlier expectations for the end of 2026.
BHP blamed the increased costs on inflationary pressures, design development and scope changes and lower-than-expected productivity.
- with files from The Canadian Press
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