BHP submits Canada Jansen potash project for regulator approval

17 December 2010 20:47  [Source: ICIS news]

TORONTO (ICIS)--BHP Billiton on Friday submitted an environmental impact statement (EIS) for its proposed 8m tonne/year Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan to the province’s environment ministry, the mining giant said.

BHP said Jansen could, if developed, become the world’s largest potash mine.

BHP’s EIS showed how the company had designed Jansen to maximise socio-economic opportunities while minimising environmental effects, it added.

“We believe the Jansen project is a wonderful opportunity for BHP Billiton and Saskatchewan,” said Graham Kerr, president of BHP Billiton Diamonds and Specialty Products.

“Jansen is a world-class ore body and the project fits our strategy of owning and operating large, long-life, low-cost assets. Jansen is the first and the most advanced of our potash growth options,” he added.

The company said earlier it had invested more than $400m (€304m) to develop the mine, which could start producing its first ore towards the end of 2014.

Last month, Canada’s industry ministry blocked BHP’s bid to acquire PotashCorp, the world’s largest fertilizer producer, in a $39bn hostile takeover.

($1 = €0.76)

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