Potash

Written by Catherine
Everyone checking out their ore samples
Everyone checking out their ore samples

Thursday I traveled to Lannigan, Saskatchewan to visit a potash mine. Originally this trip was meant to happen in March, but there was a fatality the week before our scheduled visit and the worksite was understandably not up for it.

The above-ground buildings. Like transformers, there's more than meets the eye
The above-ground buildings. Like transformers, there’s more than meets the eye

It was an early morning with a long drive, but it was a nice day and it was really great to see the machinery and processes underground and in the mill. We saw everything from digging it up to processing to loading it onto the train.
Underground close to the bore. The spots and blurriness are from tiny salty dust bits floating in the air
Underground close to the bore. The spots and blurriness are from tiny salty dust bits floating in the air

These are the cap lanterns. Each wporker has their own and is responsible for keeping it charged and maintained.
These are the cap lanterns. Each worker has their own and is responsible for keeping it charged and maintained.

Each worker has a tag that shows whether they are in the mine or on the surface, and everyone needs to chick in and out. This helps make sure no one is lost and focuses rescue efforts when needed.
Each worker has a tag that shows whether they are in the mine or on the surface, and everyone needs to chick in and out. This helps make sure no one is lost and focuses rescue efforts when needed.

Some happy OH&S students on the surface trying on their PPE
Some happy OH&S students on the surface trying on their PPE
Safety-relaxing before heading down
Safety-relaxing before heading down
This is the warehouse with a MASSIVE stockpile of potash granules.
This is the warehouse with a MASSIVE stockpile of potash granules.