Toronto-IC Potash Inc. on March 21 announced successful metallurgical testing results from Hazen Laboratories Inc. These tests concluded liquor concentrations averaging 10.4 grams of sulfate of potash (SOP) per 100 grams of water, with recovery rates of up to 91 percent SOP, can be produced. The Hazen leaching procedures produced SOP concentrations consistent with previous work carried out by the U.S. Bureau of Mines during the 1930s and pilot studies by Potash Corp. of America during the 1950s. “These results are very encouraging as they confirm the work done by the Bureau of Mines, which forms the basis of our processes,” said Randy Foote, ICP chief operating officer. “These recent findings also closely match earlier results on the first metallurgical tests performed. This indicates that the processes are simple, predictable, and robust.” “It is our expectation that further detailed testing will continue to confirm historical work,” said Sidney Himmel, ICP president and CEO. “These independent results are in line with management expectations, and represent a major milestone for our company.” ICP intends to become a primary producer of SOP by mining its 100-percent-owned potash Ochoa property in New Mexico. ICP’s Ochoa property consists of over 100,000 acres of federal subsurface potassium prospecting permits and State of New Mexico potassium mining leases.
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