Seagraves, Texas-An Agriliance LLC employee was assaulted in the early morning hours March 25 at the company warehouse here. He died later in the day at a Lubbock, Texas, hospital. Robert Bryant, 54, was a long-time employee of the location, working as a fertilizer plant operator and truck driver. Agriliance said April 3 that an investigation by Seagraves law enforcement and the Texas Rangers continues, and the company is fully cooperating to enable a full and complete investigation. Speculation was that Bryant, the first to arrive at work, may have surprised a burglar. His own wallet and money were reportedly not taken.
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OSHA cites Howard facility for 23 violations
Tampa-Officials at Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Co.’s Groveland facility want it known that they’re not running an unsafe plant, despite facing 23 violations along with $236,000 in penalty fines imposed by OSHA. Howard spokesman Michael Brooks declined to talk about the specifics of the OSHA charges because “we are going into negotiations and as in the past have not commented on on-going investigations.” But Brooks insisted that “despite what is being said we have spent sizeable chunks of money on equipment and facilities to protect our employees. With all the things that are going on and all the moving parts, we watch everything very carefully and we care.” OSHA’s Tampa branch announced that an inspection at Groveland resulted in $138,000 in safety penalties, $72,000 in repeat violations, and $26,000 in equipment and structural maintenance fees. OSHA officials said the violations involved not installing railings on open-sided catwalks, failing to provide machine guards on equipment, exposing employees to vulnerable electrical hazards, and failing to keep up maintenance on catwalks and electrical equipment, among other violations. “This company is putting its employees’ lives at risk by failing to correct serious safety hazards and to educate its employees about these hazards,” said Les Grove, OSHA’s Tampa area director.
Agrifos satisfied with EPA order
Dallas-Agrifos Fertilizer Inc. officials say they are satisfied with the outcome of long-term negotiations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the operation and closure of the phosphogypsum stacks and wastewater treatment at Agrifos’s Pasadena, Tex., facility, which processes phosphate rock into ammonium phosphate, DAP, and MAP, and also produces super phosphoric acid, primarily for use in the southwest and western states. “We’re satisfied with the results and are looking forward to accomplishing all directives in the order,” Agrifos spokesman Steve Pierce told Green Markets. EPA announced late last month (GM March 31, p. 12) that an administrative order on consent had been issued to Agrifos and ExxonMobil Oil Corp., which as Mobil Corp. constructed and operated the facility from 1960 until 1998, when it was purchased by Agrifos. According to EPA, the order stems from an August 2007 incident in which heavy rainfall on top of excessive amounts of acidic wastewater caused the failure of a portion of the phosphogypsum impoundments and the release of approximately 54 million gallons between Aug. 16 and Sept. 7 that year. Wastewater flowed into a county drainage ditch and then into the Houston Ship Channel, and at least one fish kill was reported in the bayou. The EPA order requires Agrifos and ExxonMobil to promptly take steps to complete side slope closure of the gypsum stacks over the next two years and develop a corrective action plan to address soil and groundwater contamination. Agrifos and ExxonMobil will also build a new wastewater treatment plant to treat wastewater and dispose of acidic wastewater using the deep injection well at the facility. The order also requires Agrifos and ExxonMobil to demonstrate, through modeling, a five-year plan for managing water balance during closure activities at the site.
GSLM expansion no threat to lake wildlife
Overland Park, Kan.-Compass Minerals insists that despite news coverage there is nothing in current data that indicates plans for expanding solar evaporation ponds on the Great Salt Lake in Utah by its Great Salt Lake Minerals Corp. would endanger the lake’s wildlife. “Our proposed expansion requires a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which will include a comprehensive environmental impact study,” said Compass Minerals. “The Corps’ permit is required because the project involves building dikes in lake waters, not because it threatens wetlands as a recent article in The Salt Lake Tribune asserted. The purpose of the environmental impact study is to determine what impact, if any, the proposed expansion would have on the lake environment. At this time, there is no scientific evidence that the proposed project will have any impact on birds at the Great Salt Lake.” The March 24 front-page Tribune article, headlined “Mining growth irks lake lovers,” focused on concerns of environmental groups that expanding the solar ponds to increase sulfate of potash production would pose a threat to “hundreds, if not thousands” of migrating pintail ducks and snow geese and others that depend on the lake for habitat. Three days later the Tribune editorialized that there needs to be a balance between developing the lake resources and protecting the wetlands that are critical to the birds, and suggested that “perhaps a smaller expansion” would achieve both objectives. Compass Minerals reminded critics that Great Sale Lake Minerals “relies primarily on solar energy to produce organically approved potassium sulfate, and throughout nearly 40 years of operation has adhered to all regulations and operated in an environmentally sound manner. “Our commitment to sustaining the viability of the lake continues to be a guiding principle as we explore expansion plans for our operations,” said GSLM. “Great Salt Lake Minerals Corp. and our more than 300 Ogden-based employees take very seriously our responsibility to the lake and its ecosystems. As we move through the permitting process, we are committed to engaging in a public dialogue regarding the facts and conclusions of the environmental impact study.”
U.N. agency forecasts ample fertilizer supplies
New York City-Don’t worry about the supply of fertilizer in the next five years. At least that’s the report from the United Nations agriculture agency, which concludes there will be plenty to meet world demands and support higher levels of food and biofuel production. “High commodity prices experienced over recent years led to increased production and correspondingly to greater fertilizer use,” Jan Poulisse, a fertilizer expert for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said in announcing the findings of the report. “While it is expected that the demand for basic food crops, fruits and vegetables, for animal products and for biofuel crops is likely to remain strong, we expect fertilizer supply to grow sufficiently to meet higher consumption,” he added, noting that higher fertilizer prices have boosted production. The report estimates that the supply of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash nutrient will increase by some 34 million tons, representing an annual growth rate of 3 percent between the biennia of 2007-2008 and 2011-2012, comfortably sufficient to cover demand growth of 1.9 percent annually. Africa will remain a major phosphate exporter and increase nitrogen exports, while importing all of its potash. Fertilizer consumption on that continent continues to be largely restricted to 10 countries, with the main consumers being Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco. It is expected that North America will continue to be a net importer of nitrogen and that the region will move into an increasing phosphate deficit while remaining a primary supplier of potash. Asia is expected to produce a rapidly increasing surplus of nitrogen, but will continue to import phosphate and potash.
Colorado crash releases 6,000 gal. of liquid nitrogen
Rulison, Colo.-Some 6,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen were spilled when a tanker truck overturned here early April 2. The driver failed to negotiate a turn, sending the truck off the road and into an embankment. Only minor injuries were suffered by the driver, but the Garfield County sheriff’s office reported that a half-mile area surrounding the crash site was evacuated, involving approximately 10 residents. Spokeswoman Tanny McGinnis reported that the evacuation was lifted two hours later and all residents were allowed to return to their homes. The Colorado Highway Patrol reported that except for the truck little was required in the way of a cleanup. CHP spokesman Gilbert Mares told Green Markets that haz-mat teams allowed the spill to dissipate and that follow-up action will not be required because no environmental damage was caused. The owner of the truck was listed as Cudd Energy Services. The driver was cited for a lane violation.
Tulsa touts Terra’s $2 M investment in clear air
Sioux City, Iowa-Terra Nitrogen LP has committed to voluntarily reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from its Verdigris, Okla., facility near Tulsa by approximately 425 st/y. The company will install ultra-low NOx burner technology to an existing ammonia reformer, thereby reducing the unit’s NOx emissions by approximately 60 percent, at a projected cost of $2 million. “Cleaner air is on the horizon for the Tulsa area thanks to efforts of Terra Nitrogen,” states Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor. “We congratulate them for this significant contribution to our air quality. Terra Nitrogen’s significant contribution stands out as a stellar example of stepping up to the plate for community partnership and cleaner air.” Taylor, Terra officials, and other local dignitaries announced the effort in March. The initiative helps Tulsa meet the terms of a recently approved 8-Hour Ozone Flex (8-Hr O3 Flex) agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agreement supports and rewards innovative voluntary local strategies to reduce ground-level ozone, thereby improving air quality and helping comply with federal regulations. It is available only to areas that currently comply with ozone standards.
Migao to construct new sulfuric acid plant
Toronto-Migao Corp., a producer of specialty potash fertilizers for the Chinese market, said April 2 that it will be constructing a 120,000 mt/y sulfuric acid production unit at its Liaoning Migao potassium sulfate facility. Migao uses sulfuric acid in the production of potassium sulfate. With higher sulfuric acid prices, the company said it is compelled to add some 120,000 mt of capacity ?Çô at a cost of $8 million. The construction period is expected to be from May 2008-February 2009. Iron pyrite required to produce sulfuric acid will be sourced locally in Liaoning Province, where long-term supply is assured. Migao currently sources sulfuric acid from domestic Chinese producers. “We anticipate a payback of less than three years as a result of this vertical integration of one of our key raw materials,” said Mr. Liu Guocai, Migao’s CEO. “This project reinforces our desire and ability to secure key raw materials.” Sulfuric acid produced at Liaoning Migao will supply all the needs of potassium sulfate production at both Liaoning Migao and Changchun Migao. Acid not consumed by the two potassium facilities will be sold to local industrial customers.
Martu approve Reward potash exploration
Western Australia-The Martu people of Western Australia have agreed to commercial terms and a term sheet for Reward Minerals Ltd. of Nedlands, Western Australia, to explore for potash at Lake Disappointment, an ephemeral salt lake in a remote area of Western Australia. Reward said the news, which was announced March 31, is even more pivotal in light of increasing global potash prices. It put retail prices at the time in Australia at $825/mt for sulfate of potash and $630/mt for muriate of potash. The company is aiming for an initial output at Lake Disappointment of 200,000 mt/y of SOP.
Bunge, Yara eye Brazilian phosphate deposits
Sao Paulo-Bunge and Yara International ASA have signed a letter of intent with the Brazil’s Santa Catarina state government to mine phosphate. The mining project would be in Anitapolis, around 100 kilometers from the southern city of Florianopolis and would be conducted via a joint venture between the two companies, Industria de Fosfatados Catarinense (IFC). Yara stressed to Green Markets that the project is still only in the feasibility study phase. “The meeting with the authorities is merely part of the project development, and we can confirm our signing of a “protocolo de intencões,” said a Yara spokesman, who said the company, IFC, has been in place for several years, and was acquired by Yara as part of Adubos Trevo in 2000. Yara said the project definitions have yet to be defined. The local press reported that the two companies plan to invest US$317 million over a three-year period, with plans to produce 240,000 mt per year. However, Yara said details mentioned by the press could be one of many scenarios that are being evaluated. “There still remains further study and analysis before any of this can be confirmed,” said the spokesman. He said neither company put out an official press release as they did not regard it as significant enough to warrant press coverage.