BHP submits Jansen EIS

Regina, Sask.-BHP Billiton on Dec. 18 submitted the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its proposed Jansen Potash Project in Saskatchewan to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (MOE). The project, about 140 kilometers east of Saskatoon, is being designed to produce approximately 8 million mt/y of potash at full capacity, potentially making it the world’s largest potash mine. BHP says the proposed mine will operate for about 70 years and make substantial contributions to the economies of local communities, the province, and Canada. BHP says it has prepared a detailed EIS that assesses potential effects of the Jansen Project and shows how BHP Billiton has designed Jansen to maximize socio-economic opportunities while minimizing environmental effects. The EIS will be released for public comment by the MOE once the document has been reviewed and deemed complete. At present, BHP expects this to occur some time in the first half of 2011. In the meantime, the company said it will continue to proactively engage with the public and share information about the project. “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. BHP says drilling has started in preparation for the ground freezing process, which is required to sink the production and service shafts. In total, BHP says it has exploration rights to over approximately 14,500 square kilometers of highly prospective ground in the Saskatchewan potash basin.