BHP Group Ltd., Melbourne, reported on Aug. 16 that the production shafts at its Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan are complete. It said that the $5.7 billion Stage 1 project is on track and the company is working to bring forward first production into 2026. Stage 1 would produce 4.35 million mt/y of potash. The company said it is 8% complete.
BHP said it expects Jansen capital expenditures of $740 million for financial year 2023 for Stage 1. It said it will continue to focus on civil and mechanical construction on the surface and underground, as well as equipment procurement and port construction.
BHP is also assessing options to accelerate Stage 2, which would add another 4 million mt/y.
In addition to Jansen, BHP will study plans to expand its top-earning iron ore unit to 330 million mt/y of production, and is continuing to assess options to lift volumes in copper and nickel.