BHP Chief says Jansen Could Start in 2023
BHP Ltd. has confirmed its commitment to the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan as one of its important growth projects, and now sees possible first production in 2023. CEO Andrew Mackenzie, speaking at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Metals, Mining & Steel Conference in Barcelona, Spain on May 16, said the company is looking for board approval for the initial phase of the mine in the next 18 months but there is also the potential for approval as early as June next year.
“As we currently see it, we are looking at a phased expansion into Jansen with an initial stage of 4 million mt/y and that will generate competitive returns,” the chief executive said. “And we could seek board approval as early as June next year with possible first production in 2023.”
Both production and service shafts at Jansen have been excavated and lined through the Blairmore Aquifer, which BHP said is the highest risk section and technically the most difficult, and are now in hard rock to the bottom.
“As we progress this project we will continue to optimize the development path as to how we might add a mine to those shafts, so we can reduce risk and unlock value,” said Mackenzie.
However, the CEO added, that as with any development option BHP embarks on, the company will only develop Jansen “when the time is right.”