Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. estimates that total production adjustments for 2013 will be 3.5 million mt. Of this, regular maintenance shutdowns would include 1 million mt, additional shutdowns 900,000 mt, and reduced operating rates 1.6 million. PotashCorp’s annual operational capability estimate of 12.4 million mt factors in regular maintenance shutdowns.
PotashCorp revealed that operating levels at Lanigan were reduced during the second quarter and its expects to operate both Lanigan and Rocanville at reduced rates for the balance of the year.
As previously reported in Green Markets, PotashCorp’s vacation and maintenance shutdowns for this summer are listed below. PotashCorp said that in addition to the shutdown weeks taken during the first quarter, the Cory facility will extend its regular maintenance shutdown by six weeks from Aug. 11 to Sept. 21.
PotashCorp vacation and maintenance shutdowns: Allan – July 7 to Aug. 3, with production to resume Aug. 4; Lanigan – Aug. 4-31, with production to resume Sept. 1; Rocanville – July 14 to Aug. 10, with production resuming Aug. 11; Cory – July 14 to Sept. 21, with production to resume Sept. 22; Patience Lake – June 30 to Aug. 3, with production to resume Aug. 4; New Brunswick – July 28 to Aug. 17, with production to resume Aug. 18. PotashCorp said there will be no layoffs during these shutdowns.