Much work has been completed. However, much work lies ahead before production can begin at the Jansen Potash Project.

The Humboldt Chamber of Commerce along with BHP held a luncheon at the Bella Vista on November 7th to discuss the progress of the Jansen Potash Mine and what the future holds for the project.

It has been roughly 11 years since the site for the mine was secured by BHP, and in August of 2018, the two shafts reached their final depth. The service shaft going down 1,005m while the production shaft, also known as the Dalla Valle shaft, goes to a depth of 975m.

Before any production can begin, which still may be a few years away, BHP and the Jansen Potash Project must secure sanctioning from the board. However, a timeline leading up to the presentation to the board is still unclear. Ken Smith, Manager of Corporate Affairs with BHP stated, "We will continue work on our shafts over the next couple of years, with or without a board sanction decision."  That work includes enhancing economic development, securing a minority partnership, and installing a watertight final liner of composite steel and concrete. 

"Over the coming months, we're actually going to be de-mobilizing our shaft sinking contractor and we will be bringing on board a new contractor that will construct what's known as the final liner for both the production and service shafts at Jansen," said Smith.

By estimates, the Jansen Potash Project expects by stage one of production that it would produce 4,000,000 tons per annum, and by stage 2 an estimated 8,000,000 tons per annum. In terms of jobs, Smith said "For stage 1, we anticipate requiring about 500 permanent full-time workers. When we ramp up to the second stage that would increase to about 1,000."

A timeline that was announced by Smith, in regards to when the production might begin, was still uncertain. Smith did state, "What we can say, is that first production and when we get into operations, will occur roughly four years from the date that we receive board sanction on the Jansen Project."