Canadian fertilizer technology company Upcycle Minerals began the development phase for its potassium sulfate (SOP) production facility in Saskatchewan, Canada, this week.
The Tuxford project, located north of Moose Jaw, will be in the development stage for about 2 years before construction begins, which should take another 2 years, the company told Argus. This timeline is for the first phase of the facility, Upcycle Minerals added.
The first phase of the project is anticipated to produce 50,000 metric tonnes (t) of SOP a year, followed by a second phase expansion to 150,000-250,000/yr. The facility will also produce 40,000-45,000t/y of amsul as a byproduct during the first phase. The SOP form will initially be granular, but the producer has the option to not process the crystal into granular and could have a soluble grade product as well.
The producer will source feedstock from the Tuxford potash mineral permit and the Whiteshore and Lydden Lake Alkali leases. The permit borders K+S's Bethune and Mosaic's Belle Plaine solution mining properties.
The Tuxford permit also lies on the edge of the Canadian Pacific Railway and is bisected by a local natural gas pipeline, with an ammonia production plant roughly 19 miles away.
Upcycle initially expects to target the North American fertilizer market with the SOP and amsul produced at Tuxford, but the uptick in SOP output from phase two will target the US specifically.
Upcycle Minerals will work on the project with Stantec Consulting to carry out preliminary engineering work.
