The ever diminishing ambitions of BHP Billiton

Dow Jones reports Argentina's Mendoza Province has lifted its suspension of the multibillion dollar Rio Colorado potash mine project being developed by Brazilian mining company Vale SA. Mendoza's Environmental Secretariat has allowed Vale to move forward with the mine after the company agreed to submit reports on its local hiring and procurement practices to the local authorities, the provincial government said in a statement.

IC Potash, which hopes to build a potash mine in New Mexico, on Tuesday said a study it paid consultants UK-based CRU Strategies to conduct on its Ochoa project found “excellent market potential” for future production of sulphate of potash (SOP).

The Yorkshire Post reports Sirius Minerals has started a concept study at its York Potash project, paving the way for mining to begin at the UK’s only seam of potash. Sirius has secured mineral rights for 631 sq km of land between Whitby and Scarborough with plans to open a new potash mine and create up to 5,000 jobs. Sirius is about to start drilling two temporary boreholes in the North York Moors National Park. Once it gets an idea of what the potash seam looks like under the ground it can plan where to site the mine.

Agence France Presse reports Argentina is promoting the idea of an OPEC-like cartel for itself, Bolivia and Chile – which together control 85% of the world's reserves of lithium – to manage prices and limit overproduction. A ton of lithium, worth around $2,500 in 2004, now sells for more than $6,000 and its greatest use is expected to be in electric vehicles: if electric cars achieve a 5% penetration rate by 2020, 60,000 tons of lithium will be needed to fill the demand according to one analyst but recycling would reduce demand for virgin materials.

BHP said in a statement overnight that the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment had notified it of the approval, following an environmental impact statement submitted in December, 2010. BHP said Jansen would employ an average of 1,900 people during construction and create approximately 1,000 operational jobs once the mine has reached full capacity.

Canpotex Limited (Canpotex) today signed a contract with Sinofert Holdings Limited (Sinofert) to supply 630,000 tonnes of potash during the second half of calendar 2011 at price levels which reflect an approximate $70.00 per tonne increase above the first half China price level.

Reuters quotes the chief executive of Russian potash producer Uralkali telling an investment conference in Moscow on Tuesday that spot potash prices could reach $600 per tonne by the end of the year. Uralkali also said it was considering entering into a transaction with Belaruskali, contradicting a Belarus deputy prime minister who earlier said the $20bn state-owned company was not for sale. A Belaruskali-Uralkali merger would create a group with annual production of 21m tonnes, dwarfing current number one Canada’s Potash Corp.

China’s massive appetite for commodities is creating concerns for the global economy, the environment and workers in other countries. In a series of reports, VOA is looking at the economic power modern China wields. Chinese government and company officials are signing agreements at a dizzying pace around the world, including in places where few other foreigners invest.

Nasdaq reports farmers want so much fertilizer to meet demand for agricultural products that potash producers are raising their prices on an almost constant basis now. Back in January 2010, German potash producer K+S was charging 285 euros – roughly $407 – per ton of potash. As of now, bulk clients are buying potash at 363 euros or $520 per ton, a 27% net increase over the last 18 months.