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K+S Potash Canada (KSPC) and Pacific Coast Terminals (PCT) celebrated Monday the opening of a state-of-the-art potash handling and storage facility at PCT’s Port Moody terminal.
The port facility is the western port destination for potash from KSPC’s new multibillion dollar Bethune mine in southern Saskatchewan, the first new potash mine in Canada’s premiere potash belt in nearly 50 years. KSPC, a subsidiary of the K+S Group, an international resources company headquartered in Germany, celebrated the Grand Opening of the mine in May of this year and commenced production the following month.
“This port facility is essential to the success of our Canadian potash operations,” says Dr. Burkhard Lohr, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S. “In Saskatchewan, we now have access to high-quality resources for generations to come – and from here, in Port Moody, we will deliver our products to customers around the world.”
In 2014, KSPC and PCT signed a long-term agreement to ensure that products from KSPC’s Bethune mine would be delivered to international clients in a secure and competitive manner. The agreement included modifications to PCT’s existing facility as well as the construction of a new potash storage building on the site. Now that these modifications have been completed, PCT’s site is the most innovative of its kind in the world.
“We are proud to have partnered with K+S Potash Canada on this exciting project,” says Lorne Friberg, President and CEO of Pacific Coast Terminals Co. Ltd. “The expansion of our operations allows for a greater contribution to the City of Port Moody in terms of new jobs, additional municipal taxes, and increased support to local community organizations and events. Adding potash to our portfolio contributes to the sustainability of PCT, and is key to our strategic positioning.”
Modifications to the site include a railcar unloading facility; underground and above ground conveyor belts; new transfer towers; and a 263 metre-long storage warehouse with capacity for 160,000 tonnes of product. The facility is able to unload a 18,000-tonne train in just four and a half hours. Ships with a capacity of 70,000 tonnes can be loaded at the quay.
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in this impressive project,” says Dr. Ulrich Lamp, President and CEO, KSPC. “I would also like to acknowledge the support we have received from the community of Port Moody. This project has required collaboration from many sides, and we are grateful to all those involved.”
Potash from Bethune will be transported to the new facility in unit trains pulled by up to five Canadian Pacific locomotives, at a total length of approximately 3 km. Potash delivered to PCT’s site will be destined for China, Southeast Asia, India, Brazil and other international locations.
All sales and distribution of the potash produced at the Bethune mine will be managed by the K+S Group’s well-established and experienced global distribution structure.
