BHP says construction at its Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan is nearing the halfway point. A news release from the international mining company says up until now, the Jansen site’s electricity requirements have been supported by a temporary feed from SaskPower, but they are now at the point where more power is needed to support what’s happening on the surface and underground.

Spokesperson Sabri Hamida, says in the culmination of years of planning and months of dedicated support from SaskPower, the potash project’s own 230 kilovolt substation is now supplying power.

She adds that safely delivering one of the world’s largest and most sustainable potash mines requires careful planning, including the site’s anticipated energy consumption requirements for the decades to come, once operations begin.  The Jansen project is 140 kilometres east of Saskatoon.