East Mine
Carlsbad, New Mexico

The East Mine, which began operating in 1965, consists of a mine and a mill, as well as compaction, warehousing, and loadout facilities. 

The main ore body of the East Mine is locate approximately 900 to 1,100 feet below the surface and is a mixed ore body with two minerals: sylvite (or potash) and langbeinite.

Ore extraction and conveyance to the surface is similar for both our East Mine and West Mine. 

The East mill produces 62 percent K2O white Muriate of Potash (MOP) from sylvite ore and Sulfate of Potash Magnesia products, Trio®, from the langbeinite ore. The East Mine produces high grade white potash that is sold in either standard or granular form.

Potash is refined from the ore through hot brine dissolution of the potassium salts commonly called “hot leaching,” and then re-crystallization by rapidly cooling the brine. Natural gas boilers provide process steam. Langbeinite is refined using cyclone technology and water to dissolve the salt. The refined products are stored at the East Facility where we have significant warehousing capacity. 

These products are sold directly to customers from our warehouse via railcars and trucks for delivery to industrial, agricultural, and feed customers.