Intrepid Potash - Carlsbad, New Mexico

Potash is mined from subterranean salt deposits containing a mixture of potassium chloride (KCl), langbeinite (K₂S₀₄.2MgS₀₄), sodium chloride (NaCl) and other impurities.  The Carlsbad deposits are located 800 to 1,500 feet below the surface.  Potash is recovered in a refining process by which the potassium chloride is separated from the langbeinite, the sodium chloride and other impurities. 

Facilities

Intrepid Potash New Mexico consists of two primary plants, which are referred to as the "West Facility" and the "East Facility."  The Company also operates a granular compaction plant near the East and West Facilities which is referred to as the "North Facility."

West Facility

The West Facility comprises a mine and refinery, originally built by U.S. Potash in 1929.  This facility uses a flotation process to separate the potash from the sodium chloride. 

All refined product produced at the West Facility is transported to the North Facility compaction plant where it is converted to granular form and sold to agricultural fertilizer dealers and distributors. 

Mining the Ore

The main ore body at the West mine is located 800 to 1,100 feet below the surface.  After initial crushing, the mined ore is moved to a shaft by conveyor belts and hoisted to the surface.

North Facility

The North Facility is a granular compaction plant with storage and shipping facilities.  The finished product is transported by rail and truck to agricultural customers in both the domestic and export markets. 

East Facility

The East facility produces 62%, white Muriate of Potash (MOP) and Sulfate of Potash Magnesia products. The product is mined, upgraded and screened into the various grades. The product is then loaded and shipped in railcars and trucks for delivery to industrial and agricultural customers.

All of the refined potash products produced at this facility is a standard form of white potash, which is of high purity. A portion of the MOP production is converted to granular grade at the on-site compaction plant and sold as an agricultural fertilizer. The balance is sold for industrial purposes.

Langbeinite is a potassium magnesium sulfate mineral that is used as a specialty fertilizer for citrus crops, vegetables and tobacco. Intrepid markets this product as Sulfate of Potash Magnesia. Langbeinite production began in August 2005.

Mining Operations

The Company employs two types of ore refining processes; flotation, to produce red potash and hot leach crystallization, which produces the higher purity, white potash.  All of the red and some of the white standard potash is converted to a granular product, which is used as a direct application fertilizer and in bulk blending of agricultural products.  The balance of the white product is consumed in the specialty and industrial markets.

Potash mining is similar to underground coal mining and uses similar continuous mining equipment.  It is relatively safe mining due to the high strength and stability of the geological strata.

Intrepid Potash – New Mexico LLC has an outstanding safety record.  In December 2007 Intrepid entered into a Partnership Agreement with the South Central District of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).  By doing so, Intrepid became the ninth of 1,857 mines under the District's responsibility to enter into this level of a relationship. 

The Partnership Agreement articulates a list of thirteen specific points of agreement and cooperation -- the first being, "cooperatively agreeing that 'Zero' injuries and industrial illnesses is an achievable goal for the mining industry."  Intrepid expects to meet that goal on a regular basis.

For more information on Carlsbad please visit the following websites:

City of Carlsbad 
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce