Potash
Nutrien is the world's largest soft rock miner and potash producer, with six low-cost mines in Saskatchewan. With decades of high-quality reserves and completed expansions, we’re positioned to meet the world’s long-term potash needs.
Our Potash business is part of Nutrien’s upstream network, which produces the food, fiber and fuel our world needs. Partnered with our extensive midstream distribution network and our downstream Retail business, we can anticipate trends, respond faster, and more effectively produce and distribute the products and services farmers need.
Find a potash facilityPotash 101
What is potash and where does it come from?
Potash is the common name given to a group of minerals containing potassium (K) and is essential to all forms of plant and animal life.
Potash by the numbers
20.6 Mmt
Nameplate potash capacity
6 mines
All in the province of Saskatchewan
~5,800
Owned or leased railcars
40 countries
Receive our potash exports
How it works
Potash is mined from deep underground deposits left by ancient inland seas or extracted from salt water bodies.
1. Ore from mine
Potash is mined using two- and four-rotor continuous boring machines.
2. Underground ore storage
Conveyor belts carry ore to underground bins, where it’s stored until transportation to the loading pocket of the shaft hoist.
3. Production hoist
Potash ore is hoisted to the surface through the production shaft.
4. Milling process
- Crushing, grinding, and desliming
- Flotation
- Drying and sizing
- Compaction and crystallization
5. Finished products and primary uses
- Standard fertilizer
- Solid fertilizer
- Soluble or industrial products
Primary distribution methods
Rail and shipping vessels.
Facility tour
An insider guide to the world of potash
Discover more about our potash operations in Saskatchewan and what it’s like at one of our mines.
BeltVision breakthrough: tech innovation propels Potash transformation
Nutrien teams have developed AI-powered technology that’s helping to ensure reliable production of a nutrient that’s vital to global food security.
Read the story65 Years of Potash Production: A Legacy Captured in Art
To mark 65 years of potash production and celebrate our deep roots in Saskatchewan, we commissioned a talented local artist, Josh Goff, to paint a dynamic and visually impactful “65” mural to celebrate this occasion.
Read the story