Celebrating the past, growing our future

Published: Nov 28, 2018

Although Nutrien is a new name, we are proudly celebrating milestone anniversaries and our rich history in Saskatchewan for over six decades and 50 years in Texas.

“We are very proud of our roots and these anniversaries offer an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and key learnings,” says Susan Jones, Nutrien Executive Vice President and CEO, Potash. “We also look forward to continuing to grow our business and supporting the vibrant communities where we operate.”

Diamond Anniversary for Patience Lake

In 1958, Nutrien’s Patience Lake mine made history as the first potash producer in Canada.

The location also pioneered some of the methods used in the new and growing potash mining industry in Saskatchewan, and paved the way for other mines to develop safe and effective best practices. Patience Lake was the first mine to use the ground freezing method during shaft sinking to allow quick access to the potash beds. 

After about 30 years of mining, the site came up with an innovative and cutting-edge alternative to conventional mining, and converted the operation to a solution potash mine, due to water inflow. In this method, heated water is pumped underground and the resulting brine solution is brought up to the surface for processing to recover the potash. The Patience Lake mine has continued to safely and efficiently extract potash in this manner since 1987.

Patience Lake’s white granular potash goes primarily to certain markets in the United States, where retailers use white over red potash to differentiate themselves in their local market. The potash is used mainly for dry application, or melted down and used in liquid fertilizers or in fertigation. 

Nifty Fifty

Nutrien’s Allan, Cory and Lanigan potash mines are celebrating 50 years in operation. Our nitrogen facility in Borger, Texas is also celebrating its 50^th birthday this year.

In addition to local events to thank employees, some sites also gave back to their communities:

• Allan made a $200,000 donation over two years to the local fire hall
• Patience Lake donated to local emergency responders to purchase ‘jaws of life’ extrication equipment
• Borger donated $15,000 to a local agriculture education program

Growing responsibly for a better world

Nutrien is up for the challenge of helping to sustainably feed almost 10 billion people around the globe by the year 2050. 

From those humble beginnings sixty years ago, Nutrien has become the world’s largest potash producer with over 18 million tonnes of operational capacity at its six mines in Saskatchewan. Nutrien is the third-largest nitrogen producer in the world with close to 8 million tonnes of gross ammonia product capacity and operations in five countries, including our joint-venture assets.

In addition, Nutrien is a major contributor to the Saskatchewan economy. As the largest private-sector employer in the province, the organization has over 4,000 employees at six potash mines, more than 120 retail locations, and offices. In addition, the company helps cultivate Saskatchewan’s culture and communities, donating more than $4.5 million to about 200 different organizations in the province since the beginning of the year, supporting health, education, culture and food solutions.

"We have a real opportunity to shape and advance the agricultural industry; to leave a strong and positive legacy on how food is grown around the world,” Susan says. “As we reflect on the innovative thinkers of the past, we’re confident about our safe and effective approach for the future.”

Together with more than 20,000 employees across 14 countries, Nutrien is as committed to growing our world from the ground up as we were in 1958.