The Crescent Junction Project

The Crescent Junction Project is located near the Town of Crescent Junction Utah near the intersection of Interstate 70 and highway 191. The Crescent Junction Project aims to mine potash on PPI’s mineral leases in the northern part of the Paradox Basin of southeast Utah.

The Paradox Basin trends from southeast Utah to western Colorado, is 250 miles long by 80 miles wide, and consists of salt that is locally thickened to more than 10,000 feet.  The basin holds the largest deposit of potash that is entirely within the US and is comprised of at least 29 evaporate cycles. The cycles consist of limestone, dolomite, anhydrite, and halite, the latter of which often contains potash.  At least 18 of the 29 cycles contain potash associated with halite.

Solution Mining 

Most potash operations rely on conventional mechanical mining methods that rely on physically hoisting material from below ground to the surface. Some potash mines utilize solution mining to access deposits of greater depth by pumping water underground to dissolve the potash salts only to be brought back to the surface for processing. At the Crescent project, PPI will implement a new type of solution mine that will bring increased efficiency, lower cost, and a smaller impact on the environment.

Using patented technology, PPI will utilize technology that will take advantage of the deposits naturally occurring temperature to produce potash at a lower cost, and with less energy than traditional mining or solutions mining. In addition, selective leaching of the potash deposit will allow PPI to produce potash without the need for large salt tailings piles. By using novel technology, the Crescent Junction project will not require cooling or evaporation ponds which are typically used in solution mining. These ponds are often very large and disruptive to the local landscape and environment. Currently all solution mines utilize vast pond complexes for the evaporation of brines. These pond complexes can be 100’s of acres in area. By utilizing PPI’s innovative technology, vast pond complexes will not be required which provides enhanced efficiency, reduces the plant footprint, and overall environmental impact to the area.

Location

Operating in southeastern Utah will give PPI a strong geographic advantage, placing it within one of the largest markets for potash in the world.  While the US is one of the top consumers of potash, it currently produces a very small percentage of its own consumption needs. Due to its geographic position, PPI will enjoy a competitive advantage over international importers due to its ability to offer lower shipping costs and shorter delivery lead times.

The Company’s location in Crescent Junction is adjacent to Union Pacific’s Central Corridor at the intersection of Interstate 70 and US Highway 191 serving all main thoroughfares.  Compared to potash coming from Saskatchewan Canada, PPI’s Utah location is 205 miles closer to Kansas City, (heart of the Corn Belt) and 945 miles closer to Fresno (fruit and vegetable basket) than Saskatchewan. Thus, PPI customers will enjoy shorter lead times and lower delivery costs.