Hatch joins Mosaic to celebrate momentous milestone at K3 mine

May 10, 2017

 

Mosaic celebrates K3 milestone
On May 3, 2017 Hatch joins Mosaic's senior leadership team, stakeholders, employees, and local dignitaries to celebrate momentous milestone. Pictured L-R: John Bianchini, Chief Executive Officer, Hatch, Cathay Wagantall, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, Bruce Bodine, senior vice president, potash, Mosaic, Joc O’Rourke, President and CEO, Mosaic, Warren Kaeding, MLA for Melville-Saltcoats, and Gerry Couture, vice president, capital and engineering, Mosaic.
Last week, the Mosaic Company celebrated a significant milestone for their multi-billion dollar K3 project: reaching potash at 3,350 feet below surface on February 16, 2017. Over the last five years, Hatch has partnered with Mosaic and AMC to complete two production shafts near Esterhazy, Saskatchewan in Canada. 

 

 

“We have a long and proud legacy here. For more than fifty years, we’ve managed to overcome great challenges and find success underground in Esterhazy. We’re ready for the next fifty and beyond,” said Joc O’Rourke, Mosaic’s President and CEO. “K3 is a world-class operation and the foundation of Mosaic’s future for potash production in Saskatchewan. Today we mark a literal ‘turning point’ for the project, moving from vertical shaft sinking to horizontal mine development.” 

 

The milestone is not only historic for Mosaic, but also for the province. The K3 production shafts are the first to be sunk in the province in nearly 50 years. Upon completion of K3, Mosaic’s Esterhazy operation is expected to be the largest, most competitive underground potash mine in the world. 

 

“We are incredibly proud to be part of Mosaic’s expansion at K3 mine. A project of this size, scale, and complexity requires exceptional planning, strong teamwork, and above all, a deep and personal commitment to building a better world through positive change. Delivering this milestone as an integrated team is something of which we should all be proud,” added John Bianchini, Hatch’s Chief Executive Officer, who joined the event alongside members of Mosaic’s senior leadership team, local stakeholders, and employees. 

 

Hatch has been the study and EPCM partner at the K3 project since 2008, providing detailed design and construction management for two producing shafts, headframes, site infrastructure, and hoisting systems. 

Mine development of K3 is underway. Once initial developments are complete, the ore will be transported by overland conveyor to the current K1 and K2 mills. Work on the project is expected to continue into 2024.