50% completion of the Jansen potash projec

Jansen project

BHP has announced that the Jansen potash project has hit a pivotal milestone, with construction surpassing the 50% completion mark for Stage 1, and Stage 2 already underway. BHP informed that it is on track for first production in 2026, setting Jansen up to be a major global producer of potash by the end of the decade, with an annual output of approximately 8.5 million tonnes.

Located in Saskatchewan, Canada, the Jansen project is poised to become one of the world’s largest potash mines, significantly bolstering the global supply chain and meeting the rising demand for this crucial resource.

All hands on deck

Karina Gistelinck, shared her excitement: “Reaching the halfway milestone for JS1 is a testament to the dedication of our Team Jansen workforce, contractors, procurement partners, and the local and Indigenous communities. Building one of the largest potash mines in the world requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, and the province has truly come together to make this project possible. Delivering Jansen safely remains our top priority as we prepare for operations in 2026.”

Key project

Despite facing challenges such as logistical hurdles, harsh weather, and a competitive labor market, the project remains unstoppable. Simon Thomas GAICD, expressed pride in the project’s advancement and its substantial economic benefits: “We have created thousands of workforce and contractor opportunities and are especially proud of awarding over $850 million in contracts to Indigenous-owned businesses in the province.”

As JS1 crosses the halfway mark, our focus shifts to completing the mill building and processing plant, port construction, finalizing infrastructure, and gearing up for operations. We’re intensifying efforts to prepare the workforce with an operations-ready mindset as we approach first ore.
Christoff Kühn, noted, “The Jansen leadership team is proud of reaching this milestone. We remain confident in meeting projected timelines and delivering the project as planned. Since sanctioning JS1 in August 2021, we’ve covered over 9.7 million exposure hours with no fatalities or critical incidents. Our team is determined to maintain our safety discipline and finish with a clean sheet.”

Investment

BHP first approved the CAD$7.5 billion investment in Jansen Stage 1 in August 2021. In October 2023, we announced a further investment of CAD$6.4 billion (US$4.9 billion) for Stage 2, bringing our total investment in Jansen to approximately CAD$14 billion. This marks the largest investment in BHP’s history and the largest private investment in Saskatchewan.

The Jansen project is not just about mining; it’s about transforming the global supply chain and ensuring a steady, sustainable supply of potash to meet the world’s needs.