Potash Mine, Saskatchewan © Lucy Izon

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – At the Allan potash mine near Saskatoon more than 800 km of tunnels run deep beneath the ground. They’re down there because that’s where the potash is, 1000 metres below the earth’s surface. It’s this resource that has probably been keeping your garden green, and gardens around the world.

From ORE Magazine: “On a peaceful prairie night, you might look out into the darkness and conclude, “There’s not much going on out there.” Yet, a kilometre beneath the surface, you would find hundreds of workers and machines working away in more than 800 km of tunnels, driving our economy and helping to feed the world.”

Saskatchewan has the largest reserve in the world of potash, which provides potassium for plant fertilizers. The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, which has mines near Saskatoon, Regina, Esterhazy and Rocanville, is the world’s largest fertilizer enterprise. The Esterhazy location is the largest producing potash mine in the world. Saskatchewan accounts for about 1/3 of the world’s production of both potash and uranium. No surprise it is Saskatchewan’s official mineral.