WORLD NEWS USA Mosaic Co. expects disruption to phosphate operations following Hurricane Ida
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osaic Co. has said that its North American phosphate operations are expected to be negatively impacted by damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Wind damage to the Faustina and Uncle Sam facilities from the storm is expected to result in reduced production as repairs are completed over the next 8 to 9 weeks. The following expectations also include estimates of production loss from an August equipment failure at the company’s New Wales facility in Florida. In 3Q21, relative to historical averages, production is expected to be down by approximately 300 000 t. 4Q21 operating rates are expected to improve sequentially, but production may still be down from historical averages.
Mosaic plans to provide an update, including estimated financial impacts of the hurricane, when it reports 3Q21 results. The hurricane also caused navigational issues on the Mississippi River, which could cause congestion during the busy autumn application season and create logistical risks for Mosaic’s production. As Mosaic completes repairs to operations, the company is also supporting its employees and communities through a US$100 000 disaster relief grant to the Capital Area United Way and by providing affected employees with access to funds through the company’s employee-to-employee assistance plan.
AUSTRALIA PWR Hybrid given Preferred Proponent status to build Lake Wells
renewable microgrid
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ustralian Potash has awarded PWR Hybrid Preferred Proponent status to build, own and operate a circa 35 MW high renewable energy fraction microgrid at the Lake Wells sulfate of potash (LSOP) project in Western Australia. The microgrid will integrate a gas-fuelled power station with solar PV, wind and battery energy storage technology that is expected to achieve a renewable energy fraction (REF) above 65%. Australian Potash also commissioned an assessment of the Lake Wells project’s greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint as part of its preparation for compliance with the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) regime, effective in Europe from 10 March 2021. This assessment, taking into consideration the power balance across the project and energy usage through to ports of loading in Western Australia, concludes that the project will produce a CO2-e GHG that is materially lower than either a comparable Mannheim operation (LSOP<Mannheim by 69%) or solar-salt/brine operation (LSOP<other by 49%). The project’s microgrid will be developed in a staged approach, with the thermal component to be completed within approximately 15 months of the company making a final investment decision. This timeline ensures power supply preparedness for steady state operations. Australian Potash is aiming to make Lake Wells the lowest carbon dioxide emitting SOP project in Australia. Lake Wells, located in the north-eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia, is the company’s flagship project
and contains the largest JORC compliant Measured SOP resource in Australia at approximately 18.1 million t. SOP production from Lake Wells is expected to start in mid-2023, with a projected production of 170 000 tpy. Australian Potash started construction of a village for the project in July 2021, with accommodation units onsite and in use. Borefield development drill rigs, which were contracted from Pentium Hydro in April 2021, are also onsite and development of the Western borefield is underway. The drilling contract is for an estimated 13 months. The mobilisation of a civil earthmoving fleet has also commenced, with surveys to construct the initial crystalliser ponds having been completed. Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the project’s Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) in July, completing the environmental permitting requirements for the development of the LSOP. The CHMP provides a framework for understanding the cultural context within which the LSOP will be developed. It provides for processes that directly mitigate risks of impacts on sites and objects of cultural value to the Traditional Owners of this region. The commitments given by Australian Potash in the CHMP are binding, and the CHMP outlines a process and timetable for the on-going consultative process with Aboriginal and other stakeholders over the several stages of the LSOP’s development and operations.
SEPTEMBER 2021 | WORLD FERTILIZER | 5
