Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Western Potash Threatened with Legal Action
By Alistair MacDonald
Two investment banks have threatened legal action against a Canadian potash miner for allegedly not paying advisory fees, in an unusual move sparked by a deal that was once hailed as a potential harbinger of Chinese investment into the cash-hungry junior potash industry.
Lawyers for Swiss banking giant UBS AGUBSN.VX +1.52% and Montreal-based Lockwood Financial Ltd. separately sent letters to Western Potash Corp.WPX.T +2.38% alleging nonpayment of fees on the June 2013 deal. China BlueChemical Ltd.3983.HK -1.56% and a Chinese partner took a 19.9% stake in the Vancouver-based firm, in a high-profile transaction that triggered hopes of further Chinese investment in the potash sector, where exploration companies have struggled to raise cash. That increase in Chinese investment into the sector never materialized and Western Potash’s deal is now the subject of legal complaints.
On Wednesday, lawyers for Lockwood, a boutique firm, sent a letter to Western Potash alleging breach of contract for not paying for an introduction to China BlueChemical or for general advice on raising funds, according to a copy of the letter seen by The Wall Street Journal.
The firm said it signed an advisory agreement with Western Potash on September 2010 and that it was terminated in March 2012. In its letter, the firm alleges that advice and introductions from that period formed the basis of the agreement with China BlueChemical, which is a subsidiary of oil giant Cnooc Ltd.0883.HK +1.75% Lockwood said it would pursue legal action unless the situation is resolved.
Western Potash and its lawyers, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, declined to comment. China BlueChemical couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
In January 2012, Western Potash hired UBS to also advise it on raising funds. Last September, lawyers for UBS sent a letter to Western Potash demanding fees for that advice, according to a regulatory announcement made by Western Potash. The filing said that fees would be based on certain “triggering events” that didn’t occur, and that UBS’s case against the miner was weak.
UBS declined to comment. Western Potash and its lawyers declined further comment.
Western Potash is trying to develop a potash mine in southern Saskatchewan. That province has almost half the world’s reserves in potash, but aside from a few established giants such as Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, few miners have been able to raise the funds to mine it. The recent drop in the price of potash, which is used as an ingredient in fertilizer, has added to the sector’s woes as investors mainly steer clear.
Western Potash shares have lost almost two-thirds of their value since the company went public in 2008.
http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2014/02/27/western-potash-threatened-with-legal-action/?mod=yahoo_hs
Western Potash Reports AGM Results
Western Potash Corp (TSX:WPX)
Today : Thursday 27 February 2014
Click Here for more Western Potash Corp Charts.
Western Potash Corp. (WPX: TSX) (FSE: AHE) (“the Company”) is pleased to announce that its shareholders approved all items put before them at the Company’s Annual and Special General Meeting held February 25th, 2014. The items approved include as follows:
1. The reappointment of A. Chan and Company, Chartered Accountants as auditors at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors;
2. Fixed the number of directors of the Company at 7;
3. The election of J. Patricio Varas, Patrick Power, David Hodge, Troy Nikolai, Buddy Doyle, Peter Miles and Yexin Yang to the Board. Of the approximately 51 million shares voted at the meeting by ballot and by proxy, the approximate number of those votes ‘For’ each director, and the approximate percentage of the total votes cast, are as follows: J. Patricio Varas (49.5 million votes / 97%), Patrick Power (49.5 million votes / 97%), David Hodge (49.6 million votes / 97%), Troy Nikolai (49.5 million votes / 97%), Buddy Doyle (49.6 million votes / 97.1%) and Peter Miles (49.6 million votes / 97%) Yexin Yang (50.7 million votes/ 99.2%).
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a development stage potash company focused on building Canada's most efficient potash solution mine. The Company intends to develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner. A positive Feasibility Study for the Milestone potash project was completed in December 2012, demonstrating robust project metrics. For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at: www.westernpotash.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
For more information please contact John Costigan, VP Corporate Development, at (604) 689-9378.
Western Potash Corp.
John Costigan, 604-689-9378
VP Corporate Development
http://ih.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=61256802&symbol=WPX
$WPX.TO - Speculators dump Western Potash after Chinese deal disappoints
http://www.mining.com/speculators-dump-western-potash-after-chinese-deal-disappoints-58643/?utm_source=digest-en-potash-130604&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digest
Western Potash (TSX:WPX) slumped more than 10% on Monday despite confirming over the weekend months of speculation of an equity investment from China.
China BlueChemical, a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Benewood Holdings, part of a Hong Kong investment firm have agreed to make a equity investment of C$32 million in Western Potash at a price of $0.71 per share. The price constituted a a 15% premium over the 20 day volume weighted moving average of WPX.
In afternoon trade Western Potash were changing hands at $0.65, down 10.9% with almost three times the usual number of shares changing hands as investors who were hoping for a more groundbreaking deal or complete takeover, dumped the stock.
Despite today's fall Western Potash is still showing robust gains for the year – speculators chased the counter up 30% since the beginning of May in anticipation of a deal. The company is worth some $120 million on the TSX main board.
Western Potash has long been considered a takeover target with Indian and Chinese players mentioned, and the Vancouver-based company may also be actively looking for a big partner as going it alone on its giant Milestone project would probably be too much to bite off on its own.
Western Potash's a feasibility study released in December pegs the project's proven and probable reserves at 137 million tonnes KCl with the capacity for a 2.8 million tonnes per year mine using the lower cost solution method.
Capex came in at $2.9 billion for the Saskatchewan project with commercial production set for 2016 and full operating capacity six year later with a life of mine of 40 years.
Western Potash also operates in a busy corner of the market with BHP's massive Jansen project, which if built would be the world's largest potash mine, competing for scarce labour and skills in the Canadian province.
There is continuing belt-tightening in the potash industry with the big players in Saskatchewan cutting back on production amid high inventory levels.
Prices have held up relatively well however, with prices in the spot market up $50 to $70 a tonne since contracts were inked by the major players for the first half of the year at close to $400.
Strategy
http://www.westernpotash.com/company/strategy
The Company's Strategy is to fully utilize the technical expertise of its Geological and Financial teams in order to become a potash solution mine developer in Saskatchewan. The Company is pleased to have completed their Feasibility Study in November 2012, and most recently, received Environmental Assessment approval on the Milestone Potash Project.
Western Potash Corp. has engaged UBS Securities Canada Inc. in order to assist the Company in the process of evaluating alternatives related to securing financing for the development of the Milestone property.
Our Competitive Advantages
Strategically located in a premier potash province
Large, long-life, high grade potash reserves
Feasibility Study confirms attractive project economics
Project development led by a world class team
The Milestone Project has been substantially de-risked
What Is Potash?
http://www.westernpotash.com/about-potash/what-is-potash
The term "potash" refers to a group of potassium (K) bearing minerals and chemicals. The chemical symbol, K, comes from the Latin kalium which in turn, is derived from the Arabic word for alkali. Because potassium is naturally reactive element to occur naturally, it is always found in compounds.
The dominant potash in the market is the compound, potassium chloride or KCl, a naturally occurring, pink, salty mineral for which Canada is the world's leading producer and exporter.
Potassium is the seventh most abundant element in the earth’s crust.
WPX potash core from Russell Manitoba
Western Potash core from Russell Manitoba Project
Fertilizer producers mine the potassium from naturally occurring potash ore deposits. These deposits were formed when seas and oceans evaporated, many of which are covered with several thousands of feet of earth. Once the ore is brought to the surface, unwanted minerals are removed in the manufacturing process. The product is then granulated for application.
Where potassium is deficient in the soil, the use of potash fertilizers can help boost crop yields and improve the quality of the plant. Potassium protects plants from extreme temperatures, it helps them to fight stress, as well as, disease and pests such as weeds and insects. Potassium stops wilting, strengthens roots and stems, and assists in transferring food. It activates plant enzymes and ensures the plant uses water efficiently. Higher levels of potassium in the soil helps crops withstand stress conditions. Often referred to as the "regulator" in crop production, potassium has a major influence on protein and starch formation, influencing over 60 enzyme systems.
$WPX.TO - Western Potash Corp. Receives Strategic Investment from China BlueChemical Ltd. and GUOXIN International Investment Corporation Limited.
http://www.westernpotash.com/news/western-potash-corp-receives-strategic-investment-china-bluechemical-ltd-and-guoxin
VANCOUVER, June 2, 2013 – Western Potash Corp (“Western” or the “Company”) (TSX: WPX) today announced that China BlueChemical Ltd. (“China Blue”) (3983: HK) and Benewood Holdings Corporation Limited (“Benewood”), through a joint venture company, CBC (Canada) Holding Corp. (“CBCHC”), have agreed to make a strategic equity investment of C$ 31,979,022 in Western at a price of $0.71 per common share for a total of 45,040,876 newly issued common shares, which will result in CBCHC holding a 19.9% ownership stake in the Company on a non-diluted basis. The issue price represents a 15% premium over the 20 day volume weighted moving average. China Blue is a majority owned subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (“CNOOC”), the largest offshore oil and gas producer in China. Benewood is a wholly owned subsidiary of GUOXIN International Investment Corporation Limited, a financial investment company registered in Hong Kong (“Guoxin”).
Mr. Patricio Varas, CEO of Western commented, “This investment is a testament to CBCHC’s confidence in the positive business climate in Saskatchewan, the exceptional nature of the Milestone deposit and Western’s team. Our strategic alliance with China Blue and Guoxin will provide Western with access to project financing, technical expertise in large-scale project construction and marketing channels for future potash sales. ”
In addition, Western and CBCHC have agreed to an off-take term sheet under which CBCHC or a purchaser designated by it will enter into an off-take agreement for the purchase of the lesser of 30% or 1 million tonnes of potash annually from Western’s Milestone project for a 20 year term. The off-take agreement will automatically extend for five-year periods unless either party elects not to extend.
CBCHC has a right to appoint one nominee to the board of directors of Western pursuant to the investment agreement.
Closing of the private placement is subject to customary closing conditions including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. It is anticipated that the closing will take place on or about June 14, 2013.
About Western
Western Potash Corp. is a development stage potash company focused on building Canada's most efficient potash solution mine, with commercial production expected to commence, subject to financing, in 2016. The Company intends to develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner. A positive Feasibility Study for the Milestone Project was completed in December 2012, demonstrating robust project metrics.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
$WPX.TO - Western Potash: Lowest hanging fruit
http://www.mining.com/western-potash-lowest-hanging-fruit-74043/?utm_source=digest-en-potash-130423&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digest
Western Potash’s Milestone Project in Saskatchewan is now the most advanced undeveloped potash asset in the world. Which makes the company ripe for an acquisition, or a joint venture partnership, with a potash-hungry Chinese government-funded corporate suitor.
So says Fadi Benjamin, a Toronto-based mining analyst for the Canadian brokerage house and merchant bank, Northern Securities.
His upbeat remarks are encouraged by the fact that Western Potash was recently granted environmental approval from the Saskatchewan government to build a mine on the site of its 226-million-tonne Milestone potash deposit.
“This important development is the final step in technically de-risking the project,” Benjamin says.
Milestone is located 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Regina and is at the heart of the world’s richest and most prolific concentration of potash mines and in-development deposits. In fact, Saskatchewan hosts about half of the world’s potash reserves and currently produces about a third of global output.
Furthermore, Western Potash also benefits from an independently-validated feasibility study (a detailed blueprint for a mine) that attests to the robust economic viability of a future mine. This pivotal benchmark development also clearly demonstrates that Milestone is a “world-class asset,” according to Benjamin.
Specifically, he’s referring to the fact that Milestone is capable of yielding up to 2.8 million tonnes of potash per annum at pre-tax mining costs of around $62 per tonne for at least 40 years. This would generate approximately $1 billion a year in revenues, based on current potash prices (which are in the range of $400-$450 per tonne). This also computes to a projected payback within six years on the mine’s anticipated $3.3 billion in commissioning costs.
Additionally, the project is amenable to “solution-extraction” mining methods. This means that large amounts of water can be used to flush deeply-buried potash to the surface, instead of mechanically excavating it. In so doing, Milestone is expected to become the first such mine in the world that uses treated effluent, rather than fresh water, to extract this salt-based mineral.
Besides facilitating an environmentally-sustainable mining operation, this solution-extraction process will also offer key competitive advantages, according to company spokesperson John Costigan. For instance, it will translate into significantly lower mine construction costs than is the case with conventional potash mining. And a solution-extraction mine is expected to be faster to build and commercialize.
“All told, this project is essentially a low-risk, high-volume mining operation,” Costigan says. “It’s also a project that carries very limited political risk, given our geography. We also own our property outright. Because of this we have successfully avoided the development uncertainties associated with having a property that encompasses any parkland or is under First Nations jurisdiction.”
”In essence, these various dynamics make Milestone very attractive to anyone who wants to get into the potash mining business without any barriers to entry other than capital expenditure costs,” he adds.
“On this last note, it’s worth noting that Milestone is very similar in terms of its size and its commercialization costs to the Legacy potash deposit, which is now under construction. This is significant because this potash asset was acquired from one of our peers in the exploration sector by the German fertilizer giant K+S Ag for around $430 million a couple of years ago.”
The odds in favor of a lucrative potash mine being commissioned at Milestone are also supported by its close proximity to the largest solution-extraction potash operation in the world, the Belle Plaine mine. Owned by the potash giant, The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), it has been in business for over 40 years and is still going strong at around 2.8 million tonnes of output per annum.
This is particularly encouraging for Western Potash, which believes that its own deposit exhibits similar geological features — ones that are also suitable for the realization of a mine that is both energy-efficient and cost-efficient.
Costigan says one of Milestone’s biggest selling points is that this solution-extraction mine in-the-making promises to become the lowest-cost operator of its kind in North America. It is expected to open for business in late 2016.
Such a scenario now makes Western Potash especially attractive to a diversity of deep-pocketed mining companies or end users. Benjamin singles out Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as being the most obvious candidates.
“Supply security is particularly important to the Chinese, who have been circling around opportunities in Saskatchewan for some time,” he says. “Now that Milestone is technically de-risked,
Western Potash’s low share price valuation must make the company look like a bargain in terms of an acquisition or a joint venture.”
In fact, there’s a clear consensus of opinion among investment industry mining analysts who follow the potash and fertilizer sectors: They assert that the Chinese are very anxious to lock-in access to future Canadian potash supplies at reasonable prices.
By way of explanation, all of China’s potash imports are purchased from Canpotex— the marketing arm for Canada’s three dominant potash producers. And Canpotex has a reputation for being inflexible with its pricing. Hence, this “take it or leave it” mindset can be problematic with Chinese state buyers, who feel they are not always able to negotiate reasonable long-term pricing.
Moreover, potash has become an increasingly strategic asset for China’s burgeoning agriculture sector. This is because it’s an indispensible ingredient in fertilizers. Not only does it significantly boost crop yields, but it also ensures meaningful cost containment.
China’s need to ensure supply security at cost-efficient pricing is being presaged by the fact that its booming economy is affording its 1.3 billion citizens a better standard of living. In turn, most
Chinese are now demanding more feed-intensive animal protein in their diets. In which case, farmers need to significantly increase their use of potash-based fertilizers.
But China isn’t the only overseas player that wants to muscle-in on Saskatchewan’s lucrative potash business. Some of the world’s largest mining companies are now jostling for position to access rich potash reserves — against a backdrop of rising crop prices.
Indeed, food staples have resumed an across-the-board upwards trend now that the global economic recovery is underway. This bodes especially well for potash prices for the foreseeable future.
It also means that Western Potash is sitting on an increasingly valuable asset, according to Benjamin.
“The fundamentals for the potash business suggest there will be very healthy future growth,” he says. “And even in the present environment of lower potash prices (than several years ago), this merely means that higher volumes will be used on agricultural land around the world. Which should boost demand.”
The principals of www.BNWnews.ca do not directly or indirectly own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this article.
$WPX.TO - Western Potash Corp. Milestone Project Receives Environmental Assessment Approval
http://www.westernpotash.com/news/western-potash-corp-milestone-project-receives-environmental-assessment-approval
Vancouver, B.C. - Western Potash Corp. (WPX: TSX) (FSE: AHE) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (“MOE”) has issued Environmental Assessment (“EA”) Approval for the Milestone Solution Potash Mine project. The EA Approval covers all components of the mine facility including the use of City of Regina treated effluent as the industrial water source for the project.
“Environmental Assessment Approval is the final major deliverable required to advance the Milestone Project through financing and into construction. We are extremely pleased to have delivered this important milestone, critical to the development of our World Class project. The Company appreciates the diligent work completed by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and other Government of Saskatchewan officials” commented Patricio Varas, President and CEO of Western Potash Corp.
The EA approval is the culmination of three years of high quality work carried out by Golder Associates and Canada North Environmental Services in collaboration with Western’s environment and community engagement professionals and community stakeholders. The Company began work on the EA approval process in early 2010, when it began drafting its Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”). The EIS is the main initial environmental report submitted by a mining company to the government as part of the EA Approval process. The EIS was finalized and submitted to the MOE in January 2013. A mandatory 30-day public review period closed on March 4, 2013. Based on the EIS and public input, the Minister of Environment provided the EA approval to Western Potash on March 28, 2013.
The EA approval allows Western Potash to advance the Milestone Project to permitting and construction, which, subject to financing, is anticipated to commence in mid 2013. Utility providers will be responsible for permitting of power, gas and telecommunications facilities.
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a development stage potash company focused on building Canada's most efficient potash solution mine, with commercial production expected to commence, subject to financing, in 2016. The Company intends to develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner. A positive Feasibility Study for the Milestone Project was completed in December 2012, demonstrating robust project metrics.
$WPX.TO - Western Potash Corp. Milestone Project Environmental Impact Study Enters Public Review Stage
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=69dl5kcab&v=0018GD5KmAFhoyE6MNhophsrxfp_qNpq8UlSH3y_hd5IQB5Eq5qOvsnoO9jvl_2guZEvZUhOw_Z9PEo5Ls1LzVluIHdf_nEvFJX4Mr2aL_9N_EiXHMpwgnuLfnEtk1NjAJcoQVUqyug0jY%3D
$WPX.TO - Western Potash Corp. Delivers Feasibility Study with After-tax $2.44 B NPV, 18.6% IRR, 5.6 year Payback and Declares Reserves at Milestone
http://www.westernpotash.com/news/western-potash-corp-delivers-feasibility-study-after-tax-244-b-npv-186-irr-56-year-payback-and
Milestone Attained: Feasibility Approaches for Western Potash's Southern Saskatchewan Milestone Project
A 45-year deal to buy treated effluent? At first glance, that hardly seems the kind of news to excite investor interest. But it’s essential to Western Potash’s plan to use solution mining, one of the distinguishing features of the company’s Milestone potash project in southern Saskatchewan.
“If you compare the ramp-up period for a solution mine with a conventional mine, it’s staggering,” says Western Potash VP of corporate development John Costigan. “From construction to production takes about three years. For a conventional mine, that can take up to nine years. Consider the capital costs. Consider the cash flow. The payback comes an awful lot sooner.”
So last November’s water deal with the city of Regina marked another step forward for Milestone. The company expects a decision on its environmental impact statement in Q1 2013. Even sooner, Milestone’s feasibility study will hit the market.
The water plan calls for Western Potash to build a 30-kilometre pipeline from city to site. There, treated water will be injected into the mine and pumped out as potash-bearing brine. Evaporation, separation of salt and potash, and further refining will lead to the finished product. The deal gives Regina more than $200 million over 45 years. There’s a dual environmental benefit, too. Solution mining extracts less salt than conventional methods, resulting in a smaller surface footprint. And Regina won’t dump as much waste into its watershed. The plan would be more than sufficient to meet Milestone’s PEA-projected target of 2.8-million tonnes per annum for over 40 years.
The location is hardly obscure. Rival railways Canadian Pacific and Canadian National both cut through Milestone, offering access to ports and North American markets. Some of the world’s heavyweights live right next door. Milestone’s 35,400 hectares are bordered to the north and east by licences held by German fertilizer company K+S, BHP Billiton, Vale and a JV shared by Rio Tinto and North Atlantic Potash.
Two of those companies, however, might have cast a pall on potash. Last August Vale postponed construction of its $3-billion Kronau project to focus on the Carajas Mine in Brazil, the world’s largest iron ore mine. But Vale continues to work on Kronau’s environmental impact study. The same month BHP directors decided to review their $12-billion Jansen project, about 200 kilometres northwest of Milestone, even though work continues on the site. BHP has spent about $2 billion so far on Jansen, which would be the world’s largest potash mine.
K+S, on the other hand, began construction last June on its $3.25-billion Legacy mine, 60 kilometres northwest of Regina.
“Currently there is a bit of a pullback,” says Costigan. “But we take that as a very advantageous sign. It frees up a lot of resources in the form of skilled workers. Moreover BHP’s project is fantastically ambitious. I think their shareholders want to see an earlier return. BHP’s Jansen project doesn’t see any returns until maybe 2023. Again, a solution mine can show returns within three years. If we start construction next year, we could be in production by 2016.”
In addition to tonnage and grade, the project’s resource estimate provides a recoverable potassium chloride resource that deducts 5% for unknown geologic anomalies, accounts for a 34.6% extraction ratio and removes a 0.8-kilometre buffer around towns. Accordingly, Milestone’s potash beds have resources showing:
- a measured category totalling 786.8 million tonnes averaging 25.75% potassium chloride (KCl) for 202.63 million tonnes KCl, with a recoverable resource of 66.6 million tonnes KCl
- an indicated category totalling 2.25 billion tonnes averaging 25.97% for 584.93 million tonnes KCl, with a recoverable resource of 186.68 million tonnes KCl
- an inferred category totalling 10.51 billion tonnes averaging 25.96% for 2,729 million tonnes KCl, with a recoverable resource of 708.18 million tonnes KCl.
Milestone’s upcoming feasibility is expected to upgrade some resources into reserves.
Having closed a $9.6-million private placement in late October, the company’s well funded through the environmental assessment approval expected early next year. As for building the mine, Costigan says the company could take on a joint venture partner.
“For shareholders, the ultimate value isn’t in selling the project. It’s in building the mine. We believe it will be a substantial cash generator and the best value for shareholders,” he says.
Both China and India consider potash a strategic commodity, he points out. That’s not surprising, given that something like 95% of potash goes into fertilizer. Rising populations with rising expectations need more food. But even though potassium is the seventh-most abundant element in the earth’s crust, “economic potash deposits are very rare,” Costigan says. “Some otherwise economic deposits are in places with geopolitical problems that make them unviable. Saskatchewan really is the address for potash development.”
Ranked by the Fraser Institute as #6 among worldwide mining jurisdictions, the province currently produces about 30% of global potash supply.
“I think we’ve got one of the lowest-risk projects in the world,” says Costigan. “When you consider the geology, type of deposit, grade and access to infrastructure, we’re in an enviable position. And our upcoming feasibility will show how we’ve de-risked the project.”
$WPX.TO - Western Potash Corp. - Completes Private Placement Filing
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=69dl5kcab&v=001_bti-hHe0Cy8WCCrM6ntltz5JK4ASfAYarkrkxF_2-tjYC7Y_-B__QRHEbb2P1vLjD6Wn2kusMH6b4a0kmN1Rz_e5Jfvfbj43XXJKtKn-eY-wD-pMUCk_Hugb3J_VCpQ4wwKXUN9uyI%3D
... "October 19, 2012, Vancouver BC - Western Potash Corp. (WPX: TSX) (FSE: AHE) ("the Company")announces that it has completed its filing with the Toronto Stock Exchange for Conditional Approval of the private placement announced on October 1, 2012. The placement will be reduced from up to 31,250,000 units to a placement of up to 20,000,000 units. This reduction was carried out to comply with the Toronto Stock Exchange policy which limits unit private placements to less than 25% of a company's current issued and outstanding share capital, unless that company had obtained prior shareholder approval for the placement. All other terms and conditions remain the same.
The proceeds of the offering will be sufficient for the company to finalize the Feasibility Study, to deliver the environmental approvals, to complete all necessary permitting, as well as for general working capital purposes." ..
Sustainable Recycled Water Source Approved... Milestone Potash Project
Vancouver BC – Western Potash Corp. (TSX: WPX) (FSE: AHE) (“the Company”) -- On Monday, June 25 the City of Regina approved the Key Commercial Terms (the “Agreement”) that will see a large portion of the City’s treated sewage effluent routed to Western Potash Corp.’s Milestone Potash mine site, located approximately 30 km Southeast of Regina and 80 km Southeast of Mosaic’s Belle Plaine mining lease.
The Agreement, if paid out annually, is worth more than $200 million to the City of Regina over the 45 year term of the Agreement and will see up to 60,000 cubic metres of treated effluent diverted daily from the Regina wastewater treatment plant to the Milestone Potash Project mine site. The City of Regina, as the proponent of the Agreement, will operate the pump house and pipeline and will be responsible for obtaining all necessary environmental approvals. Western Potash will fund the capital costs associated with the construction of the pump house and pipeline.
“Western Potash is delighted to have reached this Agreement with the City of Regina and is pleased to be working together to sustainably innovate the potash solution mining process,” says Western Potash Corp. President and CEO Patricio Varas. “There are certainly no other potash solution mines in the world utilizing treated waste water.”
Once up and running, the Milestone Project will draw between 40% and 70% of the City of Regina‘s wastewater.
“This innovation is a win-win for everyone," said Acting Deputy Mayor Louis Browne. "Not only is the City of Regina now being compensated for treating a waste product, but we are facilitating economic growth in one of Saskatchewan’s key sectors: Potash development. In addition, downstream negative effects such as increased algae will also be alleviated, making this is a prime example how creative thinking and partnerships can yield a more promising future for everyone.”
The Milestone Project holds 66.6 million tonnes of Measured recoverable resource (content and grade that can be measured with a high degree of accuracy); 186.9 million tonnes of Indicated recoverable resource (content and grade that can be measured with a reasonable level of accuracy); and 708.2 million tonnes of Inferred recoverable resource. The Milestone Project contains potash resources of sufficient size and grade to support solution mining for more than 40 years at a production rate of 2.8 million tonnes per year. The in-house qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101 guidelines are J. Patricio Varas, P. Geo and Dean Pekeski, P. Geo, both of whom have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the evaluation, exploration and development of potash mineral properties in Western Canada. The Company intends to develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner. For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at: http://www.westernpotash.com .
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
Forward-Looking Statement
Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the effect and estimated timeline of the drilling and assay results on the Company, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the timing and amount of estimated future exploration; costs of exploration; capital expenditures; success of exploration activities; permitting time lines and permitting; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; and title disputes or claims; Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
http://www.westernpotash.com/news/sustainable-recycled-water-source-approved-milestone-potash-project
Win Win
Western Potash Will Buy Regina Waste Water for Giant New Mine
By Kevin Michael Grace
Consolidation has long been the name of game in Saskatchewan potash. Western Potash TSX:WPX was founded in 2007 with a different focus: the first new Saskatchewan potash mine since the 1970s. Western has found the resource, but it’s 1,600 metres below surface and will need to be flushed out. In a major innovation, that water is to come from the City of Regina, which would otherwise dump the treated effluent in the Qu’Appelle Valley.
According to John Costigan, Western VP Corporate Communications, “There are certainly no other potash solution mines in the world utilizing treated waste water.” According to a December 2011 43-101 prefeasibility study, the company’s Milestone Project holds 66.7 million tonnes measured (potassium chloride), 186.9 million tonnes indicated and 708.2 million tonnes inferred. Western will need 42,000 cubic metres of water a day to bring the potash to surface.
Read the rest of this article about Western Potash: http://resourceclips.com/2012/06/11/win-win/
The Juniors Shall Prevail
An Interview With Zimtu’s Dave Hodge
By Greg Klein
Dave Hodge is President/Director of Zimtu Capital Corp TSXV:ZC, an investment company focused on private, micro- and small-cap resource companies. He spoke with ResourceClips writer Greg Klein April 18.
Q: Would you give us a bit of background on how Zimtu began and how it evolved?
A: Zimtu has taken a variety of forms, from an exploration company to a dot-com company. When it was a dot-com, the company spun out its mineral properties and created a new exploration company called Commerce Resources.
And after the dot-com market fell apart we realized that the best thing we ever did for Zimtu shareholders was create Commerce because they received shares in Commerce through a share dividend.
An Interview With Zimtu's Dave Hodge
So we reorganized the company and essentially went into the full-time business of creating junior-exploration companies through a dividend process. That was relatively successful. And to augment that, through a series of partnerships with prospectors and/or geologists, we have developed quite a transactional business where we’re involved in staking properties on a partnership basis and helping market those properties to other junior-exploration companies.
Ultimately, that part of the business works well from a company-creation aspect because what you get by buying Zimtu stock is access to that very early stage of junior exploration. And in that very early stage there is tremendous upside and tremendous potential.
Read the rest of this interview with Zimtu Capital's Dave Hodge. http://resourceclips.com/2012/04/24/the-juniors-shall-prevail/
World Class Mine Developer Joins Western Potash Corp.
Western Potash Corp. (the "Company") (TSX: WPX, FSE: AHE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Lock, P. Eng. as Project Director to develop the Company’s 100%-owned Milestone Potash Project. Richard will join the Western team on March 20th, 2012. Prior to joining the Company Richard worked at BHP/Rio Tinto’s joint-ventured Resolution Copper Mining Project in Superior, Arizona. As Project Director, Richard was responsible for the development of the multi-billion dollar project, including pre-feasibility studies and associated on-site activities (which include multiple shaft sinking activities for exploration and future development). Resolution hosts the third largest copper ore body in the world and is predicted to produce 25% of the US copper supply while creating 3,700 jobs and generating economic growth of over 61 billion USD.
Richard has more than 24 years experience in the mining industry, having begun his career with De Beers-Anglo American in South Africa. Richard later joined Rio Tinto's Diavik Diamonds Project (Diavik) at Lac de Gras in Canada’s Northwest Territories, where he took the project from the evaluation stage to production. Under Richard’s guidance as mine manager, the A154 dike/dam was awarded the professional engineering award of merit by NAPEGG and the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers national award for engineering achievement in May 2003. The Diavik mine remains a standout example of technical innovation in Canadian project engineering.
Prior to his work at Resolution Copper, Richard managed the design and construction of a large, successful bitumen recovery plant on an oil sands mining project in Alberta, Canada for Canadian Natural Resources Limited, an independent oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company. His experience in the development of an oil and gas recovery and production facility brings great value as it has a great deal of structural and engineering commonality with the potash recovery plant being envisioned at Milestone.
Patricio Varas, President & CEO of Western Potash Corp., commented: “We are delighted to have Richard join our project development team. Richard is a mine builder. He is a highly experienced mining professional with the skill set necessary to move a project of this scope through the feasibility process. Richard’s depth of experience and proven track record in all phases of engineering and construction are key ingredients that will help Western effectively execute on all our project processes. This appointment to the Milestone Project sends a clear signal that the Company is effectively assembling a world class team, dedicated to bringing a world class Potash project to production. Those of our management team that have worked with Richard at Diavik and Resolution relish the opportunity to work together to deliver the newest independent potash mine in Saskatchewan.”
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the evaluation, exploration and development of potash mineral properties in Western Canada. Western Potash Corp. is curently working toward the completion of a Positive Feasibility Study at its Milestone Potash Project in Saskatchewan. The Company intends to develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner.
For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at www.westernpotash.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
Western says they will not be scooped and will do the mine themselves
Western potash is poised to be scooped up by one of the bigger potash companies. so says BNN
Every once in awhile there is some serious volume on this.. It seems to peak at 1.30-1.35 lately and drop to about 1.09-1.12. This is a good ,dare I say, bluechip. The world needs more and more food and to grow it they need help. Don't understand why a legit company like this is so undervalued.
Yes it is. I like the fact that they are going to build it and run it with a strategic partner and not letting someone take them over. The pps should be around 15.00 ps at this point in the development and is extremely undervalued.
Best of the junior potash companies.
This is a sticky!!!!!!!!!1
All I can see in this report is ... Kaaachinnnggg!!!!!!!!!!!
This board needs a mod ASAP. Prefeasabilty study out... looks great! Why doesnt the stock chart reflect current market $$ and volume ?
News Releases << Previous | Next >>
Western Potash Corp. Delivers Robust Prefeasibility Study at Milestone
Western Potash Corp. Delivers Robust Prefeasibility Study at Milestone
WESTERN POTASH CORP., (the “Company”) (TSX: WPX) is pleased to announce the receipt of an independent positive Prefeasibility Study (the “Study”) from AMEC Americas Limited (“AMEC”) on its 100% owned Milestone property in southern Saskatchewan (the “Milestone Project”). AMEC is a leading international engineering and project management company that currently manages multiple potash expansion projects in Saskatchewan with a capital value of several billion dollars. AMEC was chosen to carry out the Study because of their technical expertise as engineers and EPCM contractors, as well as their experience in potash mine construction, potash processing and their expertise in producing potash feasibility studies.
This Study confirms that the Milestone Project shows significant positive economics and that the asset is of sufficient size and grade to support primary and secondary solution mining for more than forty years at a production rate of 2.8Mt/yr. The Milestone Project hosts a potash resource which consists of 64 million tonnes of Measured Resource (contained KCl), 180 million tonnes of Indicated Resource, and 701 million tonnes of Inferred Resource. The Study was based on, and supported by, the NI43-101 Technical Report “Updated Technical Report Concerning Mineral Resource Estimates Subsurface Mineral Lease KLSA 008 Saskatchewan”, dated June 8, 2011 and filed on SEDAR on June 10, 2011 (the “Report”).1
An assessment of project economics was also included in the Study. Assuming a discount rate of 10%, the resulting project Net Present Value is $4.14B CAD, while the Internal Rate of Return is 22.7 %. The economics were modeled using pricing based on a CRU market report. This report provided average yearly potash price estimates for the period from 2015 through 2025. The average for those years, equating to $US 511/t, was used for the 2025 to 2055 period. The economic model assumes a flat US$ exchange rate, CAPEX based on 100% equity, and tax and royalties calculated using a flat rate of $28.90/t CAD. A complete list of the assumptions used in this model can be found in Table 1. Since the analysis is based on a cash flow estimate, it could be expected that actual financial results may vary from these predictions.
Table 1: Model Assumptions
Target Annual Production rate 2.8 Mt/yr
Life of Mine 40 years
Years of Construction 3
Construction Start-up 2013
Mining Start-up 2016
Years to Full Secondary Production 6
Long Term Potash Price (FOB Gate) $511/tonne USD
Assumed Exchange Rate US$/CAD$ 1.00
Taxes and Royalties $28.90/tonne CAD
Sustaining CAPEX Rate % 2.0%
Base Case 100% Equity
OPEX $62.35 tonne CAD
Initial CAPEX $2.458 Billion CAD
Port CAPEX $300 Million CAD
Total Initial CAPEX $2.758 Billion CAD
NPV (10) $4.14 Billion CAD
IRR 22.7%
Payback Period 5 Years
The Study includes all facilities required to operate a potash solution mine, including a cavern and well field layout, a two-train multiple effect evaporization-crystallization plant, a dry processing plant, product storage, load out and all other necessary site infrastructure. This design was detailed to a sufficient level to allow the capital cost estimate to be upgraded to AACE “Class 4” standard. The annual production rate can be expanded to a higher annual production rate, achievable through a higher level of capital expenditure.
This Study was intended to provide a high degree of project definition, building on the Scoping Study completed in 2010. The Prefeasibility Study commenced with the completion of tradeoff studies where important design options were investigated. Ultimately a single plant design was identified, which was carried through the Study. Agapito Associates, Inc. was contracted by the Company to complete the Solution Mining Design for the Study, which included a solution mining plan and schedule, well field design, cavern layout and recovery modeling, and subsidence analysis. AAI’s experience includes work for Intrepid Potash Inc. in the US, Rio Tinto and Vale at the PRC project in Argentina, and work for several prospective potash projects located in Saskatchewan.
Capital and operating cost estimates were generated with a target accuracy of ±20%, typical for this level of Study. The initial CAPEX estimate for the plant is $2.758B CAD, including allowances for port infrastructure, water supply pipeline, and off site railway. An allowance of $300M CAD has been included for port infrastructure which was excluded from the Company’s Scoping Study completed in 2010. Removing this allowance for port from the current Study results in an approximate 2% reduction in initial CAPEX when compared to the Company’s Scoping Study. Construction is assumed to take place over a three year period, with production beginning in project year three. Full primary and secondary production will be achieved over a six year ramp up period.
The Project unit operating costs were estimated to be $62.35/tonne CAD at full production capacity. These operating costs include estimates for labour, maintenance, power, natural gas, water, consumables, diesel, and uncapitalized well field operations. Operating costs do not include taxes, royalties, or the costs associated with transportation to port and ship loading. Sustaining capital has been projected to remain flat at 0.5% of replacement cost for the first 10 years of operations. Sustaining capital ramps up from 0.5% to 2.0% of replacement cost between years 14 and 23 of the Project.
The Study resulted in significant advancement of the level of definition of the project. The Milestone Project remains economically very strong with no known limitations that may prevent a successful and profitable project outcome. The Study recommends immediate commencement of a Feasibility Study which will adhere to the AACE “Class 3” classification for projects.
Patricio Varas, CEO and President comments: "The PFS confirms the compelling opportunity that the Milestone project represents for the Company and the Province of Saskatchewan to develop a world class potash mining operation. In addition to the 40 year scope of mining contemplated in the PFS, the known resource is sufficient to support ongoing mining for an additional 40 years and beyond. We are pleased with the on time and on budget delivery as well as the thorough analysis of the available options considered for project optimization. The coordinated efforts of the internal and external teams are to be complimented for their work in delivering a comprehensive report, a critical step as the Company continues the process of de-risking the Milestone asset. "
The Company will file an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report with Canadian securities regulators within 45 days of this release and will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and also on the Company's website at www.westernpotash.com. This Technical Report will include an updated Mineral Resource and Reserves Statement.
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a potash company focused on the development its 100% owned Milestone Saskatchewan solution mining project, located 30 km southeast of Regina. The Company intends to develop this world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner.
The in-house qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101 guidelines are J. Patricio Varas, P. Geo and Dean Pekeski, P. Geo, both of whom have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at: www.westernpotash.com
1 The Report was prepared by Agapito Associates Inc. and reported via news release dated June 21, 2011. The Qualified persons for the Report were Dr. Michael P. Hardy, P.E, P.Eng., P.G., Dr. Douglas F. Hambley, P.E., P.Eng., P.G. and Dean Pekeski, P.Geo. The Company cautions that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
President and CEO
Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the effect and estimated timeline of the drilling and assay results on the Company, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the timing and amount of estimated future exploration; costs of exploration; capital expenditures; success of exploration activities; permitting time lines and permitting; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; and title disputes or claims; Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Business Wire
October 31, 2011 - 4:36 PM EDT
WPSHF...I see value here; added some today. eom
Nice! Another sticky.
WPX/WPSHF will begin trading on TSX July 12...
BusinessWire · Jul. 11, 2011 | Last Updated: Jul. 11, 2011 9:16 AM ET
Western Potash Corp. (the “Company”) (TSX: WPX, FSE: AHE) is pleased to announce that the common shares of the Company will be listed and posted for trading at the opening on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, on the TSX. The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 501 of the TSX Company Manual.
An application has been granted for the original listing in the Mining category of 188,034,293 common shares of the Company, of which 160,945,183 common shares are issued and outstanding, and 27,089,110 common shares are reserved for issuance.
The common shares of the Company have been listed on TSX Venture Exchange since May 6, 2008 under the symbol "WPX". The common shares will be delisted from TSX Venture Exchange on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, upon commencement of trading on TSX.
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a potash development company focused on building Canada's most efficient potash solution mine. The company is working toward the completion of a positive Feasibility Study at its Milestone Project in Saskatchewan, Canada.
The Company's commitment is to develop their Tier 1 Milestone potash project in an ecologically sustainable and socially responsible manner.
For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at: www.westernpotash.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts
Western Potash Corp.
John Costigan, VP Corporate Development
604-689-9378
That's a sticky. Thanks!
WPX/WPSHF... Milestone Project preferred plant site land purchased...
Western Potash Announces the Purchase of the Milestone Project Plant Site Land and SEDAR Filing of Technical Report
Western Potash Corp. (the “Company”) (TSX.V: WPX, FSE: AHE) is pleased to announce that it has completed the purchase of a large parcel of surface lands, advancing the development of the plant site facility for its Milestone potash solution mining project in southern Saskatchewan.
The land acquisition program has now successfully secured over 2,550 acres at the Company’s preferred plant site location. Securing the plant site location is an important aspect of the Milestone feasibility process as the environmental and regulatory approval processes and project schedules are dependent on it. The site is large enough to house all intended plant site facilities for the contemplated life of the mine.
The Company has completed water, soil, vegetation, and wildlife baseline studies over the site as part of its Environmental Approval process. The Company has also completed airborne geophysical surveys, satellite imagery acquisition, and geotechnical drilling as part of this process. Data from these studies was used to complete a detailed constraints assessment as part of the land acquisition process. The site was selected based on the following parameters:
Proximity to the potash resource
Motivated and engaging landownership
Lack of surface streams
Lack of subsurface aquifers
Favorable surficial and hydro-geology characteristics
Low geotechnical risk
Proximity to road, rail and utility infrastructure
The plant site will support all maintenance, administration, processing, product storage, and load out facilities. The site will further be large enough to accommodate salt storage, brine cooling ponds, and all utility infrastructure. The site is of sufficient size to allow for increased potash production beyond the anticipated mining rate of 2.5 million tonnes of KCl product per year.
Patricio Varas, CEO and President of the Company commented: "Securing the Milestone plant site represents another key achievement in the ongoing development of this world class potash project. We now have ownership of enough surface lands to accommodate an efficient plant design, one capable of future expansion to higher production rates. This purchase brings Western Potash a significant step closer to making Milestone one of the largest, most accessible, greenfield, independently owned potash deposits, being developed in the world today."
The 100% owned Milestone property is located 30 kilometers southeast of Regina, and southeast of Mosaic’s Belle Plaine Mine, one of the largest producing potash solution mines in the world.
Technical Report Filed on SEDAR
Further to the Company's news release dated April 26, 2011, the Company confirms that the related NI 43-101 Technical Report titled “Updated Technical Report Concerning Mineral Resource Estimates Subsurface Mineral Lease KLSA 008 Saskatchewan” was filed on SEDAR on June 10, 2011. In addition to covering the increased resource estimate, the Report sets out that the Milestone project now comprises 87,530 acres (including road allowances) of Crown mineral lands by means of Subsurface Mineral Lease KLSA 008, which was granted to the Company on May 18, 2010. This Lease incorporates the lands formerly held by the Company under Permits KP 408 and KP 409. Lease KLSA 008 was granted to the Company by the Saskatchewan Department of Energy and Resources on May 18, 2010. The lease has a term of 21years from the date of issue and is renewable for additional terms of 21 years provided that the Company fully complies with the terms of the Lease.
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a potash asset development company engaged in the evaluation, exploration and development of properties in Western Canada. The Company intends to define and develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner.
The in-house qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101 guidelines are J. Patricio Varas, P. Geo and Dean Pekeski, P. Geo, both of whom have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at: www.westernpotash.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
This news release contains Forward Looking Statements regarding our intentions and plans. Forward looking statements in this news release include: that the company has completed the purchase of a large parcel of surface lands advancing the development of the plant site facility for its Milestone potash solution mining project; that the land acquisition program has secured over 2,550 acres at the Company’s preferred plant site location; that securing the plant site location is an important aspect of the Milestone feasibility process as the environmental and regulatory approval processes and project schedules are dependent on it; that the site is large enough to house all intended plant site facilities for the contemplated life of the mine; that the plant site will support all maintenance, administration, processing, product storage, and load out facilities; that the site will further be large enough to accommodate salt storage, brine cooling ponds, and all utility infrastructure; that the site is of sufficient size to allow for increased potash production beyond the anticipated mining rate of 2.5 million tonnes of KCl product per year; that Patricio Varas, CEO and President of the Company commented: "Securing the Milestone plant site represents another key achievement in the ongoing development of this world class potash project. We now have ownership of enough surface lands to accommodate an efficient plant design, one capable of future expansion to higher production rates; that this purchase brings Western Potash a significant step closer to making Milestone one of the largest, most accessible, greenfield, independently owned potash deposits, being developed in the world today"; It is the Company’s policy not to update forward-looking statements. Various factors may prevent or delay our plans, including but not limited to, contractor availability and performance, weather, access, mineral prices and success and failure of the exploration and development carried out at various stages of the program. Readers should review risk factors applicable to junior mining exploration companies generally to understand the variety of risks that can affect the Company.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Western Potash Corp.
John Costigan, VP Corporate Development
604-689-9378
http://pdf.reuters.com/htmlnews/8knews.asp?i=43059c3bf0e37541&u=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20110621:nBw216221a
All the proper ingredients... Just add time! eom
Very under the radar I'd say...
Western trades on the OTC under the symbol WPSHF.
Great read on Potash!
That's pretty impressive.
Western Potash receives conditional approval for TSX listing...
Wed Jun 8, 2011 2:46pm EDT
Western Potash Receives Conditional Approval for Listing on the TSX Senior Stock Exchange
Western Potash Corp. (“The Company” or “Western”) (TSX.V: WPX, FSE: AHE) is pleased to announce that the Company has received conditional approval for the listing of its common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Upon filing and acceptance of the final listing application and related documentation, the Company’s shares will commence trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and be de-listed from the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company expects to satisfy all of the necessary conditions and for its shares to begin trading on the TSX in the coming weeks. Upon its listing on the TSX, Western’s common shares will continue to trade under the symbol "WPX".
Mr. J. Patricio Varas, President and CEO commented on the conditional acceptance, “We are pleased that the Toronto Stock Exchange has approved the Company’s technical reports and related material and has granted conditional approval for listing on the Senior Stock Exchange. We anticipate that the listing will help provide access to a larger audience of investors.”
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a potash asset development company engaged in the evaluation, exploration and development of properties in Western Canada. The Company intends to define and develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner.
The in-house qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101 guidelines are J. Patricio Varas, P. Geo and Dean Pekeski, P. Geo, both of whom have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at: www.westernpotash.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
This news release contains Forward Looking Statements regarding our intentions and plans. Forward looking statements in this news release includeIt is the Company’s policy not to update forward-looking statements. Various factors may prevent or delay our plans, including but not limited to, contractor availability and performance, weather, access, mineral prices and success and failure of the exploration and development carried out at various stages of the program. Readers should review risk factors applicable to junior mining exploration companies generally to understand the variety of risks that can affect the Company.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Western Potash Corp.
John Costigan, VP Corporate Development
(604) 689-9378
Highgrade Review potash article...
http://www.highgradereview.com/potash-stocks/
Well, the CEO leaves little doubt of the magnitude here.
Impressive, yet remains mostly under the radar! eom
The PR was impressive. Grabbed a few right after the trading started.
Patricio Varas, CEO and President...
“We are very pleased with the results of this updated resource calculation, though we are not surprised by it as extensive parts of the property surrounding the defined resource remain to be drill tested and our seismic data indicates substantially more potash is present, as was confirmed in our newest drill hole M-009. We now look forward to including this updated resource into our mine plan and feasibility process already underway”. Varas commented further that “the expansion of resources is another step in the de-risking process of what management considers to be one of the largest, most accessible, independently owned Tier 1 potash solution deposits being developed in the world today”.
Western Potash Significantly Expands Measured and Indicated Potash Resource by 40% to 244 Million Tonnes
Business Wire
10:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time Apr 26, 2011
Western Potash Corp. (the “Company”) (TSX.V: WPX, FSE: AHE) is pleased to announce the receipt of an updated NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for its Milestone property in southern Saskatchewan. This updated resource estimate substantially increases the Milestone extractable Potash Resource to 64 million tonnes of Measured Resource (contained KCl), 180 million tonnes of Indicated Resource, and 701 million tonnes of Inferred Resource. The updated resource estimate at Milestone was prepared by Agapito Associates Inc. (“AAI”) of Grand Junction, Colorado.
Mineral Resources for the potential solution mining intervals (Patience Lake, Belle Plaine, and Esterhazy Members excluding interbeds) are estimated to be as follows:
Measured Resource: 637 Mt in place sylvinite grading 30.47% KCl (64 Mt of recoverable KCl).
Indicated Resource: 1,857 Mt in place sylvinite grading 30.35% KCl (180 Mt of recoverable KCl)
Inferred Resource: 8,907 Mt in place sylvinite grading 30.31% KCl (701 Mt of recoverable KCl)
Mineral Resources reported here represent significant expansions in tonnage compared with the Mineral Resources previously reported in the NI43-101 Technical Report filed by the Company in July 2010*. These resource expansions are as follows;
Measured Resources expanded by 55%
Indicated Resources expanded by 34%
Inferred Resources expanded by 25%
* The NI43-101 Technical Report titled “Technical Report Concerning Mineral Resource Estimate, Subsurface Mineral Permit KP 408 and KP 409, Saskatchewan”, dated July 12, 2010 and filed on SEDAR on July 16, 2010 (the “Report”). The Report was prepared by Agapito Associates Inc. and reported via news release dated June 3, 2010. The Qualified persons for the Report were Dr. Michael P. Hardy, P.E (US), P.Eng. (SK), P.G. (US), Dr. Douglas F. Hambley, P.E. (US), P.Eng. (SK), P.G. (US) and Dean Pekeski, P.Geo. (SK).
Patricio Varas, CEO and President of the Company commented “We are very pleased with the results of this updated resource calculation, though we are not surprised by it as extensive parts of the property surrounding the defined resource remain to be drill tested and our seismic data indicates substantially more potash is present, as was confirmed in our newest drill hole M-009. We now look forward to including this updated resource into our mine plan and feasibility process already underway”. Varas commented further that “the expansion of resources is another step in the de-risking process of what management considers to be one of the largest, most accessible, independently owned Tier 1 potash solution deposits being developed in the world today”.
A detailed summary of the Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource within Crown and Leased Freehold Areas is presented in Table 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Table 1. Measured Mineral Resource within Crown and Leased Freehold Areas Only*
Bed Average KCL
Grade (%)
In-place
Tonnage (Mt)
In-Place KCL
Tonnage (Mt)
KCL
Resource** (Mt)
Patience Lake 28.66 314.27 90.06 29.60
Belle Plaine 30.13 131.70 39.68 13.04
Esterhazy 33.71 190.71 64.28 21.13
Total 31.00 636.68 194.02 63.77
* Search Radius of 800 m used; Mt = million tonnes; K2O grade > 15%; Density = 2.08, KCl = 1.58303 K2O.
** Resource accounts for geologic anomalies (5%), and extraction ratio (34.6%), and 0.8- and 1.5-km buffers, respectively around towns and plant..
Table 2. Indicated Mineral Resource within Crown and Leased Freehold Areas Only*
Bed Average KCL
Grade (%)
In-place
Tonnage (Mt)
In-Place KCL
Tonnage (Mt)
KCL
Resource (Mt)**
Patience Lake 28.60 930.41 266.09 83.78
Belle Plaine 29.97 391.00 117.20 36.90
Esterhazy 33.66 536.03 180.44 59.31
Total 30.79 1,857.45 563.73 179.99
* Search Radius: 1.6 km outside radius and 2.5 km inner radius (between drill holes); Mt = million tonnes; K2O grade > 15%; Density = 2.08; KCl = 1.58303 K2O.
** Resource accounts for geologic anomalies (9%), extraction ratio (34.6%), and 0.8- and 1.5-km buffers, respectively around towns and plant..
Table 3. Inferred Mineral Resource within Crown and Leased Freehold Areas Only*
Bed Average KCL
Grade (%)
In-place
Tonnage (Mt)
In-Place KCL
Tonnage (Mt)
KCL
Resource (Mt)**
Patience Lake
28.68 4,349.59 1,247.56 323.74
Belle Plaine 29.88 2,030.82 606.71 157.44
Esterhazy 33.47 2,526.82 845.61 219.44
Total 30.85 8,907.24 2699.89 700.62
* 8.0 km radius used; Mt = million tonnes; K2O grade > 15%; Density = 2.08, KCl = 1.58303 K2O.
** Resource accounts for geologic anomalies (25%), extraction ratio (34.6%), and 0.8- and 1.5-km buffers, respectively around towns and plant..
AAI have made estimates of the Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources based on a Radius of Influence (ROI) similar to that applied by mine operators and peer group explorers working on solution mining properties in the region. Furthermore, the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resources were arrived at by discounting the overall calculated tonnage by Loss Factors of 5%, 9% and 25% respectively, to account for unknown geologic anomalies. The resulting potash quantity was further reduced using an extraction ratio factor of 34.6%, which is the estimated potash available to be extracted for the life of an envisioned operation leaving sufficient material to support cavern stability. The resource estimate was prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 of the Canadian securities regulators. As required by NI 43-101, a technical report supporting the resource estimate will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days following the date of this news release: reports on SEDAR are available to the public.
AAI has extensive experience in solution mining, resource characterization and preparation of 43-101 Technical Reports on Potash Resources. AAI’s experience includes work for Intrepid Potash Inc. in the US, Rio Tinto and Vale at the PRC project in Argentina and for several prospective potash projects located in Saskatchewan.
In calculating the initial mineral resource AAI incorporated historical information available from public sources as well as new resource information obtained from exploration conducted by Western Potash between January 2009 and March 2011. Exploration conducted during that time included the purchasing and/or acquisition, processing and interpretation of 474.5 line km of 2D and over 98 square kilometers of 3D seismic data, and the completion of ten exploration wells totaling 18,240 meters completed within the KLSA 008 Crown Lease area. All ten of the wells drilled, spanning some 18 kilometers of strike length, penetrated the potash-bearing beds and have sufficient assayed core to allow for the calculation of potash mineralization thickness and grade.
The updated and expanded Resource Calculation will now be incorporated into the Solution Mining Plan, part of the intergrated Feasibility process (“PFS + FS”) currently being completed by AMEC Americas Limited (“AMEC”) as reported via press release dated January 19, 2011. The integrated Feasibility process remains on schedule and on budget, with an estimated “PFS” completion date sometime during the fourth quarter 2011.
The 100% owned Milestone property, comprising 500 square kilometers, is located 30 kilometers southeast of Regina, and southeast of Mosaic’s Belle Plaine Mine, one of the largest producing potash solution mines in the world.
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the evaluation, exploration and development of potash mineral properties in Western Canada. The Company intends to define and develop a world-class potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient and socially responsible manner.
This news release was reviewed by Dr. Michael P. Hardy, P.E (US), P. Eng. (SK), P.G. (US), and Dr. Douglas F. Hambley, P.E. (US), P. Eng. (SK), P.G. (US), of Agapito Associates Inc. All individuals are Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 Rules and Policies and are co-authors of the updated NI 43-101 Technical Report on which this news release is based.
The in-house qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101 guidelines are J. Patricio Varas, P. Geo and Dean Pekeski, P. Geo, both of whom have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Dean Pekeski is also co-author of the updated NI 43-101 Technical Report on which this news release is based.
For more information on Western Potash Corp.’s projects, please visit the Company’s website at: www.westernpotash.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“J. Patricio Varas”
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
This news release contains Forward Looking Statements regarding our intentions and plans. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the updated resource estimate significantly upgrades the Milestone Potash Resource, which consists of 64 million tonnes of Measured Resource (contained KCl), 180 million tonnes of Indicated Resource, and 701 million tonnes of Inferred Resource; that “We are very pleased with the results of this updated resource calculation, though, we are not surprised by it as extensive parts of the property surrounding the defined resource remains to be drill tested and our seismic data indicates substantially more potash is present, as was confirmed in our newest drill hole M-009; that the addition of this tonnage is significant because it demonstrates over 95 years of production resources at an annual mining rate of 2.5 million tonnes of KCl product; that we now look forward to including this updated resource into our mine plan and feasibility process already underway”; that “the expansion of resources is another step in the project de-risking process of what management considers to be one of the largest, most accessible and best Tier 1 potash, greenfield, independently owned solution deposits being developed in the world today”; that the updated and expanded Resource Calculation will now be incorporated into the Solution Mining Plan, part of the intergrated Feasibility process (“PFS + FS”) currently being completed by AMEC Americas Limited (“AMEC”) ; that the integrated Feasibility process remains on schedule and on budget, with an estimated “PFS” completion date sometime during the fourth quarter 2011. It is the Company’s policy not to update forward-looking statements. Various factors may prevent or delay our plans, including but not limited to, contractor availability and performance, weather, access, mineral prices and success and failure of the exploration and development carried out at various stages of the program. Readers should review risk factors applicable to junior mining exploration companies generally to understand the variety of risks that can affect the Company.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Western Potash Corp.
John Costigan, VP Corporate Development
604 689 9378
Copyright © 2011 Copyright Business Wire
Followers
|
4
|
Posters
|
|
Posts (Today)
|
0
|
Posts (Total)
|
61
|
Created
|
08/23/09
|
Type
|
Free
|
Moderators |
Volume | |
Day Range: | |
Bid Price | |
Ask Price | |
Last Trade Time: |