Potash

Potash refers to a variety of mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. Potash is mostly used as a soil fertilizer in agriculture, which include potassium carbonate (K2CO3), potassium chloride (KCl), potassium sulfate or sulfate of potash (SOP), and potassium magnesium sulfate (SOPM) or langbeinite. Potash is also used in metal electroplating, drilling fluids, steel-heat treating, medicine, water treatment, soap manufacturing, cement, food products, textiles, ceramic, and other industrial applications. When combined with silica sand, potash is used to produce water glass for use in paints and arc welding electrodes. Potash is mostly extracted from evaporitic deposits formed in sea water and lakes. It can also be extracted from brines and can be manufactured by crystallization from solution, flotation, or electrostatic separation from suitable minerals. Potash ores are typically rich in potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl) and other salts and clays. The global potash demand is driven by strong growth in end-consumer industries. Potash is on Canada’s 2021 critical minerals list, meaning that it is essential to Canada’s economic security.