Potash
Potash derives from the time when wood ash was stored in metal pots to create a fertiliser. It refers to fertiliser that contains potassium (K).
Potassium is widely spread around most of the world in a natural state. It is the seventh most common element that makes up the earth's crust. Many clays are rich in potassium, some contain as much as 17 percent potash. Sea water also contains potassium, as much as 390mg a litre, and up to 4 parts per million can occur in natural rain.
However, most commercial requirements for potash is derived from potash bearing rocks that are found in many parts of the world. These rocks having been formed millions of years ago as a result of ancient seas drying up. Potash used by fertiliser manufacturers is extracted from these deposits, most often sylvinite, that only needs to have the salt and other unnecessary minerals taken from it to become suitable for spreading over farm lands in the form of potash.
Potassium is vital to the existence of life be it in the form of plants or animals, including humans, and when taken in larger quantities than is naturally required it is readily excreted. In animals this is brought about via kidney function and urine and in plants via sinescent tissue contained in falling leaves, stubble left after cropping and through the plant's root system. It is therefore naturally recycled in large amounts throughout the world on a constant basis. It is an essential nutrient requirement for plants that usually contain more potassium than any other kind of nutrient including that of nitrogen.
Potash ensures nutritious and healthy plant growth and is therefore in high demand by farmers trying to ensure a healthy crop.
Uses of Potash
Potash, particularly in the form of potassium carbonate has been used by man since the beginning of time in one way or another, these uses include the following:
- Bleaching textiles
- Manufacturing of glass
- Making soap (since AD 500)
- As a fertiliser
Potash has been principally obtained over the years by the practice of leaching the ash left by sea and land plants and it was mined during the 14th century in Ethiopia. In 1767 wood ash was exported from Canada with Potash and lime (pearl ash) exports reaching 43,958 barrels by 1865. The industry involved 519 different asheries in 1871. This means of supply declined during the latter part of the 19th century when potash was produced from mineral salts in Germany.
Potash is important to use as a fertiliser because of its ability to retain water, its yield improvement capability, its nutrient value, product taste improvement, richer colour and texture results, as well as improving the plants resistance to disease. It has wide application for all types of food plants that include; palm oil, soybeans, corn, sugar, wheat and other cereals crops, rice, vegetables and fruit as well as cotton.
Australia produces little potash in its own right and is therefore a net potash importer, obtaining its needs from Canada, Taiwan and Germany. This lack of having a domestic potash production source of any size means that Australia is exposed to world market prices to satisfy its needs.
Australian Mines that produce Bauxite
Gove (NT)
Up to 600 workers employed at the Gove bauxite refinery in the Northern Territory face an uncertain future as Pacific Aluminium suspends alumina production.
Ely (QLD)
The Ely Alcan Queensland Pty Ltd agreement at the Weipa bauxite mine is due to expire in 2041 but an option will give it a further 21 years extension.
Skardon River (QLD)
Gulf Alumina acquired 100 percent of the Skardon River tenement in 2011 from its koalin mining joint partner to develop the mining of bauxite at the site
Weipa (QLD)
The Weipa bauxite mine on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland is both owned and operated by Rio Tinto Alcan.
Huntly (WA)
The Huntly mine in Western Australia is the largest bauxite mine in the world currently producing about 23 million tonnes of bauxite annually.
Willowdale (WA)
The Willowdale bauxite mine that commenced production in 1984 still processes 10 million tonnes of bauxite a year at the nearby Wagerup Refinery.
Worsley (WA)
The Worsley bauxite mine and alumina refinery in South West Western Australia employs more than 1,800 people and produces 4.6 million tonnes of alumina annually.
South Aurukun (QLD)
The South Aurukun bauxite tenements on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland are held by Gulf Alumina.
Marchinbar Island (NSW)
The Marchinbar Island bauxite deposit in far north Northern Territory could be mined to satisfy a growing demand from China in the near future.
Kwinana Refinery (WA)
The Kwinana refinery in WA employs around 1,000 direct employees with 60 percent living in the nearby towns of Rockingham, Cockburn and Kwinana.
Wagerup Refinery (WA)
The Alcoa owned Wagerup alumina refinery in W.A. has received governmental approval to lift alumina production from 2.6 to 2.65 million tonnes annually.
Pinjarra Alumina Refinery (WA)
The Pinjarra alumina refinery, near Mandurah south of Perth, is an important part of Alcoa's three refinery system in Western Australia.
Portland Aluminium Smelter (VIC)
The Portland Aluminium smelter in western Victoria, a joint venture operation between Alcoa, CITIC and Marubeni, caters solely to the Asian market.
Felicitas (WA)
The Felicitas bauxite project in Western Australia contains a bauxite resource of 220 million tonnes that will give it a life of mine of 25 years
South Of Embley (QLD)
Despite Rio Tinto placing its South of Embley bauxite project in Cape York, Queensland, on hold for 18 months it still considers it a 'good project.'
Bauxite Hills (QLD)
The Bauxite Hills Project on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland is hoping to take advantage of an expected increase in the demand for Alumina.
Bald Hill (TAS)
Australian Bauxite Limited's Bald Hill mine, in Tasmania, is to start production in December, 2014. It is the first new bauxite mine in Australia, for over 35 years.
Urquhart Point (QLD)
The Urquhart Point Heavy Mineral Sands Project in Cape York in Far North Queensland is expected to begin production in mid-2015.
Amrun (QLD)
The Amrun bauxite project in far north Queensland, that was previously known as the 'South of Embley' project has been approved for development and expected to be in production by 2019.
