Murray Wood: Western separation talk borders on the absurd
Western separation isn't new, as Murray Wood reminds us. From fringe parties in the 1980s to bizarre border ideas today,...
Less than a year after reporting that construction was ahead of schedule, BHP now says its Jansen potash project near Humboldt will face major delay and a significant cost increase.
According to BHP’s 2025 operational review, the project’s first stage, originally scheduled for completion in 2026, has been pushed to mid-2027. The company also flagged a cost overrun of up to $1.7 billion, raising the projected total from $5.7 billion to between $7.0 and $7.4 billion. BHP cited inflation, scope changes and execution challenges as reasons for the setback.
Additionally, BHP reported record copper and iron ore output in fiscal 2025.
Read more:
- Jansen potash mine ahead of schedule, more growth planned
- BHP commits $6.4 billion to Jansen potash mine
- BHP’s Jansen Potash mine ramping up production
The Jansen mine is a cornerstone of BHP’s efforts to diversify beyond copper and iron ore, aiming to become the world’s largest potash operation.
In September 2024, BHP’s asset president for potash, Karina Gistelinck, told 650 CKOM the project was “ahead of schedule and on budget.” At the time, she highlighted safety, community growth and a ramp-up in hiring for the mine’s first 550 permanent roles.
The BHP Jansen potash mine, located about 140 kilometres east of Saskatoon. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)
Last September, optimism surrounded the Jansen potash project, not only because construction was ahead of schedule but also because of the strong local partnerships it was helping build. At that time, BHP committed $500,000 to the Sylvite Four-Six Regional Development Incorporation (S4-6), a regional partnership that includes Indigenous communities, Humboldt and surrounding municipalities.
The Government of Saskatchewan also announced $250,000 in support of the initiative. S4-6 is focused on preparing the region for growth through investments in housing, child care, health care and education.
Gistelinck said the project was about more than just construction. “I really believe that Sylvite Four-Six is essential to enable that additional work that needs to be done so that the growth that Jansen brings isn’t just for BHP, but for all,” she said.
Saskatchewan Minister of Trade and Export Jeremy Harrison praised the collaboration, calling it an example of what can happen when multiple levels of government and industry align their goals.
“I’ve worked in more than five mining jurisdictions and I’ve never seen the type of symbiotic relationship that’s taking place here,” Gistelinck said at the time.
