Regina Leader Post
August 24, 1957. p. 26
The world’s most modern and efficient potash plant in a few years will become a valuable part of Saskatchewan’s landscape, near the Esterhazy area, Louis Ware, Chicago president of the International Minerals and Chemical Corp. (Canada) and its United States parent company said Friday.
Mr. Ware addressed government, Regina civic and business leaders at a luncheon held by the company in the Hotel Saskatchewan attended by about 70 people.
Welcoming the future industry and its executive officers to Saskatchewan, Premier T. C. Douglas told the gathering that the new $20,000,000 plant and industry would increase the province’s wealth production and employment potential and add a new notch to the diversification of industry which in the past was relegated solely to agriculture.
Mr. Ware said continued development of Saskatchewan’s ore reserves by International and other companies will make the North American continent self-sufficient in its need for potash for centuries to come.
Canada and the U.S. will then account for a major part of the world potash supply, he said.
Before 1925, when potash was discovered in Carlsbad, N.M., the American continent was entirely dependent on Europe for its potash and during the First World War, with European sources shut off, North America suffered serious shortages of the vital material, he said.
“Now, 40 years later, we have supplies sufficient for domestic use and export to all markets in the world,” he said.
About 90 per cent of current potash production is used in fertilizers and the remaining 10 per cent in industrial chemicals.
The potassium or potash is an all-important ingredient in plant food: providing a greater crop yield; helps produce starch imparts disease resistance to crops; makes for stronger stalks; increases the plumpness of grain and seed; has an important influence on the intake of other crop nutrients, Mr. Ware said.
The growing world population, the heavy withdrawals of soil minerals and advanced methods of farming all point toward an ever-increasing demand for potash, he said.
Recounting the history of international’s potash discovery at Esterhazy, Mr. Ware said that in 1954 when other companies were locating the mineral in western Saskatchewan, International, guided by its geologists and experience, moved to the eastern section and hit paydirt.
Although the works now is well supplied with potash, International through sound economical production and marketing, hopes to compete successfully in marketing its product on a world basis, he said.
Mr. Ware congratulated the provincial government for its foresight in passing laws that permit withdrawals, exploration and leasing of lands on terms that make it possible for people experienced in the potash industry to come to Saskatchewan and take the risks inherent in a new mining venture.
Government and civic leaders attending the luncheon were; Lt-Gov. W. J. Patterson; J. H. Sturdy, assistant to the premier; Education Minister W. S. Lloyd; Labor Minister C.C.Williams; Mineral Resources Minister J. H. Brockelbank; Municipal Affairs Minister L. F. MacIntosh; Public Health Minister J. W. Erb; Provincial Treasurer C. M. Fines; Highways Minister J. T. Douglas; Provincial Secretary Russ Brown; Speaker J. A. Darling; Provincial Liberal leader A. H. McDonald; Ken More; Martin Kelln; Zane Bakun, community planning director, D. H. F. Black, industrial development office director; J. K. Swanson, chairman of Saskatchewan Power Commission; D. J. Sheridan, mining and lands administration; E. G. Miller, director of industrial minerals Mayor T. H. Cowburn; Esterhazy Mayor J. C. Kacsmar and other representatives of business and industry.
