BHP seeks permits to build mineral export facility at Port of Grays Harbor

The proposed BHP facility is planned for the Port of Grays Harbor’s Terminal 3, which has over 150 acres of available uplands for development and access to Class I railroads, the Washington state seaport confirmed Oct. 13.    Global resource company BHP has submitted local, state and federal permit applications, along with comprehensive supporting environmental studies, to construct a potash export facility at the Port of Grays Harbor, the Washington state seaport confirmed Oct. 13.
   The proposed facility would be at the port’s Terminal 3 in West Hoquiam, which has over 150 acres of available uplands for development and access to Class I railroads via the Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad.
   Potash, a naturally occurring mineral, is a key ingredient in agricultural and garden fertilizers. The world’s largest known reserves of it are located in Saskatchewan Canada, where BHP is developing a project to supply potash to emerging markets like China, India and Southeast Asia where economic growth is driving increased agricultural production.
   BHP would potentially construct its export facility in a phased approach to eventually handle up to eight million tons of potash per year, which would be mined and processed in Saskatchewan, Canada, then transported to Terminal 3 via rail where it would be unloaded and stored in a fully enclosed warehouse before being shipped overseas via bulk ocean-going vessels.
   BHP says it would also build a new berth and shiploader adjacent to Terminal 3 as part of the proposed project.
   “We are extremely excited for the potential investment, job creation and economic impacts this project will bring to our community,” Grays Harbor Port Commission President Jack Thompson said in a statement. “While there are several permits and approvals needed from various local, state and federal agencies, we are optimistic they will be able to navigate the permitting process without delay.”