Potash Code of Practice progress report

1.0 Background

In 2017, in collaboration with Fertilizer Canada and Industry, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published the Code of Practice for the Management of PM_2.5 Emissions in the Potash Sector in Canada. Fine particulate matter with a mean aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM_2.5) is an air pollutant released by the potash sector and is listed in Schedule 1, Part 2, of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The objective of the Code is to identify and promote best practices in the Canadian potash industry with respect to fine particulate matter emissions, with an aim to facilitate continual improvement in environmental performance for PM_2.5 in this sector.

In addition, it should be noted that:

• the Code was developed as part of the qualitative Base-Level Industrial Emissions Requirements (BLIERs) of ECCC’s Air Quality Management System (AQMS)
• the implementation of the Code is done so on a voluntary basis, and all potash companies are currently reporting as described in the Code
• the Code also recognizes that no one control technology is universally appropriate for every application due to the variability and uniqueness in operating conditions from site to site and between various processes within each site

Finally, it should be noted that the potash industry, which is located entirely in Saskatchewan, is currently regulated by, and in compliance with, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment with regards to its PM_2.5 emissions through the Saskatchewan Environmental Code.

2.0 Key elements of the Code of Practice

To demonstrate the degree of implementation of the Code and to further monitor levels of PM_2.5 emissions, potash facilities voluntarily submit annual reports that contain total emissions of PM_2.5 by source, as well as the methodology used to quantify those emissions. Facilities also submit details regarding the implementation of the recommendations, applicable to their facilities, every two years. These reports are due on June 1st each year.

3.0 Five year review

This report is the first review undertaken since publication of the Code and includes data reported by facilities for the 2017 to 2022 calendar years. The key components of the review include analysing and summarizing information on PM_2.5 emissions during the review period as well as actions taken by applicable facilities to control or minimize PM_2.5 emissions. The goal of the 5-year review is to assess the performance and effectiveness of the Code and continue collaboration with industry on the management of PM_2.5 emissions.

4.0 Sector results and analysis

Table 1 below summarizes the desired outcomes of the Code along with the results. These desired outcomes are consistent with the overall objectives of the Code in that implementing the Code should, when applicable, result in controlling and minimizing PM_2.5 emissions for the facilities concerned, while facilitating continuous improvement in environmental performance in the sector.

As noted above, the desired outcomes also take into account that no one control technology is universally appropriate for every application, and facilities are not required to make major technological changes as the Code is voluntary in nature.

Tables 2 to 5 show PM_2.5 release data from the potash sector between 2016 and 2022, this data is from the National Pollutant Release Inventory. In general, the emissions of PM_2.5 have increased slightly over time.

Total emissions are closely tied to total production, which varies year to year given global market demands. Figure 1 shows the overall emission intensity trend in the potash sector, calculated using production data from Natural Resources Canada’s Annual Statistics of Mineral Production. The figure also shows how the emission intensity reduction appears to correlate with the increasing percentage of implemented recommendations. Even though the code of practice was published in late 2017, the implementation of some recommendations started in 2016. Significant emission intensity reductions are observed starting in 2016 and over the next 2 years. The emission intensity then remains relatively stable. The emission intensity has shown a reduction of ~20% when comparing the 2016 baseline year to the average emission intensity from 2018-2022.

Tables 6 and 7 show the status of applicable recommendations at each facility as of 2022. It is important to note that facilities are not expected to implement all recommendations as applicability depends on site specific processes and conditions. ECCC will continue to work with industry to understand the status of implementation as well as applicability of each recommendation to confirm the implementation statuses outlined in Table 5.

To date, the status of implementation of the recommendations is as follows:

• 78% of applicable recommendations in the Code have been implemented
• 11 out of 12 facilities have fully or partially implemented more than 75% of the applicable recommendations

As noted above, the emission intensity reduction appears to correlate with the increasing percentage of implemented recommendations. While acknowledging this is the first review of the Code, other factors that may influence PM_2.5 emissions include:

• recommendations remaining to be implemented may have an increased impact on PM_2.5 reductions
• different recommendations may be required to see further reductions in PM_2.5 (Note: there are limitations to achievable emission reductions considering that facilities are not required to make major technological changes)
• variations in production trends, including increased global demand for the product

Figure 1: Annual PM_2.5 emissions intensity and percentage of implemented recommendations for the Canadian potash sector (2016 to 2022)

5.0 Conclusion

The sector showed a 20% reduction in emission intensity between the 2016 baseline and the average emission intensity from 2018-2022. Since then, the trends for PM_2.5 emission intensity have been relatively stable.

Continued monitoring and evaluation into the effectiveness of the recommendations within the Code will promote continuous improvement and further overall effectiveness. Additional analysis, data collection, and engagement with industry will continue in future review periods.

6.0 Contact information

Mining and Processing Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3
Email: mmp-tmm@ec.gc.ca