Small fire at Mosaic potash mine forces employee evacuation

Employees at a Mosaic potash mine near Esterhazy had to be evacuated following a small fire over the weekend.

Mosaic Company spokesperson Sarah Fedorchuk said there was a report of smoke underground at the K2 potash mine around midnight on Saturday.

Seventy-seven employees were taken to refuge stations within the mine — areas that are blocked off from the mine and have an air supply and water.

She said the fire was put out within two hours of the fire being reported.

“As we were getting further into the mine, the air quality wasn’t quite what we wanted it to be so as we did some ventilation and everything we asked people to stay put.”

She said the employees were evacuated from the mine.

The damage from the fire was minimal and workers returned to operations later Saturday evening.

An investigation is underway into what caused the fire.