Potash: An Inside Account of Saskatchewan's Pink Gold

by John Burton

In Saskatchewan, politics and potash are continuously, inextricably intertwined. The province is the largest single producer of potash on earth, accounting for about a quarter of the world’s total production. The industry has played a significant role in the provincial economy for over 40 years and continues to contribute to Saskatchewan’s growth. Recoverable reserves of potash are well over 100 billion tons.

With global markets currently in upheaval, Potash explores the interface between politics and the industry, the question of returns to the people of the province, and considers new developments that portend changes to the existing state of affairs. Written by an insider who helped nationalize the industry in the 1970s, John Burton expertly integrates behind-the-scenes accounts of the major players, archival material, and interview sources to produce a book that “cuts through the bull” and adds to our understanding of the world’s greatest fertilizer.

210 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2013

Reviews

[Brahm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the book for me. I was hoping for more details on potash mining, processing, metallurgy, etc, and some interesting stories from the development of mine sites in Saskatchewan.

This is more of a political history, with who-was-in-what-office-at-what-time dominating much of the early chapters. I got 50 pages in and skimmed the rest.