Abstract
The Middle Devonian-age Saskatchewan potash deposit represents approximately half of the proven global potash reserve. Salts of the Saskatchewan Basin were laid down in a basin of deposition referred to as the Elk Point Basin that consists of multiple marine transgression-regression cycles and multi-stage marine basins sitting in northwest-southeast direction. In south Saskatchewan, there are three evaporite cycles thinly deposited within the Saskatchewan Basin during the Middle Devonian age. The lowermost evaporite termed as “the Prairie Evaporite” is characterized by four potash members representing the largest potash deposit all over the world. The Prairie Evaporite accumulated of carbonate, anhydrite, halite and sylvite was deposited due to the combined effect of repeated transgressions, intensive evaporation and sea level lowering. Some iconic markers are used for prospecting, such as “the second red bed” and the Dawson Bay Group. Researching in the geological structure and the subsurface stratigarphy has great support to the exploration and development of local potash.
Published Version
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