Buffalo Potash Eyes Major Mining Project Near Lumsden

May 15, 2026

Dan Bernier

A proposed potash development northwest of Regina is beginning to attract growing attention across the Lumsden area, as residents and local officials watch closely to see what impact the project could eventually have on transportation, infrastructure, and the surrounding region.

The project, known as the Disley Project, is being advanced by Buffalo Potash Corp. and is located in the broader potash corridor between the Bethune and Belle Plaine areas, not far from Highway 11 and within driving distance of Lumsden. The company describes the site as being strategically positioned near existing rail lines, highways, natural gas infrastructure, and some of Saskatchewan’s major potash operations.

Buffalo Potash has spent the past several years conducting exploration work and technical studies on the property, including seismic programs, drilling activity, and analysis of historical core samples originally collected decades ago. The company has also been moving through the early economic evaluation stages of the project, including the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment, often referred to in the mining industry as a PEA.

The proposed mine would use what is known as solution mining, a method already used by several potash operations in Saskatchewan. Instead of traditional underground mining, heated water is injected underground to dissolve potash deposits, which are then brought back to the surface for processing.

While the mine itself remains in the study and planning phase, much of the local discussion has centered around what large-scale industrial development in the area could mean for traffic and transportation along the Highway 11 corridor.

One of the biggest topics residents have been hearing about involves the possibility of a future underpass or grade-separated crossing tied to rail infrastructure servicing the project. At this point, no finalized public design or approved construction plan has been released showing exactly how an underpass would be built, where it would be located, or what the final traffic configuration would look like. However, transportation upgrades are commonly associated with large potash developments due to the enormous amount of rail traffic required to move product across North America and overseas markets.

Existing potash mines in Saskatchewan rely heavily on dedicated rail systems capable of handling long unit trains carrying thousands of tonnes of product. Previous projects in the region, including nearby operations at Bethune and Belle Plaine, required major infrastructure work involving rail spurs, crossings, bridges, and extensive earth-moving projects.

That history has fueled speculation and concern among some local residents about what future infrastructure changes could eventually look like around Highway 11 and surrounding municipal roads if the Buffalo Potash project advances further.

Highway 11 is already one of the busiest transportation corridors in the region, serving commuters, commercial traffic, tourists, and residents travelling between Regina and communities further north. Any future industrial rail crossing in the area would likely require careful planning involving provincial transportation officials, railway companies, and surrounding municipalities.

At the same time, supporters of the proposed development point to the potential economic benefits the project could bring to Saskatchewan. Potash remains one of the province’s largest resource industries, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the provincial economy through exports, taxation, and construction activity. Large industrial developments can also create demand for contractors, service industries, suppliers, transportation companies, and temporary construction labor.

Still, for many people living in and around the valley, questions remain about how future growth could affect the character of the region, local traffic flow, emergency access, and long-term infrastructure demands.

For now, Buffalo Potash remains in the development and evaluation stage, and significant regulatory approvals, environmental review processes, engineering work, and infrastructure planning would still need to occur before any large-scale mine construction could move ahead.

As more information becomes publicly available, the River Valley Podcast will continue following developments connected to the proposed Buffalo Potash project and what it could mean for communities throughout the valley region.