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Hall of Fame
IMC Potash
IMC has been active in New Mexico for over 64 years. The IMC Underground Potash Mine in Carlsbad, New Mexico began production in 1939 at 2100tons per day and still producing today at a rate of 25,000 tons per day. IMC mines Sylvite (KCL) and Langbeinite (2MgS04 K2S04)ores from the Salado Salt Formation of the Permian Basin of Southeast New Mexico. These are refined to produce fertilizer and animal feed products. The Langbeinite ore is mined only in Carlsbad and sold world wide as a specialty product.
In 1936 Union Potash and Chemical, working with International Agricultural Corporation, began sinking a shaft near Carlsbad. In 1940, IAC acquired a majority interest in Union Potash and the first carload of refined potash was shipped in October. In 1941, International Agricultural Corporation and Union Potash & Chemical Company merged and changed their name to International Minerals & Chemical Corporation (IMC). During World War II, the Carlsbad area supplied the majority of national consumption of potash with IMC’s plant also producing magnesium chloride. In 1943, IMC was presented with the Army-Navy “E” Award for its outstanding contribution to the war effort.
Production continued to grow over the years reaching today’s current production of approximately 8.0 million ore tons annually. IMC has a long history of mining in the Carlsbad area and will continue for many more years.
IMC Potash was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on September 24, 2004.
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