A partnership between Michigan Potash & Salt Co. LLC and Group1 Inc. would create the nation’s largest potash mine in Michigan’s Osceola County to support the growth of industrial batteries by using the potassium-rich mineral.

The company behind Michigan’s proposed potash mine has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Austin, Texas-based potassium-ion battery developer, laying the groundwork to use the mined minerals for potassium-ion batteries, according to a news release. The batteries would fuel AI data centers and their massive power needs.

“Together, (Michigan Potash & Salt) and Group1 represent the bookends of a new American potash ecosystem − linking domestic raw-material extraction with advanced battery manufacturing to anchor a secure, sovereign and scalable U.S. energy-technology supply chain,” company officials stated.

Michigan Potash’s proposed mine would draw almost 800,000 tons of potash, an agricultural fertilizer, from a facility in mid-Michigan’s Osceola County.

Here’s what to know about potash mining in Michigan.

What’s happening with Michigan Potash?

Michigan Potash is partnering with Group1 Inc., an Austin-based startup, which is developing a potassium-ion battery that it says will be safer than lithium-ion batteries and will help America meet its exponentially growing power needs without critical minerals from foreign sources not always friendly to the U.S.

“From agriculture to energy, we’re proving that the same element that powers our crops can power our critical infrastructure,” said Group1 CEO Alexander Girau in a release.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the companies will explore not only long-term supply and co-investment opportunities, but strategic links between Michigan Potash’s production and processing infrastructure and Group1’s advanced potassium-ion battery manufacturing. The agreement envisions Group1 battery backup systems in use at the potash mine in Evart.

What is potash?

Potash is a trade name for potassium-bearing minerals typically used for agricultural fertilizer, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management said. Potash includes potassium nitrate, potassium chloride and potassium sulfate.

Potassium-ion batteries are considered an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

Where is potash found in Michigan?

Large reserves of high-grade potash are more than a mile and a half underground in north-central Michigan.

The Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., the American multinational food processing and commodities trading giant, also has partnered with Michigan Potash to sell its fertilizer directly to farmers and the U.S. agricultural industry.

What is the Michigan Potash project?

Michigan Potash is seeking to open a potash mine that would extract nearly 800,000 tons per year of potash and 1 million tons per year of table salt. The mine, which would use a fracking-like process, has been in the works for more than a decade.

The fluids would dissolve salt and potash, which would be pumped back to the surface. The process would require millions of gallons of water.

Where would Michigan Potash’s mine be located?

The proposed potash mine would be near Schofield Road and 120th Avenue in Evart Township in Osceola County, in mid-Michigan.

Where do Michigan Potash’s permits stand?

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Air Quality Division last approved  an air permit “to install” for Michigan Potash on March 28, according to the MiEnviro Portal map.

The status of wetland permits could not be found on the state’s interactive map.

The Detroit Free Press contributed.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.