Mining and Manufacturing Process
Collectively, ANSAC’s member companies operate five plants along the Green River Basin. They are major employers of the people in this area and contribute significantly to its economic base. Mines operate year-round, and 24 hours per day.
Converting raw trona into usable soda ash is a multi-step process. First, trona ore is precision crushed and screened to prepare it for processing. Then, it is heated in a kiln to eliminate unwanted gases – this heating process transforms trona ore into crude sodium carbonate.
Water is added, the crude sodium carbonate is dissolved and the resulting solution is filtered for purification. The water is then evaporated out and soda ash crystal slurry is formed. Remaining water is separated from the soda ash crystals through a centrifuge, and crystals are sent to rotary driers. The final soda ash product is sent to storage bins until it is ready to be shipped.