Sulphur producers form export group

A new marketing organization has been formed by 27 Canadian sulphur producers.

Prism Sulphur Corp. began selling western Canadian sulphur to markets outside of North America as of Jan. 1. Prism will initially operate out of offices in Calgary and Vancouver, until its principal business activities can be consolidated in Calgary.

The organization’s board of directors includes nine representatives of the shareholder companies. Among the 27 shareholder members is Conwest Exploration (TSE), which has oil and gas interests in addition to its mining assets.

Canada is the world’s largest exporter of elemental sulphur. For 1991, offshore Canadian sulphur exports were estimated to total about 4.7 million tonnes, worth about $400 million.

In western Canada, sulphur is derived mainly from the processing of natural gas, crude oil and bitumen. Elemental sulphur is used primarily as a raw material in the production of phosphate fertilizers.