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A Teesside polyhalite mine employing hundreds has reached an "all time" sales high.

Boulby mine is currently the world's only polyhalite producer - until rival firm Sirius Minerals' £3.5bn mine comes into production.

Owner ICL, which switched its entire operation to mining polyhalite last year, has recorded a 30% sales increase as demand for the "ground-breaking" fertiliser grows worldwide.

ICL Boulby vice president Andrew Fulton, said: "This year is very important for Boulby as we step up polyhalite production towards the target of a million tonnes a year by the end of 2020.

"The latest sales figures show the scale of the increasing demand for this ground-breaking mineral, which is only produced at Boulby, and which is benefiting growth and yield for farmers in so many different parts of the world.

“But what we actually do at Boulby is just part of the story…the efforts of our staff at Tees Dock, together with those involved in research and development, marketing and sales, is equally important in delivering our targets."

The figures, he said, reflected the "united efforts" of the entire workforce at Boulby, which is one of Teesside's largest employers.

(Image: Gazette)

Products using the multi-nutrient mineral, marketed as Polysulphate, are boosting food production across five continents.

Tees Dock Terminal Manager Mark Wilson said: "In March we handled 75 train loads coming from the mine and vessels transporting products to and from places as far afield as China, Brazil, Spain, Antwerp, Amsterdam and, nearer home, Southampton and Invergordon.

“In general the first quarter of the year has been extremely busy and demand for Boulby products is continuing…for example in the last few days we have been loading 20,000 tonnes onto the bulk carrier Western Boheme for shipment to Brazil."

(Image: Gazette)

Switching from potash to polyhalite posed "significant challenges" for Tees Dock, he added.

"Polyhalite is a heavier product which handles very differently from potash and we are investing significantly in upgrading our facilities and equipment to handle it without negative impacts on safety or the environment.”

Meanwhile Sirius Minerals unveiled plans to raise £3bn to fund the next stage of its North Yorkshire mine this week.

Work is continuing on the firm’s Woodsmith mine, south of Whitby , from where product will be transported on an underground conveyor to Teesside.

(Image: Sirius)

Sirius currently employs 800 people and says it will create 1,000 long-term jobs at peak production.

It expects to reach the polyhalite seam in 2021 and to be producing 10m tonnes of fertiliser a year by 2024, supporting more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs in total.

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