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Boulby mine has announced record-breaking production figures for November.

The mine, which is East Cleveland's largest employer, is approaching the end of its first full year since switching to mining polyhalite.

It claims its fertiliser product is used by farmers across five continents and demand is growing.

The mine hoisted and processed more than 75,000 tonnes in November with "30 hours to spare", putting it "well on track" towards its target of hitting a million tonnes next year and up to three millions tonnes by 2030.

(Image: Gazette)

Andrew Fulton, general manager and vice president of ICL Boulby, said: "This has been a vital year for everyone involved with Boulby - the workforce at the mine, our distribution and processing terminal at Teesport and all those involved in marketing and developing a growing range of polyhalite-based products.

“It is their united effort which enabled us to reach our November hoist target of 75,000 tonnes with 30 hours to spare.

"Achieving the rapid progress we have made throughout the year has involved everyone being prepared to meet the challenges of accepting new operating techniques and processes, coupled with strong support and investment from our parent company.

“As the world’s first and only polyhalite mine, we have learned many lessons in developing the potential of this revolutionary mineral which means we are in a strong position to move forward in securing the future of our business, providing valuable jobs and continuing to make a major contribution to the East Cleveland area and the wider Tees Valley.”

ICL decided to make the transition to polyhalite, marketed as Polysulphate - which contains four nutrients vital to plant growth - once reserves of its old potash product neared exhaustion.

Potash had been mined for more than 40 years at the East Cleveland site.

Rival firm Sirius Minerals is building a Teesside polyhalite processing plant and a multi-billion pound mine several miles south of Whitby.