Minerals potash

The main focus of our mineral interests is on the extraction of marine aggregates such as sand and gravel. However, we do also have interests in salt and, more significantly, potash mined from our land.

Potash

Potash

Potash is a generic term for a variety of potassium bearing minerals but it is Sylvinite that is primarily mined in the UK. Sylvinite is a mixture of potassium chloride and salt in varying proportions. Around 90 per cent of UK potash is used in the production of fertiliser with the remainder being used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, around 60 per cent of all UK production is exported to Europe each year.

Boulby potash

Boulby potash

We are responsible for the deposits of potash occurring beneath the UK seabed. We issue a lease for its extraction and each year we receive revenue based on the amount of potash extracted from the offshore section of the mine.

The Boulby potash mine, situated on the North Yorkshire coast, is the UK's only commercial potash mine and the most important non-hydrocarbon mineral operation in Britain. The mine, which started production in 1973 and is currently managed by Cleveland Potash Ltd, employs over 800 workers. Mining operations cover some 13.5 km, reaching approximately 5 km offshore.

York potash

York potash

During 2011, York Potash - part of Sirius Minerals - signed an agreement with us for the rights to explore for potash under the seabed off the coast of Hunsdale, situated to the south of Boulby. The drilling of test boreholes marks the first phase in the possible development of a potash mine situated between Scarborough and Whitby.