POLYHALITE ORE
600
kt
ICL Boulby | UK
ICL’s Polysulphate mining operations in the United Kingdom are conducted by its subsidiary, ICL Boulby, located in the North York Moors National Park in Northern England. ICL is increasing the production of Polysulphate, a unique mineral containing four nutrients (Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium and Magnesium) which can be used as a cost-effective natural fertiliser, as its production does not require chemical processing. ICL’s mining operations in the UK are conducted both underground and beneath the North Sea. The mine’s 1,100m depth makes it the deepest in Great Britain. \
PRODUCTS & RAW MATERIALS
kt = THOUSANDS OF TONS
POLYSULPHATE
635
kt
POTASH ORE
0
kt
Potash production at Boulby came to an end and the transition to polyhalite—marketed as Polysulphate– a unique mineral which offers four key nutrients crops needed to grow, became more productive.
ICL’s mining operations in the UK are conducted both underground and beneath the North Sea, pursuant to mining leases and mineral extraction licenses. ICL Boulby serves as a UK leader in the production of polyhalite, an organic fertilizer which ICL markets as Polysulphate, potash and rock-salt. Potash production in the United Kingdom has halted completely in mid-2018. Since mining operations began in 1968, there has been extensive excavation of the site resulting in over 1,000 kms of tunnels.
It was a massive transition to move from potash mining to our new operation and needed substantial investment by our parent company ICL. When we knew we had to change our business product we were resolute in our determination to support our local community and reinvent our operation.”
Andrew Fulton, Vice President and General Manager of ICL Boulby
Polyhalite is now the vital ingredient in high quality multi-nutrient fertilisers marketed by ICL as Polysulphate. As well as producing significantly higher yields for farmers, it has a much lower ‘carbon footprint’ than many other fertilisers. Products using Polyhalite produced at ICL Boulby, are now being sold around the world on five continents. From paddy fields in Indonesia to pepper plants in China, from potatoes in Wisconsin and Inner Mongolia to maize and wheat in the UK, from sugarcane in Brazil and pineapples in Malaysia, ICL Boulby’s revolutionary Polyhalite-based fertilizers are proving a winner across the world. With over 300 trials conducted, the multi-nutrient mineral produced at the world’s first and only Polyhalite mine has been shown to deliver major improvements in growth and yield in a huge range of crops.
ICL is the only company mining polyhalite globally, and with our expertise, we plan to mine 1 million tonnes per year by 2020.
In addition to the mining activities in ICL UK, it has sponsored, funded and hosted a variety of PhD theses on topics such as ground surface deformation, stability and design of excavations, and mining and microbial ecology. Boulby Mine has proved to be a special case study for research projects and literature on these areas of research. Read more about ICL Boulby’s history and academic research activity.
ICL is aware that the current situation regarding COVID-19 is an extremely serious public health matter and as such ICL is committed to protect the health of its employees, customers, suppliers and partners. ICL Boulby is updating its employees on the current situation.
Read MoreMeet Our People: Scott Garnett – Agronomist
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Discovering polyhalite
ICL Boulby’s exploration geologists have identified and are continuing to discover abundant reserves of the multi-nutrient mineral Polyhalite. Polyhalite is safe to mine and is present in sufficient quantities to invest in the development of its efficient extraction. So far, ICL has estimated 1 billion tonnes of polyhalite resources available at ICL Boulby, making the site the sole producer of polyhalite worldwide.
Read MoreBiodiversity @ ICL Boulby
At ICL Boulby, the primary function of the site is mining operations, and indeed the infrastructure associated with those operations are a visible part of the landscape at Boulby. However, adjacent to the mining facilities and within ICL’s operational area, are non-developed turfs where there is also a significant nature conservation interest. There are important areas, both next to and within the operational important habitats and species flourish, perhaps unknown to many that work on the site and live nearby.
Read MoreBelow and Above Ground - Engaging the Community
Even though the Boulby mine is deep underground, it is an integral part of its neighboring communities.
ICL Boulby is also re-starting young apprentices programs. Initial projects were already successful with the implementation of new infrastructure in ICL Boulby.
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Sustainability Reporting Disclosures:
Disclosure: 301-1
