Redcar Bulk Terminal and Sirius Minerals sign polyhalite handling deal

As work progresses on the Woodsmith mine for the extraction of polyhalite, Sirius Minerals has secured a long-term lease for an area of land on the southern side of the RBT site. This will be used to establish a large warehousing facility for the storage of polyhalite from the mine.

In addition, RBT has agreed a long-term material handling agreement to export up to 10 million tpy of polyhalite from its own facility.

Garry O’Malley, RBT’s General Manager, said: “This is excellent news for Teesside and we’re delighted to be working with Sirius Minerals on a project of such regional magnitude.

“It’s another significant step forward in the continued resurgence of RBT as a key partner in the regeneration of the South Tees site and wider Tees Valley economy.

“The closure of SSI clearly hit us hard but it’s not in the nature of Teesside people to give up. RBT is an integral part of British Steel’s UK operations, and this new business more than justifies their continuing investment as RBT is now back in profit with a healthy business pipeline.

“We’ve a hugely flexible operation and, coupled with ongoing investment in our port equipment and rail infrastructure, we’ve diversified our offer and continue to secure significant business in new markets. And we’re now working in partnership with a growing number of companies who see the incredible opportunities our business, and the Tees estuary, offer.

“Over the last two and a half years, many new businesses at RBT have benefited from operating from one of the best deep water facilities in the UK and we only see this number growing. By enabling them to trade to and from the region we’re helping bring millions of pounds into the Teesside economy and creating valuable employment.

“We’ve great confidence in the future of this business and this site, borne out of announcements like today’s. British Steel has ambitious plans for RBT as part of their growing Teesside operations and looks forward to continuing to play a significant role in the continuing success of this site and this region.”

Located near Whitby, North Yorkshire, Sirius Minerals’ state-of-the-art Woodsmith mine will target the extraction of polyhalite, a unique type of potash and a multi-nutrient fertilizer.

The project area contains the largest, highest grade resource of polyhalite to be found anywhere in the world which will be extracted via two mine shafts. It will be transported outside of the National Park to Teesside on a conveyer belt system in an underground tunnel. It will then be granulated at a materials handling facility, with the majority being exported to overseas markets.

Sirius Minerals is aiming to achieve first product from the mine by the end of 2021, ramping up to an initial production capacity of 10 million tpy and then full production of 20 million tpy.

Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, comments: “We are pleased to enter into this arrangement, which reduces the complexity of our construction programme and ultimately helps to simplify our stage two financing plan, which is being finalised over the coming months.

“By working with a local partner, we can develop our project and also deliver benefits to an existing established business in the Tees Valley. The RBT facility has been underutilised since the closure of the steel works and this agreement will ultimately help us deliver tremendous economic benefits for the region.”

Redcar MP Anna Turley said: “The Sirius Minerals project is a huge investment in our area and this handling agreement with RBT is another boost for their excellent facilities on the Tees.”

Councillor Sue Jeffrey, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This announcement is great news and is further confirmation that Sirius is here for the long-term. It’s also a further a demonstration of the jobs and growth potential at South Tees. I would like to wish everyone involved the best of luck as this crucial project takes another important step forward.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/10072018/redcar-bulk-terminal-and-sirius-minerals-sign-polyhalite-handling-deal/