POLYHALITE ORE
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Production at Boulby has transitioned from potash to polyhalite—marketed by ICL as Polysulphate–a unique mineral that offers four key nutrients that crops need.
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 is a global leader in the production of polyhalite, an organic fertilizer which ICL markets as Polysulphate, as well as rock-salt. Potash production in ICL Boulby was 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 mining Potash to our new operation and it required 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 re-invent our operation.”
Andrew Fulton, Vice President and General Manager of ICL Boulby
Polyhalite is now the vital ingredient in high quality, multi-nutrient fertilizers marketed by ICL as Polysulphate. As well as producing significantly higher yields for farmers, polyhalite has a much lower carbon footprint than many other fertilizers. Products using polyhalite produced at ICL Boulby are now being sold around the world on five continents. 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 yields in a huge range of crops.
ICL is the only company mining polyhalite globally.The current capacity of the mine is about 1 million tonnes per year.
In addition to its mining activities, ICL UK 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. The 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.
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A UK subsidiary which is a part of the Innovative Ag Solutions segment (hereinafter – Everris Limited), has peat mines in the UK (Creca, Nutberry and Douglas Water). Peat is used as a component to produce professional growing media. All sites are owned by Everris Limited. The current extraction permits are granted by the local authorities and are renewed after examining the renewal applications. The extraction permits for Nutberry and Douglas Water were granted until the end of 2024 and until 2037 for Creca.
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. To date, ICL has estimated 1 billion tonnes of polyhalite resources available at ICL Boulby, and the site is the current sole producer of polyhalite.
Read MoreAt ICL Boulby, the primary function of the site is mining operations, and 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 significant interest in nature conservation. There are important areas, both adjacent to, and within the operation, in which important habitats and species flourish, perhaps unknown to many that work on the site or live nearby. ICL Boulby is committed to encouraging the success of these areas for years to come.
Read MoreEven though the Boulby Mine is deep underground, it is an integral part of its neighbouring communities.
ICL Boulby has also re-started its young apprentices’ programs. Initial projects were already successful with the implementation of new infrastructure at ICL Boulby.
