Sirius Minerals announces Chinese deal and new director
SIRIUS Minerals, which is behind plans for a huge potash mine near Whitby, has announced the arrival of a new non-executive director as it revealed an agreement with a major Chinese group.
The company has appointed Keith Clarke CBE, former CEO of WS Atkins as a non-executive director to replace Sir David Higgins who is stepping down due to other work commitments.
Mr Clarke, 61, was CEO of WS Atkins for eight years to July 2011 and previously held CEO roles with Skanska UK and Kvaerner Construction Group.
Sir David Higgins steps down given his recent appointment as chairman of HS2, the high speed rail project, and his current commitments with Network Rail.
The news came as Sirius said it has agreed 500,000 tonnes per annum of new sales commitments from a Chinese agricultural business, bringing the total to 4.28m tonnes per annum.
It has entered into a memorandum of understanding for 500,000 tonnes of polyhalite per year for 10 years with Sichuan Agricultural Means Group.
Sichuan AMPC is a £1.3bn turnover agricultural production company with interests in fertilizer manufacture and distribution in Sichuan and surrounding provinces.
Chris Fraser, managing director and CEO of Sirius, commented: “This is yet another demonstration of the global demand for polyhalite, the importance of the York Potash Project to the UK economy and the strong ties we are developing with China.”
Sir David Higgins said of his departure: “I will be sad to step down from the Sirius board but I will always be a strong supporter of the company and the huge commercial investment that York Potash represents for Yorkshire and the North East. Keith Clarke is well known to me and I’m confident he will be a great addition to the board.”
Russell Scrimshaw, chairman of Sirius said: “Keith brings a wealth of understanding in the areas of complex project approvals and construction management and is a passionate advocate of the environment and sustainable development. He will be invaluable in this next phase of the company’s progress towards securing permission for and construction of the York Potash Project.”
