Sirius Minerals confirms thickness of potash deposit

18th Sep 2013 08:08

The proposed mine in Yorkshire being developed by Sirius Minerals has been confirmed as the thickest and highest grade source of polyhalite potash in the world. Chris Fraser, both Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the AIM-listed company, said: "The scale and quality of the York Potash polyhalite deposit has now been confirmed as truly exceptional. "Our exploration programme has delivered a number of world firsts - the world's largest and highest grade polyhalite resource, and now the world`s thickest and highest grade polyhalite ore reserve."The maiden ore reserve for the project was found by independent consultants SRK Consulting to have a probable ore reserve of 250m tonnes of polyhalite with a mean grade of 87.8% polyhalite. This was derived from, and is a sub set of, the indicated mineral resource reported in May of 820m tonnes at an average grade of 87.3%. Approval of the mine has been held back due to environmental and other concerns raised by local groups, led by the North York Moors National Park Authority.Fraser added: "While the additional time required for the approvals process is frustrating for our many supporters, a potential mine life of over 100 years hopefully puts that into some perspective."Shares in Sirius were flat at 9.38p on Wednesday. OH