Sirius Minerals signs North Yorkshire shaft construction contract with DMC Mining

UK-based Sirius Minerals, the developer of the £2.9bn North Yorkshire polyhalite mine, has signed a new contract with DMC Mining for the design and construction of the mining shafts of the facility.

Canada's DMC Mining, a subsidiary of Poland's KGHM, will be required to sink four shafts to mine polyhalite, a form of potash, underneath the North York Moors national park.

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"DMC has proven, world leading experience using Herrenknecht SBR technology on deep shafts and represents a strong partner, commercially aligned to our success," said Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO, Sirius. "We are confident that they can deliver the North Yorkshire polyhalite project shafts significantly earlier than all previous expectations and we look forward to working with the team."

DMC will utilise SBR technology in carrying out the construction - a proven shaft sinking system that is a highly efficient alternative to traditional drill and blast processes.

"We are excited to be partnering with Sirius on this world-class project and are confident of leveraging our leading technology and experience to accelerate development of the mine and enable Sirius to bring its sustainable multi-nutrient fertilizers to the market earlier than previously planned," said Graham Buttenshaw, Managing Director, DMC.

Sirius expects that the first polyhalite will be mined from the project in Q4 2021, with the mine set to provide around 1,000 new jobs to North Yorkshire.

DMC will be incentivised for early completion of the project and for carrying out its construction in a cost-effective manour.