ICL Boulby | UK

ICL's subsidiary, ICL Boulby, located in the North York Moors National Park in Northern England, operates mining operations for Polysulphate. This unique mineral contains four essential nutrients, namely potassium, sulphur, calcium, and magnesium. Unlike chemical-based fertilizers, Polysulphate requires no chemical processing, making it an organic, cost-effective, low carbon footprint solution for farmers. \

PRODUCTS & RAW MATERIALS

kt = THOUSANDS OF TONNESS

POLYHALITE ORE

947 kt

POLYSULPHATE

953 kt

Polysulphate is the lowest carbon footprint fertilizer in the market, offering four key nutrients for optimum plant growth.

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. In 2018, ICL successfully transitioned from potash to polyhalite, due to the depletion of potash reserves. Since mining operations began in 1968, there has been extensive excavation of the site. Our mining operations encompass both underground and underwater areas beneath the North Sea, with our mine being the deepest in the UK, reaching depths of up to 1,100m. At ICL Boulby, we strive to minimize our impact on the natural surroundings.

We are continually developing new ways to ensure the longevity of the mine for decades to come. Our exploration geologists are at the forefront of identifying the most promising areas for mining, ensuring a secure future for the mine. We also made a strategic decision to transition to polyhalite, which we market under the name Polysulphate. This nutrient-rich mineral contains four key elements that are essential for plant growth, and we believe it represents the future of mining at our site. Our transition to Polysulphate began in 2018, when we recognized that our potash reserves, which had been mined for over 40 years, were nearing depletion. We made a deliberate and forward-thinking choice to embrace this new resource, which not only allows us to continue our mining operations sustainably, but also positions us as leaders in the field of sustainable mining. At ICL, we are committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of our resources.

We are proud to be increasing our production of Polysulphate to cater to the rising global demand for this natural fertilizer, which offers numerous advantages. Unlike chemical-based fertilizers, Polysulphate requires no chemical processing, making it a cost-effective solution for farmers. Additionally, it boasts the lowest carbon footprint of any fertilizer in the market, with only 0.0337 kg of carbon emitted per kg of product produced.

ICL Boulby is the world’s first and only producer of the unique mineral, Polyhalite

“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. Over 300 trials of this multi-nutrient mineral have demonstrated that polyhalite delivers significant improvements in growth and yields for a huge range of crops.

Discovering Polyhalite

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 that one billion tonnes of polyhalite resources are available at ICL Boulby, which is the current sole producer of polyhalite.

In addition to its mining activities, ICL UK has sponsored, funded, and hosted a variety of PhD thesis on topics such as ground surface deformation, stability and design of excavations, and mining and microbial ecology. 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.

Boulby Helps Beat the Winter Weather

The mine is one of the main producers of rock salt, which is vital in helping keep roads open. It is responsible for supplying around half of the UK’s needs for de-icing material for local authorities and highway contractors. Without salt from Boulby, the UK would almost certainly have to rely on highly carbon intensive imports from other countries. By providing this key resource, ICL Boulby helps secure the UK’s roads.

Meet Our People: Scott Garnett – Agronomist

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Peat Mines and Peat Alternatives

A UK subsidiary which is a part of the Growing Solutions segment, operates 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 2051 for Creca.

ICL has been investing in the research and development of sustainable and high-quality alternatives to peat and had introduced Fibagro Advance, a new Woodfibre substrate, sustainably sourced, manufactured in the UK. For additional information see - Circular Economy.

Biodiversity @ ICL Boulby

At 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. 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 protecting these areas for years to come.

Boulby Underground Laboratory

1,100m under the Earth’s surface, and operated by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), working in partnership with ICL Boulby.

Boulby is one of just a handful of facilities worldwide suitable for hosting deep underground science projects. It is ‘a quiet place in the Universe’, where studies can be carried out almost entirely free of interference from natural background radiation, in particular from natural cosmic rays which perpetually bombard the Earth’s surface.

Going Into Space - Deep Underground

A unique collaboration with NASA at ICL Boulby mine is promoting the research of Mars. The mine allows researchers to simulate a surrounding similar to that of Mars, in which they can explore different tools which may later be used on the surface of the planet and perhaps, the moon.

One of the leading projects in the study of Mars is NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). This is a mission which uses a mobile lab called Curiosity, a probe which landed on Mars in 2012 and has continued to send valuable information about the planet to NASA. To try and simulate Martian conditions, NASA uses the data collected by Curiosity, and collaborates with ICL’s Boulby mine in North England.

With a small team onsite, the facility supports the work of over 70 scientists from 20 universities and research institutes in the UK and overseas.

The laboratory hosts a number of world leading science projects. Studies underway at Boulby range from the search for Dark Matter in the Universe, to studies of geology and geophysics, climate, the environment, life in extreme environments on Earth and beyond.

Mining Concessions and Lease Agreements

The mineral leases of ICL Boulby are based on approximately 51 mineral leases and licenses for extracting various minerals, in addition to numerous easements and rights of way from private owners of land under which ICL Boulby operates, and mineral lease rights under the North Sea granted by The Crown Estates. The mineral lease rights with The Crown Estates, include provisions to explore and exploit all targeted and known polyhalite and salt mineral resources of interest to ICL Boulby. Said leases cover a total area of about 814 square kilometers (onshore leases total around 24 square kilometers and offshore leases from the Crown Estates cover around 790 square kilometers). For the future the Company only requires a small number of terrestrial mineral areas for ventilation and dewatering purposes, some of which expired in 2022. The Company is actively engaged in negotiations with approximately 18 private mineral owners in extend lease terms. Four lease agreements are currently in negotiations and an application has been approved by the Secretary of State to refer these negotiations to the High Court of Justice in London under the Working Mines Facilities Act Application of 1966 (the Act), which, generally, provides for a mechanism to acquire rights over land for mining and extraction. The Company believes that this demonstrates there are sufficient grounds to resolve the negotiations pursuant to the Company’s position. As for the remaining fourteen mineral leases, the Company believes that satisfactory terms will be negotiated without having to have recourse to the Act. Pending the negotiations, the Company continues to operate under the terms of the previous agreements as agreed to with the contractual partners. Subject to the renewal processes described above, all remaining lease periods, licenses, easements and rights of way are effective until 2035.

In December 2021, the North York Moors Park Authority Planning Committee approved ICL Boulby’s application for the continuation of polyhalite and salt production for an additional 25 years commencing 2023 (until 2048). On May 27, 2022, an official Notice was served under Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, which concluded that the development would not have any Likely Significant Effects on the North York Moors Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area.

For further information, see “Item 4 – Information on the Company— D. Property, Plant and Equipment”, and Note 18 to ICL’s 2022 Annual Report.

Below and Above Ground - Engaging The Community

Even though the Boulby Mine is deep underground, it is an integral part of its neighboring communities.

As part of its commitment to building a positive reputation, building trust, and fostering goodwill, ICL Boulby actively engages with its surrounding communities. A key program is the Boulby Community Forum which is held quarterly at the ICL Boulby mine for stakeholders and residents to exchange information. The forum consists of elected officials, residents, and ICL Boulby team members who provide presentations on topics that are relevant to the audience. The forum enables ICL Boulby to improve brand recognition and gain a deeper understanding of community needs and concerns.

The mine also provides a community funding program which is an initiative to provide financial support to community-based projects and organizations. This helps address the needs of communities, promote social welfare, and stimulate economic growth. Examples of community funding programs include grants, as well as volunteering and donation activities. These programs help support a wide range of activities, from education and healthcare to environmental conservation and sometimes heritage preservation.

ICL Helped Us To Improve Our Bowling Green

ICL Boulby has also restarted its young apprentices’ programs. Initial projects were already successful with the implementation of new infrastructure at ICL Boulby.

Sustainability Reporting Disclosures:

Disclosure: 301-1

Disclosure: 304-4