SIRIUS Minerals has started drilling at the York Potash Project, the first new deep potash mine in Britain for 40 years.

It has appointed PR Marriott Drilling to undertake the drilling at the site between Scarborough and Whitby, which will supply the UK’s fertilizer industry and could lead to 5,000 jobs.

Chris Fraser, managing director and chief executive of Sirius, said: “The commencement of drilling in North Yorkshire is a major milestone for the York Potash Project. These will be the first new surface boreholes drilled for potash in North Yorkshire for almost 35 years and the first ever surface boreholes focused on the important polyhalite seam. The drilling programme will help us define the parameters of a world-class potash project and to advance the preparation of detailed proposals and designs.”