Sirius Minerals appoints development director

He will be responsible for leading the development of Sirius’ flagship York Potash project from definitive feasibility study (DFS) to construction and into production. His new role with the company starts on March 25 based at the York Potash offices in Scarborough.

Sirius described Mr Cowe as “one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor managers”.

Most recently Mr Cowe was at WorleyParsons, with the position of global managing director of the infrastructure and environment division and had particular responsibility for the development and implementation of the mine to port developments including African Minerals in Sierra Leone, Oakajee port and rail and Roy Hill mine to port in Western Australia and the CCX Coal development in Colombia.

Mr Cowe said: “The opportunity to return to the UK and be part of a world class, internationally significant project with so many national benefits is an opportunity too good to miss.

“I have been following the development of the York Potash Project with interest for some time now and look forward to moving the project into production as quickly and safely as possible.”

Sirius recently signed a marketing agreement with Swiss fertiliser trader Keytrade, which will take up to 1.75 million tonnes of polyhalite a year once the mine is up and running at Sirius’ York Potash project.

Production at the York project is scheduled to begin in late 2016, with a first phase output target of five million tonnes a year. Keytrade is one of the world’s leading fertiliser trading, distribution and marketing companies.

It will sell the fertiliser in Central and Southern America, South East Asia and various countries in Europe and Africa.