BOSSES at a potash firm have confirmed workers have left as they begin to tackle tough market conditions.

A spokesperson for ICL UK, based at Boulby in East Cleveland, confirmed a small number of workers have already left the company, whilst more than 100 others are due to leave before Christmas.

The spokesperson added the rest of the redundancies will be completed by Christmas.

It was announced in the summer that 140 workers were at risk at the site as ICL UK adapted to shock tests showing traditional potash fertiliser stocks are close to exhaustion.

The Northern Echo also exclusively revealed earlier this year that miners will bear the brunt of the company’s cuts, with around 80 underground staff earmarked for redundancy.

The announcement came as the ICL group reported its results for the third quarter, which showed the company making a $331m operating loss, from a $197 profit a year previously.

The figure includes write-offs on some major projects, including a $202m charge relating to the scrapping of a potash project in Ethiopia.

Excluding these items, adjusted operating profit totalled $164m.

The group also reported an an asset write-off of $5 million at ICL UK following the company’s decision to “accelerate its transition to producing Polysulphate.”

Asher Grinbaum, ICL’s acting chief executive, said the termination of a number of products will save the company hundreds of millions of dollars, adding the projects “did not justify their continuation”.

“The executive management team views the deployment of investments as one of our top responsibilities, and it is critical that the company will adjust its plans as market conditions evolve.

“We will continue to focus on our cash generation by improving the diversification and product mix and the competitiveness of our core assets, and by optimising working capital and capital expenditures.”

Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo last month, Peter Smith, ICL’s potash executive vice president, said bosses took no satisfaction from cutting their workforce.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly - we understand this will cause concern for employees, their families and the wider community but it is aimed at ensuring ICL has a future.”

“(The falling potash price) places significant pressure economically but we are still committed to the future and believe very strongly in polysulphate.”

He added: “We are genuine about trying to create a future but we are businessmen and have to do our jobs.

“But, if we stick to our guns, we will be successful and someone’s kids or grandkids will hopefully reap the rewards.”

Dave Williams, a mine manager at the Boulby site, quit the organisation earlier this year following staff cutbacks, dwindling reserves and falling market prices.