A MINE manager at a potash firm which recently announced more than 100 job losses has quit.

Dave Williams, who worked for ICL UK in Boulby, made the decision to leave on his own behalf, after the East Cleveland site announced staff cutbacks following dwindling reserves and falling market prices.

A spokesperson for ICL said: “Dave Williams has decided for his own reasons to leave ICL UK and we wish him well in the future.

“In the interim the role of Mine Manager is being undertaken by Malcolm Hudson, who has been with the business for 35 years and was appointed Deputy Mine Manager in 2015.”

The announcement comes after it was revealed last week that 140 workers were to lose their job at the site by the end of the year.

Around 350 people, made up of ICL staff and contractors, have already left, and officials previously said they expected a similar number to be released in 2018 when supplies are fully expended.

The loss of the workers, mainly miners, will leave about 650 staff on the site, although ICL will retain its position as East Cleveland’s largest employer.

The staff cutbacks follow a troubled few months for the firm, known locally as Cleveland Potash.

Only months ago, shock tests revealed ICL’s traditional potash fertiliser stocks are close to exhaustion and in June, a gas blow out led to the death of 56-year-old worker John Anderson.

The firm was forced to deny suggestions that job losses at the mine had played any part in the death of Mr Anderson, who had worked on the site for around 35 years.

Last week, The Northern Echo revealed ICL is embarking on a global expansion to target premium markets, as it bids to “stop the bleeding” caused by the job losses.

The firm is working with potential customers across Asia, the US and South America on new fertilisers and is building a plant to process polysulphate on a larger scale, with bosses holding ambitions of extracting and handling a million tonnes by 2020.

Peter Smith, executive vice president of Potash, previously told The Northern Echo: “This (latest job announcement) just stops the bleed and we are prepared to build the business.

“However, we can’t burn cash here, so there has to be a sensible approach.

“It’s a hard pill for people to swallow and I genuinely feel for them.

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