A FERTLISER mine is creating new jobs as it ramps up production of a groundbreaking new mineral.

Boulby Mine in east Cleveland, which once produced potash, is now concentrating solely on polyhalite, a new type of fertiliser.

ICL Boulby is the world's first and only producer of the mineral and will shortly be submitting a planning application to continue operations for a further 25 years on the site.

It is aiming to ramp production up to 700,000 tonnes this year and is recruiting to help it meet its targets.

General Manager and Vice President Andrew Fulton, said: “Over the past two years we have made substantial investments in delivering the transition from potash, which we mined for over 40 years, to polyhalite.

"It has been a major challenge right across our operations, from developing new mining and processing techniques to carrying out field trials and marketing, demonstrating to farmers and growers in five continents the unique benefits of polyhalite.

“Next year we aim to further ramp up production to meet the growing demand for our products and that means there are now opportunities across the business for people with the right skills.”

The mine will be recruiting electricians, welders, fitters, process operators and also technical specialists in fields including geology, surveying and laboratory analysis.