Sirius Minerals' Woodsmith mine will supply a unique type of potash fertiliser; polyhalite is a multi-nutrient mineral containing four of the six macro-nutrients that plants need: potassium, sulphur, magnesium and calcium.

The MHF will crush the polyhalite ore from the mine and granulate it for use in agricultural equipment, before sending it to the nearby dock for shipping.

Jacobs Mining, minerals and technology senior vice president and general manager Andrew Berryman, said: "As the EPC provider for Sirius Minerals' materials-handling facility, Jacobs is delivering more than a full life-cycle solution on this project - we're delivering a facility that is scalable and able to support changing agriculture needs.

"From the run-of-mine stockpile to the final product loadout, the materials-handling facility will contribute to local and global food supply."

Jacobs is designing the MHF to handle seven million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of granulated product in its first phase of development, with expansion considerations being developed into the design to support up to 20Mtpa of the granulated product. In addition, the facility will also handle three Mtpa of coarse product.

"Securing a partnership with a company the calibre of Jacobs is great for us and a testament to the world-class nature of this project," said Sirius Minerals chief development officer Simon Carter. "Their knowledge of EPC projects in the mining sector is hugely valuable, as is their experience of construction projects on Teesside."

Through the development of its North Yorkshire polyhalite project, Sirius Minerals is aiming to become a leading global producer of polyhalite.