Sirius Minerals Regulatory News (SXX)

For immediate release: 17 JANUARY 2011

Sirius Minerals Plc

("Sirius" or the "Company")

Directorate Change - Andrew Lindsay appointed as FD and CFO

The Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTCQX: SRUXY), the globally diversified potash development group, are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Andrew Lindsay as Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company with immediate effect. Andrew Lindsay replaces Mr Jonathan Harrison who has retired from the Board.

Andrew Mark Lindsay, 48, has over 25 years of experience in the mining industry. Between 2003 and 2010 he was the Finance Director at European Nickel Plc during which time he oversaw its Admission onto AIM in 2004, which was accompanied by a £15million raise; its £84 million placing in 2006; and the US$50million acquisition of interests in Toledo Mining and Berong Nickel in 2008. In addition, Mr Lindsay initiated the agreement for US$325 million of project financing for its Caldag project in 2010. Prior to European Nickel, Andrew Lindsay held a series of business development and corporate finance management roles within the Anglo-American Group between1985 and 2002 based in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and Chile.

Chris Catlow, Chairman of Sirius, commented:

"The Company has now made a major step change in its development with the acquisition of York Potash and the appointments of Chris Fraser as MD and CEO and Andrew as FD and CFO. With Chris and Andrew's commitment and experience, Sirius will now rapidly increase its rate of progress in becoming a significant global potash producer.

"I would also like to personally thank Jonathan Harrison for the significant contribution he has made over the last six years in creating the exceptional potash asset base for the Company. We wish him well with his other business interests."

For further information on the acquisition by Sirius of York Potash Ltd and the appointment of Chris Fraser as Managing Director and CEO, please see today's separate announcement.

Directorships currently held or previously held in the last five years by Mr Lindsay are as follows:

As part of the appointment, the Company has granted Mr Lindsay 4,000,000 options that can be exercised at 19.7pence per share. The options vest on 17th January 2012 and lapse on 31st December 2013.

Separately, the Company has granted 2,000,000 options to other members of the management team that have an exercise price of 19.7pence per share. The options vest on 17th January 2012 and lapse on 31st December 2013.

There is no further information on Mr Lindsay required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) (i)-(viii) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

For further information, please contact:

About Sirius Minerals Plc

Sirius Minerals is a globally diversified potash development company. Its primary focus is to bring on stream major potash mining facilities through the acquisition and development of projects overlying recognized potash deposits. Today it holds properties in the United Kingdom (Yorkshire), North America (North Dakota), and Australia (Queensland and Western Australia).

The Company is additionally progressing ongoing Research and Development initiatives into the secondary uses of salt and potash beds for energy storage and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Incorporated in 2003, Sirius Minerals' shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. Its shares are also traded in North America on the OTCQX through the use of a sponsored ADR facility. Further information on the Company can be found at www.siriusminerals.com.