Senior Management Appointment

20 June 2012

Sirius Minerals Plc

Senior Management Appointment - Alan Watling

The Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTCQX: SRUXY) ("Sirius" or the "Company"), the globally diversified Potash development group, are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Alan Watling as Managing Director York Potash. Alan will be responsible for leading the project through feasibility studies to construction and delivery of the York Potash Project into production. He will commence on 2 July 2012, and will be based at the new York Potash offices in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Alan has nearly 30 years' experience in mining and has been responsible for leading some of the most successful project developments in the global mining industry. In recent years his focus has been to deliver complex multi-faceted bulk minerals projects in record timeframes, creating low-cost operations and significant wealth for shareholders. 

Prior to joining Sirius, Alan was Chief Executive Officer of African Minerals Limited ("AML"), where he was responsible for the record-breaking development of the greenfield Tonkolili Project, a fully integrated iron ore mining and infrastructure project in Sierra Leone. Tonkolili commenced production in November 2011 following a 16 month development timeline. Prior to AML, Alan held a number of senior leadership positions within companies including Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group Limited ("FMG"). At FMG, now the fourth largest iron ore producer in the world, as Chief Operating Officer he led the team that took the greenfields mining and infrastructure project from financing in 2006 to production in less than two years.

Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius said:

"I am absolutely delighted to announce Alan's appointment to the York Potash team. Alan has an unrivalled track-record of delivering large-scale projects into production having led the construction and development for both African Minerals and FMG. He brings to York Potash a tremendous depth of experience, leadership, and knowledge that will be invaluable as we rapidly transition towards financing and building one of the most significant new potash developments in the world."

Alan Watling commented:

"The York Potash Project is the most important and exciting mining development in the UK and comes at a time when the region is in genuine need of economic stimulation. I understand the challenges of such a development but also the significant benefits that a project like York Potash can deliver and feel very confident that we will deliver this project into production as fast as possible."

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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 recognised Potash deposits. It is developing the flagship York Potash Project in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom (North Yorkshire) and holds properties in the United States (North Dakota), and Australia (Queensland and Western Australia).

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