Sarah Jones MP highlights £2.5 billion investment in North Yorkshire site as vital to regional economy
6 March 2025
Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP, recently visited the Woodsmith Mine to see first-hand the progress of one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. Owned by Anglo American, the mine is set to become one of the world’s largest fertiliser-producing sites, extracting polyhalite to support sustainable farming, boost exports, and create thousands of high-value jobs across the region. The mine employs hundreds of people from across the region, and its underground tunnel runs through East Cleveland to PD Ports at Middlesbrough.
During the visit, the Minister praised the scale of the operations and highlighted the important role that polyhalite mining can play in supporting British agriculture and reinforcing food security. She noted that the project is a major win for the Government and a sign of renewed confidence in British industry.
Sarah Jones MP, Minister for Industry and Economic Security, said:
“It was extraordinary to see the scale of engineering at Woodsmith and the dedication of the workforce, many of whom come from mining backgrounds. This is a project with huge potential for the UK, driving regional growth, creating skilled jobs and supporting our ambitions to become a clean energy superpower.
“So far, the company has invested £2.5bn into Woodsmith, and the project has already added an incredible £1.5bn to the regional economy. The government is fully supportive of Anglo American’s efforts to ensure this important project goes ahead and continues delivering for local communities.”
The Minister’s visit follows Luke Myer’s ongoing work to champion the polyhalite industry, including recent parliamentary interventions and visits to the Woodsmith mine and ICL Boulby mine, which is also helping to position the UK as a global leader in fertiliser production.
Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, welcomed the visit:
“I am really pleased to see the Minister visiting Woodsmith. This project is a huge opportunity for our region. It is a world-class investment that is already delivering real benefits in terms of jobs and local economic impact. With the right support, we can turn the UK into a global leader in polyhalite and sustainable fertiliser production and ensure East Cleveland is at the heart of that success. I will continue to speak up in Parliament and push for the support our workers and investors need to maintain our competitive edge.”
References:
Sarah Jones MP is the Minister of State for Industry.
The AngloAmerican Woodsmith Project is a multi-billion-pound development aiming to extract and process polyhalite for global agricultural use. The project involves the construction of a deep underground mine near Whitby and a 37-kilometre tunnel to transport the mineral to Teesside for export. It represents one of the largest private investments in UK infrastructure, with the potential to create thousands of jobs and drive economic growth in the region.