TIDMSXX

Sirius Minerals Plc

04 August 2015

RNS Reach

4 August 2015

Sirius Minerals Plc

Corn and Soybean Crop Study Results

The Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTCQX: SRUXY) ("Sirius" or the "Company") provide an update on the latest results from its ongoing global crop study programme.

This update provides results from soybean trials completed at Texas A&M, and the University of Sao Paulo, plus results from a corn study carried out at North Dakota State University. Trials demonstrate that polyhalite is an effective fertilizer on both of these major crops and continue to underpin the value of balanced fertilization. The highlights include:

   --     Polyhalite improved soybean yield and bean protein yield by up to 16% over MOP and SOP 
   --     Corn fertilized with polyhalite improved yields by 3% over MOP + Ammonium Sulphate 
   --     Polyhalite yields return $25/ha more than traditional yields in corn 

-- By using polyhalite, 50% less K(2) O was needed in Texas and 66% less in Brazil to maintain yields

The US and Brazilian soybean markets account for 32% and 30% respectively of an estimated global market worth $119 billion. The equivalent K(2) O consumption of polyhalite would be 72 million tonnes in the US and 38.2 million tonnes in Brazil.

With regard to corn, the US accounts for 29% of the global corn market, equating to US$265 billion annually and consumes 89kg K(2) O per hectare of corn, equating to 22.3 million tonnes of polyhalite.

Key findings from the soybean trial in Brazil revealed that polyhalite can deliver equal yields using 66% less K(2) O, saving farmers $31 per hectare. Trials in Texas also included a potential cost saving by using 50% less K(2) O and saw yields increase by up to 15%. Furthermore, there was improved bean protein content; an important quality factor for achieving a higher value crop.

Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, commented:

"These trials not only display the potential for polyhalite to provide an increased financial return from higher yields, but also demonstrate important input savings."

An agronomy update presentation and webcast has been uploaded to the Company website www.siriusminerals.com.

For further information, please contact:

 
 Sirius Minerals Plc 
  Investor Relations            Email: ir@siriusminerals.com     Tel: +44 845 
                                                                     524 0247 
---------------------------  -------------------------------  --------------- 
 Joint Brokers 
  Liberum Capital Limited       Clayton Bush                      Tel: +44 20 
                                                                    3100 2222 
 Macquarie Capital (Europe)   Ken Fleming,                        Tel: +44 20 
  Limited (NOMAD)              Nick Harland,                        3037 2000 
                               Nick Stamp 
 WH Ireland                   Adrian Hadden                       Tel: +44 20 
                                                                    7220 1666 
---------------------------  -------------------------------  --------------- 
 Media Enquiries              Jos Simson, Mike                    Tel: +44 20 
  Tavistock                    Bartlett,                            7920 3150 
                               Emily Fenton 
---------------------------  -------------------------------  --------------- 
 Warrant Trading Enquiries 
  Liberum Capital Limited       Simon Smith                       Tel: +44 20 
                                                                    3100 2171 
---------------------------  -------------------------------  --------------- 
 

About Sirius Minerals Plc

Sirius Minerals is the fertilizer development company focused on the development of the York Potash Project in the United Kingdom, which has the world's largest and highest grade deposit of polyhalite, a multi-nutrient form of potash containing potassium, sulphur, magnesium and calcium. 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.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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