Brazil Potato and Tomato 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 independent studies undertaken in Brazil on tomato and potato crops at the University of Sao Paulo. The Brazilian market for tomatoes accounts for 66% of a US$4.79 billion South American tomato crop market. Brazil also supplies 22% of the US$6 billion South American potato crop. Highlights from the trials include:

· Polyhalite applied as a straight fertilizer improved tomato yield by 6% over the control and 15% as a blend component;
· Tomato quality measured as Brix, pH and fruit firmness indicated improved taste and shelf life potential;
· The potatoes grown using a polyhalite blend achieved the same yield using 68% less product than the local commercial option; and
· A polyhalite blend option offers a lower cost, higher nutrient content and is a more efficient product than a commercial alternative.

Looking over bought on good volume for 10 O'clock.

Very heavy selling today. Seems others agree with the 'overbought' comment.

Approvals update

The Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTCQX: SRUXY) ("Sirius" or the "Company") provide a procedural update on the approvals process for the York Potash Project.

In advance of the proposed special planning committee considering the Company's mine and mineral transport system planning application on 30 June 2015, the North York Moors National Park Authority ("the Authority") has published additional background reports on its website.

The reports form part of a number of review documents commissioned by the Authority to inform its assessment of the planning application. The findings of all the review documents will be taken into account in the planning officer's planning committee report, referred to in the 14 May 2015 announcement, which will be publicly available via the Authority's website at least five working days prior to the planning committee meeting.

As detailed when the application was submitted and announced on 30 September 2014, this is a normal part of the planning process so the Company is not offering further commentary on individual reports. Planning officers had already taken account of these and other reports when they advised of their likely open recommendation on the planning application (as detailed in the 14 May 2015 announcement).

The Company has also been in discussions with the Authority for a number of months about its proposed Section 106 Agreement ("Section 106") and it has now tabled an enhanced proposal. The revised Section 106 proposal, which will also be available on the Authority's website, is designed to address officers' concerns relating to the residual harm that can be addressed through Section 106 contributions.

Approvals update - Officers report published

§ North York Moors National Park Authority Planning Committee Report released
§ Consistent with previous guidance, the report contains no officer recommendation
§ Officers' policy conclusion is that they do not believe the development represents exceptional circumstances and that the economic benefits and mitigation/compensation do not outweigh the harm caused
§ Officers acknowledge the high level of mitigations, the significance of the economic and social benefits which could attain national significance and the very strong local support
§ Special Planning Committee to meet, as previously announced, on 30 June 2015 to determine the application

If the project is approved it might upset the bats in the trees! :o)

Not to mention the rats!

......... Still a long way to go even if planning is approved. I personally suspect that Planning will be denied, or a lame duck excuse presented for another round of environmental studies / investigations. It will subsequently go into another round of appeal, which could take many months.

If the planning permission is granted without strings, then we will enter the next phase of funding for such a large project build. - Hence share dilution in some way/share offering, or perhaps large partnering. Yes, long term there could be rich profits for shareholders, but much pain in the SP as it will rollercoaster as would be expected.

Perhaps stating the obvious, but PIs should view the larger picture, as well as near term risks etc.

I have taken profits until dust settles.

IMHO
DYOR
HAb

Sirius Minerals must now convince the locals

Liberum Capital Buy 17.50 16.75 29.00 29.00 Reiterates

Everything hinges on this week! (Tomorrow).

What is happening with regard to the temporary suspension in the trading in Sirius ?

See post 591.

Some unsurprising jitters before tomorrow!

12:25 in :- Look North (Yorkshire)

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF TRADING ON AIM

SIRIUS MINERALS PLC

At the request of the company trading on AIM for the under-mentioned securities has been temporarily suspended from 30/06/2015 7:30am, pending an announcement.

ORDINARY SHARES OF 0.25P EACH, FULLY PAID (B0DG3H2) (GB00B0DG3H29)

It's will they, won't they? time!

For those holding.........

SXX - Sirius Minerals decision imminent
By Harriet Mann | Tue, 30th June 2015 - 14:02

Sirius Minerals decision imminent For those patient investors that have stuck by Sirius Minerals (SXX), decision day has finally arrived. All eyes are on the special planning committee meeting at Sneaton Castle, Whitby where members will decide the fate of its York potash project. Sirius shares will remain suspended until we get the result, but the planning officer's report, published earlier this month, created enough uncertainty to see Sirius shares sold down as low as 13p Monday.

Despite failing to convince officers that its York potash plans are of exceptional circumstance to outweigh the harm the project's development would cause, the potential economic and social benefits of the mine and mineral transport system was recognised. Their 229-page report, which is being presented today, refused to give a recommendation to the members of the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) - an independent body made up from members of nearby local councils. The result, however, remains anyone's guess.

Sirius is confident it's done enough to pass the "Major Development Test", and is sure plans will be approved Tuesday. Analysts agree. At full capacity, over $1 billion of cash could be generated from annual production of 13 million tonnes of polyhalite selling for $150 a tonne, points out house broker WH Ireland. The project clearly has significant economic potential, which analyst Paul Smith reckons will support national GDP, increase exportrevenue and benefit local jobs, taxes and community projects.

The proposed mine and mineral transport system (MTS) sits inside a national park, so Sirius has had to go above and beyond to get this far. The company has promised £175 million in contributions, including £20 million during the construction phase and millions on tree planting, promotion of tourism and highway improvements.

The proposal is part of a straddling application with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, who granted their permission in April. The 36.5km underground MTS will connect the potash mine between Dove's Nest Farm and to Wilton, Teeside to immediate access shaft sites. Around 6.5 million tonnes of mined output a year (Mtpa) is expected to be transported in phase one, which will be doubled to 13Mtpa in phase two.

Link copied - Green light for £2 billion Sirius Minerals potash mine in North York Moors National Park

Approvals update - Mine permit approval

The Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTCQX: SRUXY) ("Sirius" or the "Company") provide an update on the approvals process for the York Potash Project ("the Project").

Members of the North York Moors National Park Authority have resolved to grant permission for the Project's mine and mineral transport system planning application subject to the finalisation of the Section 106 Agreement and final wording of conditions. Members made the decision at yesterday's special planning committee meeting.

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

"This is really just the beginning for the Company - we have made a major step forward and now have a pathway to reaching production and unlocking ever more value for our shareholders.

"We are grateful to the members of the Authority for their positive consideration of the application and we thank our many loyal supporters, investors and customers for their patience in helping us to get to this stage.

"The case for the Project has always been compelling because it will not only generate so many jobs and economic benefits, but also because it is accompanied by such extensive mitigations, safeguards and environmentally sensitive design. We now look forward to delivering it."

The Company will provide a separate update to the market next week which will provide a full status update and detail the next steps and milestones on the way to reaching first production.

The Company's ordinary shares will now recommence trading.

RESTORATION OF TRADING ON AIM