Polyhalite and its Future in the Mining & the Fertiliser Industry With Andrew Fulton

Up to now, ICL is still the first and only producers of polyhalite. Polyhalite deserves the attention that it’s getting since it’s about to disrupt the fertilizer industry.

Today in “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast, I chat with Andrew Fulton, the Vice President and General Manager of ICL Group, about his career and the working culture in UK & South Africa. He also emphasizes that mining professionals should see the importance of scientific knowledge and its practical applications to become more valuable in the industry.

Listen in as Andrew explains his journey from graduating and getting his first graduate role, then developing his experience on site before returning to the UK to then head up Cleveland Potash. With the deepest mine in the UK, Andrew is driving the operation forward. He explains how the company turned its fortunes around and how focusing on this commodity increased the production of polyhalite to secure the future of the mine and that of the local community who work there.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The difference of working in the UK and South Africa, according to Andrew:
  • "UK is a stable and secure environment to operate in. South Africa in 1990s is far from that. It is immersed in the apartheid period, sanctions, and constraints."
• For new graduates in the UK, it's understandable that they go overseas to practice their craft since it's hard to have a field mine experience here in the UK.
• Both the practical and technical side of mining is important. But, if you worry that you exceed far greater on one than the other one, Andrew assures you that it's okay. The mining industry needs both so you'll find a sector where you'll be valuable.
• ICL is the leading fertilizer manufacturer and has sites across the world. One of the sites is located in Israel which is one of the low-cost producers of fertilizers. it the first in the world to mine polyhalite.

BEST MOMENTS

• " "I know it's hard. but if they keep looking...if you've got enough to prove you can do and you shine, well, those opportunities make themselves available to you."
• "It'll always be a balance. I can't recommend to individual graduates which is the best path for them. That's gonna be something that they will determine."
• "It's an exciting place to be. As an individual, I always leave the site believing I learned something new and I develop every day."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• UK Coal
• Israel Chemical Ltd. (ICL) Group
• Cleveland Potash

ABOUT THE HOST

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight to people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.

 Rob is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from the first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. We source, headhunt and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients’ organisation in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Andrew Fulton has a long history in the mining sector working in the coal mines of South Africa at the start of his career before returning to the UK with UK Coal. He is now the Vice President and GM of the ICL Group who owns the Cleveland Potash mine up in the Redcar/Cleveland area which is in the North East of the UK. It has become the first mine in the world to mine polyhalite which is a fertilizer carrying the benefits of sulphur, potassium, magnesium and calcium which is used in the fertilizer market.

CONTACT METHOD

Rob Tyson

• Email Rob at rob@mining-international.org
• Rob’s LinkedIn
• Mining International Official Website
• Mining International’s Twitter
• Mining International’s Facebook

Andrew Fulton

• Email Andrew at Fulton@icl-group.com
• Andrew’s LinkedIn