DELIVERING CHANGE AT SCALE: MEETING 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES IN CROP NUTRITION

It has been estimated that 48% of the global population is fed with crops grown with mineral fertilisers, and the world’s population is expected to grow by 20% by 2050. However, fertilisers are responsible for approximately 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions (double that of aviation) and can play a role in soil degradation. How we use fertilisers needs to change while addressing the need for global food security.

Anglo American is bringing to market the first new, globally scalable mineral fertiliser product in 75 years: polyhalite. A natural mineral found in abundance under the coast of North Yorkshire, polyhalite will help to increase yields for farmers, while helping to support healthy soils and drive more environmentally friendly practices. To extract it, Anglo American is building a revolutionary low environmental impact underground mine which will disappear into the landscape, helping to reimagine mining for the 21st century. Woodsmith Mine will be the world’s largest fertiliser mine when in full production, turning the UK into a major global player in crop nutrition.