JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Potash development company Sirius Minerals has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives to conduct joint research on the introduction of polyhalite to the Tanzanian market.

The MoU would further provide a basis for enhancing the Tanzanian national capability in fertiliser research and development, driving the introduction of the mineral to Tanzania, which had historically experienced an under-application of fertilisers owing to the inaccessibility of low-cost fertiliser inputs. 

Sirius said in a statement on Wednesday that both parties believed the MoU could present an opportunity to assist the country’s agriculture sector to meet its long-term goals of increasing the use of agricultural inputs to improve food production and the productivity of farmers in Tanzania.

The mineral could be used as a direct-application fertiliser or blended with other fertilisers, such as rock phosphate – which was produced in different parts of Tanzania – to produce balanced fertilisers to improve crop yields, leading to “significant” social and economic benefits. 

Sirius was currently advancing a proposal to develop its deep-shaft York potash project, in the UK, which would target the production of polyhalite.

Commenting on the agreement with the Tanzanian government, Sirius MD and CEO Chris Fraser said the low-cost nature of the polyhalite from the York project could significantly improve accessibility to key nutrients across the continent. 

“This could help encourage better-balanced fertilisation practices, leading to improved productivity for farmers in the region and having the potential to positively impact millions of lives in Africa.

“We are very pleased that the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture has recognised the potential of polyhalite and welcomes its support,” he said.

Tanzania was recognised as one of the five key focus countries for the UK’s High-Level Prosperity Partnerships for Africa programme, which aimed to strengthen economic cooperation between the UK and Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania, based on shared priorities in specific sectors. 

“Polyhalite from the York potash project could play a significant role in advancing this initiative,” Fraser noted.