Directorate Change

For immediate release: Monday 20 December 2010

Sirius Minerals Plc

("Sirius" or the "Company")

Directorate Change

Appointment of Russell Scrimshaw as Non-Executive Director

Further to the announcement of 16 December 2010, the Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTC: SRUXY), the potash mining group, are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Russell Scrimshaw as a Non-Executive Director of the Company with immediate effect.

Russell John Scrimshaw, 61, is currently an Executive Director of Fortescue Metals Group Limited ("Fortescue") and has been a member of the Fortescue Board since 2003. He has played an integral role in the commercial development of Fortescue and its Pilbara project. Mr. Scrimshaw was previously a board member of Commonwealth Properties Ltd, EDS Australia, Mobilesoft Ltd, Telecom New Zealand Australia Pty Ltd, The Garvan Institute Foundation and Athletics Australia and has also held senior executive positions within the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Optus Communications Pty Ltd, Alcatel, IBM and Amdahl USA. 

In addition, Mr Scrimshaw is an Associate Member of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants, and an Adjunct Professor of Mining Economics at China Central South University in Changsha, China.

Chris Catlow, Chairman of Sirius, commented:

"We are delighted to formally welcome Russell to the Board. His knowledge of the mining industry and his professional network in the Asia Pacific region provides additional depth and strength to the Company's Board."

Russell Scrimshaw added:

"The importance of potash as a commodity to developing nations - as well as the issues that exist in the potash supply chain - are now beginning to be fully understood by institutional investors and major corporates. Sirius has been positioning itself exceptionally well as a leading emerging player in this environment. For that reason, I am pleased to be joining the Board."

Directorships currently held or previously held in the last five years by Russell Scrimshaw are as follows:

Mr Scrimshaw, through Scrimshaw Nominees Pty Ltd as trustee for the Scrimshaw Family Trust currently owns 12,500,000 Ordinary Shares of 0.25 pence in the Company.

In addition, the Company has granted 37,500,000 options to Scrimshaw Nominees Pty Ltd as trustee for the Scrimshaw Family Trust to be exercised at any time within a five year period from the date of grant.

The options have been allotted in three tranches:

·; 12,500,000 options at an exercise price of 25 pence;

·; 12,500,000 at 35 pence; and

·; 12,500,000 options at 45 pence.

There is no further information on Mr Scrimshaw required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) (i)-(viii) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

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