MP backs massive potash mine project on North York Moors

A NORTH Yorkshire MP has given his backing to plans for a major potash mine around the North York Moors, creating up to 5,000 jobs, but warned developers they would not be given an “environmental blank cheque”.

Robert Goodwill, the Tory MP for Whitby and Scarborough, was speaking following a major meeting between Sirius Minerals, council chiefs and the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) over the proposals, which are rapidly gaining pace. Planning applications for up to 10 test drilling sites are expected to be submitted within weeks.

Sirius has acquired mining rights to 600km (372 miles) of land along the North Yorkshire coast, but the exact location of the mine has not yet been revealed.

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Mr Goodwill told the Yorkshire Post he welcomed the impact the development would have on the area’s economy, but warned there are still lingering doubts over the environmental impact of the mine.

“I’m certainly welcoming this”, he said. “What we need to do is make sure the environmental impact from what they are intending to do is addressed.

“We are not writing a blank cheque with regards to the local environment.

“The fact is, the potash is under the North York Moors.

“Other industries, especially tourism, rely heavily on the picturesque nature of this environment.

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“This was the first of a number of meetings with local stakeholders about the plans and the concerns that I had have been addressed – a lot of the operation will be underground.”

Sirius, which specialises in potash exploration and development, bought York Potash for £25m in January to gain access to mineral rights on the North Yorkshire coast.

Following the takeover, Sirius announced its proposals for the mine, which it is estimated will create up to 5,000 jobs, with 1,500 new jobs alone during the development and construction phase and 1,000 people operating the mine.

The company has already moved into a business park on the outskirts of Scarborough, and its chiefs say they are now finalising plans for exploration work at between five and 10 sites, with drilling work due to be completed by the end of the year.

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If successful, it would be the first UK potash mine to open for about 40 years and would be expected to have a lifespan of around 50 years.

Mr Goodwill said: “There is a lot of speculation, but from what I have been told there is still no exact location for the mine head.

“No decision has also been made as to how the material will also be transported out.

“One option being looked at is a pipeline to pump the material elsewhere.”

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Potash – salts that contain potassium – is a key ingredient in the manufacture of fertiliser as well as a number of industrial processes including soap, glass and ceramic manufacturing.

The exploratory work is making use of geological data and seismic studies recorded in previous oil and gas drilling in the area, and also information collected in the 1960s when three potash projects were considered on the Yorkshire Coast.

Only one was ever built, Boulby Mine on the edge of the North York Moors near Staithes, and is still being operated by Cleveland Potash today as the only potash mine in the UK.

The chief executive of Sirius Minerals and founder of York Potash, Chris Fraser, says he expects the first test drilling to be finished in August or September and the company will use low-impact sites, outside of the North York Moors national park.

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Mr Fraser says he believes the first plans for the actual mine could be submitted within 18 months to two years.

Sirius, which also has projects in Australia and the USA, believes the proposed mine has the potential to unearth billions of pounds worth of potash.