Resumen de Big volume shipping under fire
Industrial Minerals, Paul. Rackstraw
Located south of Whitby in North Yorkshire, the mine is predicted to have an initial production output of 10m tpa with full production slated to double as market demand supports expansion, says external affairs director Gareth Edmunds. Production is scheduled to start in 2021, reaching 10m tpa by 2023. The shaft will have two winders with an initial capacity of 13m tpa by 2024, and ultimately be capable of handling 20m tpa by 2026. The company is currently preparing to put out the major tenders for construction contracts to develop mine infrastructure.
Early proposals for the mine inspired controversy from local groups concerned about the location of the mine and worries about lorries exporting mined rock across the environmentally sensitive the North York Moors National Park (NYMNP). However, careful planning, consultation with local park authorities and heavy investment in screening have helped clear the way for the mine's development. Boulby, an existing, nearby potash mine on the borders of the National Park and operated by Israel Chemicals, produces around 1m tonnes of potash (35-45% sylvite and halite) has been operating since 1993 and currently moves its product out by rail car.
Since 2011 the NYMNP Authority has also given planning permission for a number of temporary exploratory drill sites in the east of the Park between the coastal towns of Whitby and Scarborough. Sirius submitted a planning application for the development of a new deep mine at Dove's Nest Farm/Haxby Plantation, Sneaton to the south west of Whitby in February 2013. The proposal was for the mineral to be taken from the mine head site in suspension for processing on Teesside via an underground pipeline. The company withdrew a 2013 planning application in January 2014, while revised proposals were submitted in October 2014 and accepted.
