Mote potash plans in the pipeline
PUBLIC consultations are being held on plans for an underground pipe network which would transport potash from Whitby to a processing plant in Teesside.
The steel pipeline would be situated 1.2 metres below ground in a similar way to gas and water pipes and take a route similar to that of the A171.
It is York Potash’s suggested method of transporting the extracted ore solution from its new mine - earmarked for Dove’s Nest Farm at Sneatonthorpe - to the processing plant without the need to transport any materials by road.
The exact route has been worked out in conjunction with local landowners and stakeholders and is said to be one of the most effective and efficient ways of moving potash away from the mine site.
Public exhibitions are taking place at Ugthorpe Village Hall, Wednesday 2pm-7pm; Scaling Dam Sailing Club, Thursday 2pm-7pm; Sleights Village Hall, Friday, 2pm-7pm.
Feedback from the consultation will inform the development of the proposals and the closing date is Friday 11 January.
The planning application for the pipeline is separate to the company’s planning application for the mine itself. A decision on the mineral transport system is expected to be recommended to the relevant government minister, via the Planning Inspectorate, because it is deemed to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008.
Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius Minerals, the parent company of York Potash, said: “We believe this is the best, most efficient and environmentally acceptable solution for moving the potash out of the National Park and without long term disruption to local communities.
“Importantly, it would mean that we do not have to move the mineral by road or rail which helps to further reduce any impact of the proposals.”
Meanwhile, Sirius this week announced to the City that stores of polyhalite along the Yorkshire Coast is 70 per cent more than originally anticipated, confirming deposits “as the world’s largest and highest quality”.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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