This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/03/potash-mine-north-york-moors

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sirius plans potash mine in North York Moors Sirius plans potash mine in North York Moors
(about 17 hours later)
A mining company has revealed plans to sink a potash mine in the North York Moors national park, creating 1,000 jobs and generating £1.5bn a year.A mining company has revealed plans to sink a potash mine in the North York Moors national park, creating 1,000 jobs and generating £1.5bn a year.
The mine would be built two-and-a-half miles south of Whitby and would be of low visual impact, Sirius Minerals said. Around 1.3bn tonnes of polyhalite has been discovered below the protected Yorkshire coastline – believed to be the world's biggest and best-quality supply of potash, which is used to make fertiliser.The mine would be built two-and-a-half miles south of Whitby and would be of low visual impact, Sirius Minerals said. Around 1.3bn tonnes of polyhalite has been discovered below the protected Yorkshire coastline – believed to be the world's biggest and best-quality supply of potash, which is used to make fertiliser.
The plans would see a 1,500-metre mine sunk beneath the park, which would tunnel outwards and pump the polyhalite underground around 30 miles north to Teesside, where it would be processed. The plans would see a 1,500m mine sunk beneath the park, which would tunnel outwards and pump the polyhalite underground around 30 miles north to Teesside, where it would be processed.
Initial designs show that the isolated site, located within an existing commercial forestry block, would occupy less than 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of the 100-hectare site controlled by York Potash.Initial designs show that the isolated site, located within an existing commercial forestry block, would occupy less than 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of the 100-hectare site controlled by York Potash.
Parts of the mine would be sunken and covered by agricultural-style buildings and the site would be heavily screened by mature trees and completely concealed.Parts of the mine would be sunken and covered by agricultural-style buildings and the site would be heavily screened by mature trees and completely concealed.
Material excavated during the mine construction would be used to landscape the site, but traditional twin vertical shafts, sunk from the surface, would greatly reduce the amount removed.Material excavated during the mine construction would be used to landscape the site, but traditional twin vertical shafts, sunk from the surface, would greatly reduce the amount removed.
The location was chosen after a 12-month review by Sirius Minerals and York Potash, which will now begin a six-week local consultation with the public.The location was chosen after a 12-month review by Sirius Minerals and York Potash, which will now begin a six-week local consultation with the public.
The North York Moors National Park Authority said it would carefully assess the potential economic benefits and the environmental impacts of the mine before reaching any decision. Chris Fraser, managing director and chief executive of Sirius Minerals, said: "From the outset, Sirius has said we would develop a state-of-the-art potash mine at York Potash in an unobtrusive manner.The North York Moors National Park Authority said it would carefully assess the potential economic benefits and the environmental impacts of the mine before reaching any decision. Chris Fraser, managing director and chief executive of Sirius Minerals, said: "From the outset, Sirius has said we would develop a state-of-the-art potash mine at York Potash in an unobtrusive manner.
"Our proposed location and initial designs show what would be a relatively simple concept to construct, but with one of the world's most innovative approaches to low-impact mine design."Our proposed location and initial designs show what would be a relatively simple concept to construct, but with one of the world's most innovative approaches to low-impact mine design.