Member Article

Cleveland Potash hopes to secure 40 year future for Boulby mine

Cleveland Potash Limited is hoping to secure the future of its Boulby mine as it works towards extending planning permission with the North York Moors Park Authority.

The current planning permission, which has been in place since 1998, expires in 2023 and the company says it will be submitting an application for a further 40 years.

Marc Kirsten, Managing Director, said: “Obviously there will be a great deal of detailed work required in the coming months in advance of submitting the application.

“We have already begun initial discussions with the Park Authority on the information they will require and we have appointed as lead consultants Amec Foster Wheeler, an industry leader in global mining solutions with over 60 years’ experience.”

The company is currently undertaking a programme which will see acceleration of the transition from potash extraction to the production of polyhalite, marketed as Polysulphate.

Boulby is the only producer of this mineral, which provides a multi-nutrient fertiliser including potash, sulphur, magnesium and calcium.

Marc added: “Boulby has faced significant challenges in recent times but the decision to seek permission for continuing operations for a further 40 years demonstrates our commitment to ensure that we meet the challenges and ensure that Boulby can continue to make a significant contribution to the local community and economy.”