Sirius alters plans in bid to overcome planning hurdles

THE company behind plans for a huge potash mine near Whitby has changed its plans for the project in a bid to avoid planning objections.

Sirius Minerals today said it is to replace a previously proposed pipeline for transporting polyhalite between the mine and the coast with an underground conveyor system.

The group said the Mineral Transport System (MTS) would significantly increase project value, reduce the construction footprint and environmental impact of the project and deliver a more efficient and sustainable operation.

Chris Fraser, managing director and CEO of Sirius, said: “To be able to make such a positive change that increases project value at the same time as dramatically reducing construction impact is an exciting outcome of our long-term commitment to sustainable development.

“Combined with the strong international demand for polyhalite, the change to the MTS in terms of the lower operating costs and an increase in Phase 1 production could result in an increase to the initial project value by over US$1bn.

“The new Mineral Transport System is a combination of well proven and well understood systems and operating concepts that reduce project risks, increase stakeholder value and unlock further project development opportunities for the future.”

Since the deferral of the company’s mine planning application in 2013, all aspects of the project have been re-evaluated.

Approval for the MTS will be sought via the standard planning application route with a ‘straddling application’ submitted to the North York Moors National Park Authority and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. An application for the MTS is scheduled to be submitted in November.

Last month, Sirius announced it had entered into a new planning performance agreement with the National Park Authority ahead of the fresh planning application it intends to submit this summer. Today, Sirius confirmed that the mine application is currently on target to be submitted in July and will be accompanied by a cumulative assessment that assesses the environmental impact across the entire project including the MTS.