Consultation begins on plan to allow another 25 years of mining operations
Tuesday October 1 sees the start of a public consultation programme in advance of ICL Boulby applying to North York Moors Park Authority for permission to continue mining for a further 25 years.
The first of a series of exhibitions which will take place at local towns and villages begins at Hinderwell Village Hall, followed on Wednesday by Mulgrave Community Sports Centre and Staithes Village Hall on Friday. The pre-application consultation programme, which ends on 30 October, will also involve meetings with local councils, businesses and community groups,
Current planning permission which has been in place since 1968 expires in 2023. ICL Boulby’s General Manager Andrew Fulton said seeking renewed permission underlines the commitment to securing the mine’s long-term future and strengthening its position as the world’s first and only producer of polyhalite.
Fulton added: “Following our successful move to polyhalite production, the planning application is the next phase in our ‘Building Boulby’s Future’ strategy, which aims to drive forward an increase in our production to a target of 1.3m tonnes per year by 2023, securing over 500 jobs and ensuring we continue to make a major contribution to the economy of East Cleveland and the wider area.
“We hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to come along to the public exhibitions to find out more about what we have achieved already in becoming the world’s first and only polyhalite mine and how our plans can secure its future.”
Consultation exhibition locations and dates are: October 1, Hinderwell Village Hall, 2pm-8pm; October 2, Mulgrave Community Sports Centre, 2pm-8pm; October 4, Loftus Town Hall, 2pm-8pm; October 9, Staithes Village Hall, 2pm-8pm; October 10, Skinningrove Village Hall, 2pm-8pm; October 12, Skelton Civic Centre, 9am-2pm; October 15, Mickleby Village Hall, 2pm-8pm; October 26, Marske Leisure Centre, 9am-2pm.
