Conveyor system will transport potash over 45km from mine near Whitby to Wilton - slashing the environmental impact of the project
Chris Fraser, managing director and CEO of Sirius Minerals
The company behind a major potash mine and Teesside processing plant says new plans to transport raw materials will lead to more Teesside-based jobs.
York Potash wants to replace a 45km pipeline, to transport potash from the mine near Whitby to port operations at Wilton, with a conveyor system that will slash the impact of the project.
They claim the Mineral Transport System (MTS) which will add around £167m to the project’s cost, will “significantly reduce” construction footprint and environmental impact and lead to a “shift in jobs towards Teesside.”
Redcar Lib Dem MP Ian Swales has welcomed the new transport system for the project, which will create an estimated 1,000 jobs and thousands more in the supply chain.
The company plans to construct the MTS using tunnel boring machines and continuous mining equipment, removing the need for widespread excavations which were a dominant feature of the pipeline construction.
The MTS will remove all direct construction from designated sites like SSSIs and protected moorland habitats, compared to the 13 hectares which would have been required for the construction of the pipeline.
Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of Sirius Minerals (pictured above), said: “Teesside becomes more important for us now, the key change is the crushing, grinding and slurry preparation process at the minehead now moves in a different form to Teesside.
“When the ore arrives on conveyor belts it will be crushed, this results in a shift in jobs towards Teesside, although we haven’t quantified that yet.
“The intention is also to maintain the MTS from Teesside so maintenance crews and monitoring will be at that end of the process.”
Redcar & Cleveland Council will also have a “much more significant part to play” in the planning process, he said, as the Wilton storage facility for the project will come under a straddling planning application with the authority.
The company has been re-evaluating “all aspects of the project” to reduce impacts wherever possible, following their deferral of the mine planning application last year.
York Potash will submit its new planning application by July, and the “vast majority” of it will now be determined by the North York Moors National Park Authority and Redcar and Cleveland Council.
Mr Swales said: “This is fantastic news as it will bring jobs to our area while keeping inconvenience and disruption to a minimum. This solution almost completely removes the need for over ground construction and protects our beautiful countryside. I wish York Potash the best of luck with the project and look forward to following its progress in the future.”
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