14 DAY TRIAL // Only yesterday, mining company Sirius Mineral made it public news that it intends to commence mining operations in the North York Moors, a national park found in North Yorkshire, England.
According to company representatives, their digging for potash (i.e. salts which contain potassium in water-soluble form, and which can be used to produce fertilizers) will have a minimum impact on the surrounding landscapes, not to mention the fact that 1,000 new job opportunities will be made available for the people living in these regions.
Moreover, they claim that this potash mine stands to generate ₤1.5bn a year and will therefore make a significant contribution to the national economy.
As quoted on the company's official website, Managing Director and CEO Chris Fraser argued that, “From the outset, Sirius has said we would develop a state-of-the-art potash mine at York Potash in an unobtrusive manner.”
He further elaborated on this issue, saying “This is a nationally significant project that will bring extensive benefits to North Yorkshire and the wider British economy at a time of great need and for generations to come. The effort in our design work demonstrates that we will deliver on our commitment to the local community and we look forward to feedback on these plans through the public consultation process over the coming weeks.”
Apparently, the earth which is to be dug up in order to accommodate for this mine will be used to landscape the site, and the constructed mine is to be carefully concealed behind its surroundings.
For the time being, the North York Moors National Park Authority has been given the green light to carefully analyze this proposal, and decide whether or not the environmental impacts of this new potash mine will indeed be as negligible as Sirius Mineral claims they will be.
Naturally, people living in the nearby regions are also expected to comment on this proposal.
It is believed that the official planning application will be submitted to authorities by the end of 2012, and that a final decision will be reached within 16 weeks following the application date.