JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim-listed Sirius Minerals has submitted a range of requested documents relating to the UK-based York potash project to the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) to secure project planning approval.
This followed a request by the NYMNPA and its specialist consultants last month for additional information centering on aspects of the submitted environmental statement, particularly around hydrological issues, to enable the NYMNPA to meet the proposed application decision date of July 2.
"We have submitted a robust and full set of documents that put forward a compelling case for the national park to make a positive decision," Sirius CEO and MD Chris Fraser said in a market update on Tuesday.
To grant planning approval, the park’s authority would need to determine that the project proposal met the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework, including determining the need for development, confirming that it was the optimal designated area and ensuring that there would be no detrimental environmental impact.
Fraser commented in a webcast on Tuesday that the company used the request for additional information as an opportunity to update and strengthen documentation, and address queries raised by the Environment Agency, conservation group Natural England and the Ministry of Defence.
“The information submitted should be sufficient for these holding objections to be removed,” he said.
However, should the application be refused, Sirius would consider appealing to the Planning Inspectorate.
Production at the project was scheduled to start in late 2016, with production to ramp up to five-million tons a year by 2018.
Sirius would spend up to $1.7-billion on the project to reach first production.