October 26th, 2002

A new application has been made to extend mining operations to a new 500mx80m site (the Watersaw rake) to the north west of the current Arthurton West site. There would be a cut 12m wide and 15m deep along the length of a fluorspar vein. Working would last two years with a further year for restoration. Overburden extracted from the new workings would be used in part to back-fill the Arthurton West rake. The Watersaw rake would be back-filled with 35,500 cu.m. of limestone overburden and 48,000 cu.m. of tailings from the Blakedon Hollow dam. There would be 24 x 20 ton vehicle movements per working day over the private haul road from the rake to Cavendish Mill. On completion of work, the site would be covered in soil and seeded for return to agricultural use.
Referring to the current workings on the site, Cllr. Finney reported that there had been clouds of dust raised during the recent dry spell. The water used for dust control was drawn from the Blakedon Hollow dam and contained yellow sediment that had been deposited on surrounding land when the wind direction changed. He felt that the workings were not being monitored, and it was the PPPB’s responsibility to do this. It was also noted that no one actually knew the operating restrictions placed on the workings and it had also been suggested that the legal documents relating to last year’s planning grant had not yet been signed. It was decided to write to the PPPB to seek clarification on both matters.
Cllr. Mrs Gregory was concerned that limestone should not be removed from the site and that there should be no increase in lorry traffic on the public roads. Cllr. Finney was concerned about the closeness of the new workings to the Watersaw mine and felt there was a risk that the old underground workings could collapse. The Council approved the application but asked for conditions to be imposed to meet the concerns expressed. It was also noted that communication with Glebe Mining should be made via the PDNPA and not direct to the company in order to present a united response.

Steven Barton