Catalan Supreme Court approves Sallent mine extension

ICL Iberia previously submitted a request for approval of additional solutions regarding its handling of the salt pile and an extension of the period for its dealing with the Sallent site beyond 30 June 2017. The court’s decision enables the Company to continue its activities at the Sallent mine for an additional period of one year, with an option for an additional year.

The interim measures proposed by the company - and accepted by the Catalan court - will result in a reduction in the amount of salt transferred by ICL Iberia to the Cogullo deposit, and will not exceed maximum height and volume requirements.

The court’s decision allows ICL Iberia’s continued operations at Sallent, which currently accounts for approximately half of ICL Iberia’s potash production, until the Company ramps up its production at the Cabanasses mine.

The decision follows a resolution passed by the Catalan parliament in June calling upon the Catalan government to support the Bages mining industry. The resolution, which passed by a large majority, included a call for acceptance of the interim measures proposed by ICL Iberia and its continued salt piling at the Cogullo deposit for an additional two years. The resolution and court ruling demonstrates a reasonable balance between the interests and concerns of industry, government, the community and the environment.

ICL Iberia’s phasing out of its operations at Sallent and its expansion at Cabanasses will not only increase ICL Iberia’s efficiency and establish it as a competitive potash producer, it will also significantly improve ICL Iberia’s environmental footprint and its efforts to engage in sustainable mining.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/19072017/catalan-supreme-court-approves-sallent-mine-extension/