Welcome to Glebe Mines Limited
For information regarding the proposals to extend the existing Tearsall open pit on Bonsall Moor, West of Matlock, please click here www.tearsall.co.uk

Introduction

Glebe Mines are based at Cavendish Mill near Stoney Middleton and are the only producer of indigenous fluorspar in the UK, supplying the UK's leading hydrofluoric acid manufacturer with bulk dried acid grade fluorspar. Since its inception in 1999 Glebe Mines have built a successful thriving business supplying top quality fluorspar to the UK fluorine compound producers. During this time the company has sought to take responsibility for its own sites incorporating Health and Safety, Planning, Environmental control and final restoration rather than passing these tasks onto contractors. This new approach ensures sites will be operated responsibly within planning conditions and guarantees final restoration.

At present Glebe Mines are operating numerous surface workings and two underground mines. Ore is also accepted from external suppliers (Tributers). Crude ores are processed at Cavendish Mill using froth flotation to produce Acid Grade fluorspar, barytes and lead. Ore reserves are being depleted at a rate of c. 420kte/a. Consequently, to sustain the business these reserves need to be replaced through the acquisition of new consented reserves, by means of a rolling exploration and planning program.

Glebe Mines directly and indirectly account for the employment of around 150 people at its plant and extractive operations and through the use of contractors. The processing plant operates 24 hours per day utilising 3 team, on a 12 hour shift pattern which normally lasts for 9 days. This is usually followed by a 5 day maintenance shut down. There is normally a 10 day shut down period in august, allowing Glebe Mines to undertake major maintenance work. Ore supply from underground workings and open pits is on a 1 x 9 hour shift basis from Monday to Friday. As Glebe operate in a rural location we have a significant beneficial impact on the local economy providing quality, full time, non seasonal jobs.

National Need

Fluorspar has been mined in the Peak District since the beginning of the twentieth century, initially for use as a flux in the steel industry but more recently in a higher quality form for the chemical industry.

Since the start of Planning Legislation in the late 1940s, fluorspar has been recognised by both local and central government as a rare and important mineral. Consequently permission was usually granted for fluorspar workings even though this was in the National Park.

However, with increasing concern for the environment and complex directives from the European Union, there has been a growing movement to end all mineral extraction in the National Parks.

Fluorspar is the essential component of a wide variety
of everyday products important to society. Asthma inhalers, unleaded petrol, computers, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, mobile phones and toothpaste are just some of the products dependent on hydrofluoric acid which is produced from fluorspar.

Glebe Mines believe that the mining of fluorspar, care and concern for the environment can all be achieved. By working with the National Park Authority and ensuring our activities are carefully designed, worked and restored, we can contribute to the overall welfare of the Peak District.

Currently we are seeking an acknowledgement from central government that fluorspar is a special case and there is a national need for it. We do not ask that our activities should take precedence over the principle aims of the National Park to preserve and enhance the area, but that with careful planning and design fluorspar extraction be allowed to continue.

The life of the average extraction site is only five years and after this period sites are fully restored and reintegrated into the National Park landscape. Vein mineral sites therefore represent a temporary land use.