Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
This industry's main product is potash, most of which is destined for use in the manufacture of fertiliser. Small amounts of baryte, mainly used as an input to drilling fluids for hydrocarbon exploration and production, are also mined. The industry also extracted fluorspar (used by the chemical industry to make hydrofluoric acid), but production ceased at the end of 2010. There are plans to re-commence fluorspar production, but it is unclear whether they will come to fruition. Total potash output in the United Kingdom typically amounts to 600,000 to 700,000 tonnes per year.
The industry is expected to generate revenue of £230.0 million in 2011-12, compared with £145.1 million in 2006-07 (yielding average annual growth of 9.7%)... purchase to read moree
Industry Report - Industry Products Chapter
Potash is this industry's main product, accounting for about 99% of industry output by value and about 95% by volume in 2011-12. Potash is a generic term for potassium-bearing minerals. The particular form mined in the United Kingdom is sylvinite, a mixture of sylvine (potassium chloride) and salt. Typically, clay or other material is also present in potash deposits. Virtually all the potash produced is used in the manufacture of fertiliser, and some output is exported.
The industry's other current product is baryte, but only small quantities are mined. Fluorspar was also mined until end-2010, when the only substantial producer, Glebe Mines Limited, ceased production. Production may re-commence following the sale of Glebe Mines in late 2011... purchase to read more