Member Info for OldRascal

Whitby Town Council don’t carry much weight.

We need NYMNP Authority approval. I’m sure it’s in hand.

OR

Excellent news!

I was told that finding a syndicate partner for Woodsmith and the sale of non-core assets were key to ramping up Woodsmith.

With Mitsubishi potentially taking a stake in Woodsmith and the sale of SMC, I will keep my fingers crossed that I live to see the mine open.

OR

Interesting read.

Might this explain the sp spike this afternoon?

OR

Share price up 93% in a year.

OR

This is an important step in the future of Woodsmith.

It may be old news but in case you missed it.

https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/news/release/2026/20260220001.html

OR

Great piece in the brand new Whitby Anchor about Woodsmith, written by Emma Ryan who attended a recent liaison a group meeting.

https://thewhitbyanchor.co.uk/

OR

Some promising reports of three potential buyers for the steel making coal business.

Strengthening the balance sheet is one of the requirements to support completion of Woodsmith.

OR

If I could choose, hindsight would be my superpower.

Hi Tom

https://uk.angloamerican.com/our-fertiliser/insights/polyhalite-yield-summary

Edit my last.

Ramp back up expected 2028 subject to feasibility study outcome, securing syndicate partners, improving the balance sheet.

Service shaft at 874m. Grouting has been successful. This de-risks the production shaft.

The good news is that AAL are continuing to fund the slow down of the mine development, rather than putting it into care and maintenance. It is expected to ramp up from 2029, on satisfactory completion of the feasibility study.

The TBM has passed the 30km mark in early December, and sets a new world record every day for the longest tunnel drive using one TBM (Stella Rose).

Mitsubishi have taken a small stake in the mine and are helping to develop market potential, using Poly4 produced from polyhalite mined at nearby Boulby. If successful, Mitsubishi could take a more significant stake in Woodsmith and help to reduce the development risk.

All in all, those that work at Woodsmith are more confident than at any time since the slowdown was announced.

Maybe Valterra could partner with AAL on the Woodsmith project? LOL

OR

What goes up can come down.

With shares, it’s important to realise your gains. Timing is everything.

AAL also need to look at the cost of mothballing the project. It doesn’t come free.

Polyhalite markets for close to $200 and the cost of production is nearer $60 per tonne. With a target of 13 million tonnes per year for at least 60 years (and probably 100+), the likelihood that the price will rise as we seek to produce more food from less land, I think the numbers must stack up.

Delays are the enemies of any large project. Standing still comes at a price.

The tunnel must keep moving. If they stop the TBM for a long period, the ground will contract around it and the TBM will be stuck.

One shaft is well on the way to completion. This de-risks the second shaft and shows potential partners that the shafts are doable.

Businesses must look forward 10, 20, 30 years. Woodsmith remains a most valuable asset and is a superb example of modern mining.

OR

I think the earlier takeover bid was a wake up call for AngloAmerican. The share price has done much better than BHP’s share price.

We need a partner for Woodsmith and for the Teck deal to go ahead.

OR

Maybe BHP will be back when the Teck deal is secured?

OR

And relax,

https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2025/11/statement-regarding-proposal-for-anglo-american-plc

Was always likely.

I’m here for the long haul.

https://www.mining.com/bhp-makes-new-approach-to-buy-anglo-adding-twist-to-merger-saga/

OR

Thanks. When I said ‘my stomach’ it was more metaphorical than physical.

OR

Hi in4cedros

I’m sure the planning changes will proceed without too much resistance from NYMNP and locals. I am aware of some grumbling from those that lost money with Sirius minerals and those that, for whatever reason, would want the project to fail.

My concerns were all about timelines.

The tunnelling has been reduced to a crawl to ensure the TBM doesn’t get stuck. Personally, I’d prefer them to crack on and get the tunnel finished so that it can be ready to fit out.

One shaft is being progressed and is now in the sandstone layer. This holds more water than the other layers and it is being progressed to prove to potential partners that the shaft sinking is achievable (de-risked).

I think the government should offer financial assistance (where the Tories failed) to get this project into production before the end of this decade. As it is, the current estimate is mid 2030’s and, as we know, the date is only likely to shift right. So much so that I doubt I will live to see the celebrations when it eventually enters production. I don’t think I have the stomach to hold on for another 10 years or more.

The merger with Teck will keep me invested for now. I have less than 530 shares so it’s not going to be life changing, as I had once hoped.

Despite this, I hope that a partner can be found soon to bring the project to completion. The long term value of the asset is huge and, if a partner was to be found, I think there would have been some news by now.

Good luck. Sorry I sound so pessimistic.

OR