YORK Potash, the company proposing a new deep mine between Whitby and Scarborough, has found about four times the amount of minerals it expected.

The company, which has been undertaking exploratory drilling and coring work near Robin Hood’s Bay, had estimated that it would find five-metre thick reserves of polyhalite mineralisation, or “potash”, which is used as fertiliser.

But it actually found 19 metres, which was “significantly higher than its expectations” it said.

The mineral cores have now been sent for full chemical analysis and exploratory work will continue at sites near Ugglebarnby; Raikes Lane, Sneatonthorpe, and off the A171 south of the Flask Inn.

Chris Fraser, managing director and chief executive of Sirius Minerals, the company which owns the York Potash project, said: “Although preliminary, these are fantastic results that are a validation of the world-class status of the project. The first hole we have drilled has delivered one of the world’s single thickest potash intersections ever reported.

“I’d like to thank local people for their understanding whilst we have been carrying out this first phase of drilling,” he said.

The company will be submitting a planning application for construction of the actual mine in September 2012.