I've been expecting this for a few weeks now but, Glebe have announced today that having been unable to secure investment to open up Milldam and Tearsall, they are closing.:(
From the BBC:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-11653269 

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Very sad but inevitable. Do we know what the scale of the investment needs to be?

It's good to see at least a token comment of dismay from a Peak Park spokesman. Historically of course that has not been the case, so its refreshing to see Jim Dixon's Blog explaining just what has been happening. http://jimdixon.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/what-future-for-the-peak-district-fluorspar-industry/ 

It wasn't so long ago the EU were warning over fears that China would end up being the major source of certain so called rare earth minerals needed for technological advancement in our modern world. Fluorspar was one of those minerals. http://greenworldinvestor.com/2010/06/20/eu-warns-of-shortage-of-of-rare-earth-minerals-even-as-china-tightens-control/ 

From what I understand Mexichem have bought Ineos Fluor at Runcorn for a cool £220m, which is the major processor for the Glebe Mine etc production. Does that mean that Mexichem are going to import fluorspar from other sources to maintain their production at Runcorn or close it down??
According to the hype Mexichem bought out Ineos to expand their business. The Glebe Mine complex and minerals rights were not part of the sale to Mexichem apparently.

So you buy an operation to expand your business for £220m only to have the only local supply of raw material taken away a few months down the line through lack of investment.

Oooo-err. A right bag of worms in it.

Edit: Some links
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=cavendish+mill+derbyshire&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=cavendish+mill&hnear=Derbyshire,+United+Kingdom&ei=TLrLTPfMGMWq4Aaoi73cDA&ved=0CAQQtgMwAA&ll=53.273803,-1.6939&spn=0.000383,0.001023&t=h&z=20&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=53.273803,-1.6939&panoid=H1z0jjqZEXn9FTVxJROg_Q&cbp=12,72.41,,0,0.17  Google Streetview of Cavendish Mill.
http://www.tearsall.co.uk/default.htm  Tearsall Proposal.

Its gone the same way as Laportes did really, it will be shipped in from china probably which is why laportes shut the place last time. But as its a mexican firm i presume they will have a source over there they sould bring in. Glebe were shipping some in from spain to add to the mix so to speak but the quality was crap.

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From what I'd heard, Mexichem were mainly interested in getting their hands on Ineos Fluor's US operation. They have made noises about importing to Runcorn and I understand some batches have been tried there, but they were still buying the Derbyshire spar. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Mexichem wouldn't make a firm enough commitment to buy from Glebe in future to give Glebe something concrete to raise the investment capital against.

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Very sad news, 65 jobs is a lot to go in such a small part of the county.

Typical really foreign companies buying our industry and our workers loose out, yet again. 😠

I see the problem here then is more than just incoming investment, as without the largest customer for the raw materials, then there is no business.

Wish I had the money to buy the Milldam mine complex, reckoned to be the best through trip in Derbyshire at one time.

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From what I'd heard, Mexichem were mainly interested in getting their hands on Ineos Fluor's US operation. They have made noises about importing to Runcorn and I understand some batches have been tried there, but they were still buying the Derbyshire spar. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Mexichem wouldn't make a firm enough commitment to buy from Glebe in future to give Glebe something concrete to raise the investment capital against.

Yep that about sums it up

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I just hope at least some of the workers manage to get in with DHL refractories down at Newhaven, they're expanding and looking for fitters and process workers at the moment.

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