Noticed in yesterday's Times an encouraging snippet on this mine.
Apparently £ 1 million is to be invested in upgrading the mine's facilities.
It is a joint venture between an Italian company, Minerali Industriali and the Japanese company who took over Pilkingtons, i.e. Nippon Sheet Glass(NSG).
Apparently another 9 employees will be taken on, almost doubling the work force there.
This company took the mine over 5 years ago, and are also to look for other users for it's products.