British politicians call on Anglo to reconsider halting fertiliser project | Global News

UK politicians are urging Anglo American to reconsider its decision to halt work at the Woodsmith fertiliser project in northern England. This move comes after Anglo rejected takeover proposals from BHP Group and announced an asset overhaul.

The project in North Yorkshire, which currently provides employment to around 2,000 people, is facing a slowdown. Politicians, including Roberto Weeden-Sanz and Ben Houchen, are expressing concerns about the impact on the local economy and workforce.

Anglo has stated that since construction began in 2017, Woodsmith has contributed £1.5 billion to the economy of Yorkshire and the North-East of England. Despite the slowdown, Chief Executive Duncan Wanblad reaffirmed the project’s importance to the company’s future plans.

The decision to pause the project is part of a larger strategy to divest or sell assets following a significant drop in annual profit. Woodsmith, which holds the world’s largest known deposit of polyhalite, is a key asset for Anglo.

Analysts estimate that total spending on Woodsmith could reach $9 billion. A feasibility study for the project is expected to be completed by 2025, with further developments dependent on the outcome of the restructuring process.

Local politicians and community members are calling on Anglo to engage with the government and explore all options before making any drastic decisions that could impact the livelihoods of workers in the region. The future of the Woodsmith project remains uncertain as discussions continue between Anglo and stakeholders.