The province of Groningen is appealing to the highest Dutch company court in an effort to have a permit for mining salt rejected.

The economic affairs ministry has given a licence to Veendam based salt company Nedmag to mine for salt under the province, but the provincial authorities say not enough has been done to ensure the company sort out any problems with subsidence during and after mining.

Nedmag plans to mine for salt in the area of Groningen known as the Veenkoloniën up to 2045.

‘We have problems with the length of the period over which Nedmag will be liable for damages,’ provincial councillor Tjeerd van Dekken told RTV Noord. ‘And we also want to make sure the damage is paid for if Nedmag is no longer around, such as going bankrupt.’

Local waterboards have also protested about the permit.

Groningen is still reeling from the impact of natural gas extraction under the province, which has caused damage to thousands of homes as the land settles.