Owner
Anglo American
Client
Worley Europe ltd
Cost
£3.5 billion
Timeframe
June 2022
— June 2024
Services performed
Dr. Sauer & Partners provided: i. geotechnical analysis and detailed design of the excavation and ground support measures for the MTS Shaft Inset, MTS Station Chamber and associated MTS roadway tunnels; ii. design support during construction; iii. site representation during construction.
Description
North Yorkshire holds one of the largest, high grade polyhalite reserves worldwide. It is located within the North York Moors National Park, ca. 1600m below surface. Once processed, this mineral functions as an organic fertilizer to boost harvest. Anglo American plc are currently developing the infrastructure to mine the polyhalite. This operation requires deep shafts to access the mineral body but also demands an extensive Mineral Transport System (MTS) to keep the impact on the National Park as minimal as possible. Therefore, at ca. 350m below surface, a series of SCL tunnels link the deep shafts to a conveyor belt system, which again connects the mining operation via a 37km TBM tunnel to its material handling facility in Wilton. From there the product is transferred to the harbour in Teesside and shipped off.
Geology
Most of the MTS is developed within the Redcar Mudstone Formation. It comprises alternating layers of silty mudstone and clayey siltstones with subordinated thin beds of limestone and sandstone. Bands of ironstone nodules and fossil shells as well as pyrite are present in places. Multiple major fault systems were identified that cut the MTS alignment.
Location
Yorkshire, UK
Highlights
- Complex interfaces between deep shafts, SCL works and TBM drives in hard rock.
- Geotechnical analysis and detailed design of the excavation and ground support measures.
- Design support and site representation during construction.
MTS Shaft Brow and MTS Station Chamber 3D Abaqus
MTS Shaft Brow during excavation
Woodsmith Mine project side schematic