Ultra-Long Tunnel Drive with TBM for the Construction of the Mineral Transport for the Woodsmith Project Polyhalite Mine - NAT2024

A new polyhalite fertilizer mine is currently being developed in the UK by Anglo American Crop Nutrients. The project includes the construction of a Mineral Transport Tunnel almost 37 kms long to house a conveyor belt that will move polyhalite from the production shaft at the mine to a materials handling facility at the port. The project sets a new standard in terms of an ultra-long tunnel drive and sustainable, environmentally friendly and ef􀂿cient material transport. The paper highlights in particular the 􀀘.􀀜􀀗 m diameter TBM in use for the construction of the ultra-long tunnelling section.