Whitby area's Woodsmith project tunnel reaches 'unprecedented' 30km
The team responsible for the development of the Woodsmith project are celebrating a major milestone this festive period after the tunnel reached an unprecedented 30,000m.
The TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) Stella Rose reached 30km recently, continuing to break the world record for the longest single TBM tunnel every day which was achieved at 25.8km – and the progress continues.
The Woodsmith project near Whitby is under construction to access the world’s largest known deposit of polyhalite – a natural mineral fertiliser that will support sustainable farming practices for future generations.
Working on behalf of Anglo American, STRABAG is constructing the world’s longest conveyor tunnel for the permanent Mineral Transport System (MTS), which will move polyhalite from beneath the site in the North York Moors National Park to the processing facility on Teesside.
STRABAG UK’s Senior Occupational Health Advisor, Ronnie Birkett, guided the TBM through its landmark moment.
Woodsmith Project Director Andrew Johnson said: “We are incredibly proud of this milestone.
"The Woodsmith Project is one of the most innovative mining developments in the world today and construction is progressing well.
“We currently employ 1,100 people in the area of which 75% are local – something we are incredibly proud of.
"We are also proud to have a small international workforce with the specialist expertise we need for this unique world-class engineering project that will provide employment for hundreds of local people for many many years to come.”
The tunnel starts at Wilton in Redcar.