Bauer Technologies was appointed by Sirius Minerals Plc to install three up to 120m deep diaphragm wall shafts, with diameters between 8m and 35m, as part of the works to construct the UK’s deepest mine, which over a period of five years will see Sirius Minerals extract large quantities of Polyhalite for global distribution.

The ground conditions at Woodsmith Mine were challenging and the intermittent nature of the geological lamination made the cuttings process technically challenging, which required Bauer to deploy a number of cutter wheel configurations to optimise performance.  In addition, the wheels were equipped with three types of bespoke teeth, in nine variations of size, position and strength. As part of Bauer’s scope of works large quantities of bentonite slurry had to be reconditioned in a complex de-sanding plant, by use of specially designed polymer-based additives.

Bauer commenced works on the first panel at the beginning of December 2017 and completed its scope of the project, to the agreed programme, in December 2018.