Anglo American has selected Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, as one of its engineering and project delivery partners for feasibility study services for the Woodsmith Project in North Yorkshire, England.
Stantec’s scope includes the engineering of hoisting, shafts, material handling, and underground infrastructure for the polyhalite fertiliser mine which is being built on the largest known deposit of polyhalite in the world. Stantec will work with Anglo American and Fluor. Fluor was recently announced as providing feasibility study services for the project.
“This project reflects the growing need to balance resource development with environmental stewardship,” said John Ord, business director for Stantec’s Energy & Resources business in the UK and Ireland. “Our team brings deep experience in hoisting and shafts as well as underground infrastructure and integrated project delivery, and we’re looking forward to working alongside Anglo American and Fluor to advance this important project. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply our global capabilities in the UK market, supporting the need for sustainable agricultural production while minimising impact on the natural landscape.”
Designing for environmental stewardship through engineering innovation
Situated beneath the North York Moors National Park, the project is designed to meet strict environmental requirements, including limitations on surface structures, noise, and light. To minimise surface impact, key infrastructure such as headframes will be located underground—an approach that is uncommon in global mining projects.
The Woodsmith mine will extract polyhalite, known as the product POLY4,a naturally occurring multi-nutrient mineral used to support soil health and food production. Once developed, the project is expected to play a role in strengthening long-term agricultural supply chains.
Drawing on global experience to deliver complex underground scope
The project will be managed through Stantec’s UK operations and will draw on experience from across the company’s global mining team, including its hoisting/shafts centre of excellence in the U.S.
Stantec’s experience on large-scale underground and shaft projects includes work on developments such as the BHP Jansen potash mine, Nutrien Allan potash operations, and Resolution Copper project, as well as UK-based hydropower infrastructure like the Coire Glas Pumped Storage project.
These projects demonstrate the firm’s capability in delivering complex underground systems in technically and environmentally sensitive environments, making Stantec an ideal partner for the Woodsmith project. Learn more about Stantec’s Mining, Minerals, and Metals team.
About Stantec
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.
We are a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more.
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Media Contact
Ben Carter
Stantec Media Relations
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Calum Metcalfe
Stantec Media Relations
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