Salko UK completes complex mechanical & electrical works at Woodsmith – International Mining

Leading mechanical and electrical engineering firm, Salko UK, has successfully completed a full scope of complex mechanical and electrical works at Woodsmith Mine – which will have Europe’s deepest mineshaft. The Yorkshire-based specialist was appointed to deliver full mechanical and electrical installation packages over a five-year contract, including work on both above-ground and deep sub-surface infrastructure.

Salko UK deployed a highly skilled, 80-strong team to deliver EC&I, pipework, ventilation, shaft services and critical power systems through strategic installation, planning, EHS and quality compliance services. Located within the North York Moors National Park, Woodsmith Mine has been designed to extract polyhalite, a naturally occurring, low-carbon fertiliser that will support sustainable agriculture.

Once fully operational, the mine is expected to produce up to 20 Mt of polyhalite per year and is set to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits due to the reduced carbon footprint associated with the product compared to traditional fertiliser production.

Sim Sharphouse, Operations Manager at Salko UK, said: “We’re proud to have played a pivotal role in such a globally significant project based in Yorkshire. Throughout the project, our team has focused on infrastructure that is both high performing and environmentally responsible. Our ventilation and dewatering systems have been engineered for long-term efficiency, helping to reduce energy waste and minimise operational emissions. With over 70 percent of our workforce recruited locally, this project has not only demonstrated our industrial capability but also reinforced our commitment to regional growth and skills development in North Yorkshire.”

To preserve the surrounding landscape, all major surface infrastructure including the mine headframes have been built underground.

The Salko Project team managed the supply (including ordering, logistics, expediting, receiving, and site laydown) and installation of;

The scope included surveying and field measuring of site to confirm field conditions against design documents and manufacturer’s documents; plus placement and anchoring of free issue E-house, supply fan, cooling coils, chillers and exhaust fan (containerised assemblies); plus placement and anchoring of vendor supplied, interconnecting ductwork.

It also covered erection and anchoring of the piping/duct supports on concrete foundations and from building structural members including shimming & grouting wall closures around duct penetrations;
installation of ducting on duct supports including assembly of duct fabrications, cutting of field trim allowances, and field welding of ducts/flanges and supports/ducts.

And it included installation, field grooving, insulating and cladding, and field labelling of piping (according to British Standard 1710 standard); installation of fabric fan isolators between the fans and the ductwork;
support of pre-commissioning, commissioning and start-up activities (field representative to support start-up of fans, chillers, and pumps), and full provision of air-balancing (air-flow measurements), and hydronic first-fills and balancing (fluid flow measurements).