Situated in the North York Moors National Park is one of the most ambitious engineering projects in the UK today, Woodsmith Mine. Uniquely located in one of the UK’s most protected landscapes, the mine has been designed to operate almost entirely underground to minimise visual and environmental disruption.

At Salko UK, we’re proud to be playing a vital role in this transformation, supporting the development of the deepest mineshaft in Europe through advanced Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) works.

The first of its kind

Delivered in collaboration with Anglo American and Redpath Deilmann UK , our work at Woodsmith Mine represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the UK to date.

What sets Woodsmith Mine apart is not just its scale but its innovative approach, requiring both technical excellence and environmental sensitivity. To reduce the visual footprint, all headframes are being constructed below ground level and surface buildings are kept to a minimum.

This innovative design ensures that even as major infrastructure is developed, the surrounding natural beauty of the North York Moors National Park remains largely untouched.

The site also contains the largest and highest grade known resource of polyhalite in the world, a naturally occurring fertiliser rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. Once fully operational, the mine is expected to produce up to 20 million tonnes per year, making it a globally significant contributor to sustainable agriculture

Salko UK’s scope and scale

Since 2020, Salko UK has worked alongside partners to provide full Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) installation packages across the Woodsmith Mine site. With contracts running through to 2025, and over £17.8 million value of  work, delivered to date,  our role in supporting the development of Europe’s deepest mine shaft highlights the scale and strength of our capabilities.

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.

A key area of our mechanical scope included the installation of large-bore steel ducting and glycol pipework that connect external cooling systems directly into the shaft environment.

Through surveying and field measurement to the placement and anchoring of critical assemblies such as fans, chillers and cooling coils, Salko UK managed the complete mechanical delivery. All pipework was fabricated, insulated, labelled and installed in accordance with British Standard 1710.

More than 80 skilled professionals have been deployed on-site including project managers, planners, electricians, mechanical fitters, welders and more.

Building sustainable infrastructure

Our work aligns closely with Anglo American’s FutureSmart Mining™  vision by installing energy-efficient systems that reduce the site’s carbon footprint while maintaining safety, reliability and a strong performance.

Working in such an environmentally sensitive setting required forward thinking engineering and commitment to completing the contract as consciously as possible from the very beginning.  From ventilation to dewatering, every element Salko has delivered is built with long-term sustainability in mind.

As the mine progresses toward full operation, we’re proud to be part of a project that prioritises future-facing and sustainable  infrastructure, hidden from the landscapes of North Yorkshire.

To find out more about our work at Woodsmith Mine, please visit: https://www.salko.co.uk/case-studies/woodsmith-mine-ventilation