Wedoany.com Report-Dec.25, The tunnel at British mining company Anglo American's Woodsmith Project near Whitby has now exceeded 30 kilometres in length. The tunnel boring machine (TBM), named Stella Rose, has extended what is already the longest continuous drive by a single TBM.

Being built by contractor Strabag, the tunnel will house a conveyor forming the core of the project's mineral transport system (MTS).

This achievement surpasses the previous record of 25.8 kilometres and continues to advance daily. Contractor Strabag is constructing the tunnel for Anglo American. The 4.9-metre diameter tunnel will house a conveyor system that forms the core of the project's Mineral Transport System (MTS).

Once operational, the MTS will transport polyhalite ore from beneath the North York Moors National Park to a processing facility on Teesside. The total planned length of the tunnel is 36.7 kilometres, positioning it to become the world's longest conveyor tunnel of its kind upon completion.

The Woodsmith Project aims to access what is considered the largest known polyhalite resource worldwide. Polyhalite is a naturally occurring mineral containing potassium, sulphur, magnesium, and calcium. It is expected to serve as a sustainable fertiliser in agricultural applications.

The 30-kilometre milestone was reached under the oversight of Ronnie Birkett, senior occupational health advisor at Strabag UK.

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."

He added: "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."

This progress demonstrates steady advancement in the project's key infrastructure component despite adjustments to capital expenditure timelines. The company maintains focus on completing essential elements to support future operations.

The tunnel construction uses advanced mechanised methods to ensure efficiency and safety. Stella Rose, a Herrenknecht single-shield TBM, has been operating since 2019 and continues to set daily benchmarks.

The project aligns with efforts to develop sustainable mineral resources for global agriculture. Polyhalite from Woodsmith offers a balanced nutrient profile that supports environmentally conscious farming practices.

Strabag's role includes delivering the full conveyor tunnel, incorporating innovative approaches to meet the project's scale and environmental considerations. The achievement reflects strong collaboration between the contractor and Anglo American teams.

As tunnelling continues toward the planned 36.7-kilometre completion, expected around 2026 for this phase, the milestone underscores the project's engineering capabilities and long-term potential in the fertiliser sector.