North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers (NEIMME)

Neville Hall, Newcastle

The 37-kilometre Woodsmith Mine Mineral Transport System (MTS) is a single-bore, 6 metre diameter hard-rock Tunnel Boring Machine tunnel. Excavation commenced in the Redcar Mudstone in 2019. The original scope of the MTS was to launch three TBMs and excavate two 360 metres deep, large-diameter shafts to launch two of the three TBMs. Today, we have one 6 metre diameter TBM tunnel and two deep shafts, excavated using the blind-bore method, to a depth of 390 metres and a diameter of 3.65 metres. The MTS tunnel is the longest single-drive TBM tunnel in the world. Every day that we mine, we extend that record. This presentation outlines the geotechnical challenges encountered along the 30,650 metres mined so far. Challenges along the alignment include excavation through fault zones beneath the abandoned Cleveland Ironstone Mines; excavation of adits in very weak mudstone 360 metres below ground level, excavation of two timber headings from the side of the TBM to allow a full cutterhead refurbishment, hyper-saline water entering the alignment, ground-gas events, and mining through 14 fault zones. Christopher Brady was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and is a Geotechnical Manager at STRABAG UK, with over 20 years’ experience in the geotechnical and engineering geology fields. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Geotechnical and Environmental Engineer for Sirius Remediation, based in County Durham, carrying out site investigation and remediation of brownfield sites across the United Kingdom. This work led to a role on the New Tyne Crossing (Tyne Tunnels) project with Bouygues in 2009. From there, he was offered a role in Hong Kong, where he worked as an Engineering Geologist on tunnels, shafts and caverns excavated using TBMs, raise boring and drill-and-blast methods. During his time in Hong Kong, Chris also took the opportunity to work on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, on a 9-kilometre section of 715 bored piles, in the South China Sea. Returning to the United Kingdom and settling in Northumberland, Chris has been the Geotechnical Manager on the Woodsmith MTS tunnel since 2019 … from the Toon to Kowloon! Neil Jackson is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, with more than 25 years of experience in the UK mining industry. His career has covered operational mining, shaft engineering, major project delivery, commissioning, engineering assurance and statutory engineering governance. Neil began his mining career at Boulby Mine, where he spent more than 15 years in shaft engineering and maintenance roles. During this time, he developed extensive practical experience in mine infrastructure, hoisting systems, shaft rehabilitation and mechanical reliability. He later joined Mammoet as a project engineer, delivering complex lifting and heavy-transport solutions across the mining, rail, petrochemical and process industries. In 2019, Neil joined Anglo American’s Woodsmith Project during the shaft-sinking phase. He is currently the Appointed Mechanical Engineer for the project, providing technical assurance and engineering governance across major mining and tunnelling infrastructure. His responsibilities include regulatory compliance, risk management, contractor governance and engagement with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Mines. Throughout his career, Neil has contributed to technically challenging projects involving mine shafts, tunnelling systems, hoisting installations, conveyors, ventilation systems and other safety-critical mining assets. His approach combines practical mining experience with proportionate engineering assurance, with a strong focus on ensuring that equipment and systems are safe, compliant and operationally effective. Neil also represents the United Kingdom on ISO Technical Committee 82 Working Group 4, contributing to the development of international standards for mine shaft design, construction and maintenance. He chairs the United Kingdom’s Central Engineering Forum, which brings together mine operators and engineering leaders to share experience, discuss common challenges and promote good engineering practice across the industry. 17:30-18:00 - Tea and Coffee 18:00-18:50 – Live-streamed talk starts 18:50 to 19:00 - Q & A

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Welcome to our NEIMME Lecture. NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: mininginstitute.org.uk/membership/For information on IOM3 membership see: www.iom3.org/

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