State of progress at Anglo-American Woodsmith Mine

There has been a significant pause through March and April in construction and development on the Anglo-American mining project. Re-structuring after the financial collapse of Sirius Minerals and the Covid-19 pandemic have held back progress, although some activity has now recommenced at the minehead site. Work is taking place on the service shaft to prepare for the start of shaft-sinking down to 1500m; this is expected to begin in the next 2-3 weeks. Additional work is taking place on the production foreshaft and on the mineral transport shaft. Work at Lockwood Beck (site of the intermediate tunnel access shaft) is still restricted to care and maintenance, with no date for construction to recommence. The tunnel drive from Wilton has now reached about 6km towards Lockwood Beck. Along with our partners at the National Park Authority, we continue to monitor the environmental impacts of this huge project.