Sandvik, BHP grow mining systems partnership at Jansen Potash project

BHP has awarded Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions a major contract for three additional underground continuous mining systems for its Jansen Potash Stage 2 project in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The contract follows several years of close collaboration and the ongoing execution of the Jansen Potash Stage 1 project, for which BHP awarded Sandvik a contract to supply four potash underground continuous mining systems in 2022. Deliveries of the systems for Jansen Potash Stage 2 are expected to begin in 2028 and continue through 2029.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with BHP and strengthen our collaboration further with this new order for three additional systems,” said Mats Eriksson, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.

Each mining system consists of a cable-powered Sandvik MF460 borer miner and a Sandvik PO140 extendable conveyor continuous haulage system. Sandvik MF460 will cut widths of 6.3 meters and heights of up to 4.36 meters per cut, with one cut and return cut up to 2 kilometers in length. Each integrated system is capable of producing around 1,300-1,500 tons per hour.

BHP commissioned Sandvik to do the engineering design of Sandvik MF460 from 2010 to 2012. With the borer miner’s high-volume production creating a materials handling challenge, BHP also commissioned Sandvik to concept design and test a simple version of Sandvik PO140 in 2014.

Following successful testing, BHP and Sandvik signed a manufacturing and testing agreement for one Sandvik MF460 and one Sandvik PO140 in 2016. The complete system proved highly productive during tests at SWS (Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG) salt mine in Germany from 2018 to 2021, doubling the industry benchmark for tons per hour. Improvements were identified and designed to further increase the system’s productivity and reliability, including installing ground support roof boltings while cutting and loading, reducing turnaround and relocation time and remote operations potential.

“Development of this revolutionary potash mining system is the result of more than 15 years of close collaboration between Sandvik and BHP,” said Thomas Vallant, President of Mechanical Cutting at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “Sandvik MF460 is the ideal combination of precision and efficiency and will provide improved productivity and reliability for the Jansen projects for years to come.”

The Jansen project has the potential to be the largest potash-producing mine in the world, providing a rich source of potassium, a key ingredient in fertilizer, and supporting global food production.

For further information, please contact:
Thomas Vallant
President of Mechanical Cutting
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Email: thomas.vallant@sandvik.com

Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a global, high-tech engineering group providing solutions that enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability for the manufacturing, mining and infrastructure industries. We are at the forefront of digitalization and focus on optimizing our customers’ processes. Our world-leading offering includes equipment, tools, services and digital solutions for machining, mining, rock excavation and rock processing. In 2023 the Group had approximately 41,000 employees and revenues of about 127 billion SEK in about 170 countries within continuing operations.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, parts, service, digital solutions and sustainability-driving technologies for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, loading and hauling, tunneling and quarrying. In 2023, sales were approximately 66 billion SEK with about 17,000 employees.