22 September 2026 19:00 - 21:00 Virtual via Zoom
22 September 2026 | 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual via Zoom
The Woodsmith Project
The Woodsmith Project is one of the largest and most ambitious mining and infrastructure developments currently under construction in the UK. Located near Whitby, North Yorkshire, the project is designed to extract polyhalite, a naturally occurring multi-nutrient mineral used in agricultural fertilisers. Once operational, the mine will access the world's largest known polyhalite deposit through two shafts extending to depths of approximately 1.6 km beneath the North York Moors National Park. Figure 1 below: 64m tall SBR – one of two that are currently creating the 1.6km deep shafts.
To minimise its environmental footprint, the extracted ore will be transported via a 37 km underground Mineral Transport System (MTS) tunnel to processing and export facilities on Teesside, rather than by surface transport. The project combines large-scale mining, tunnelling, shaft sinking, and exploration drilling, making it one of the most technically complex engineering projects in Europe. When completed, Woodsmith is expected to produce 13 million tonnes per annum. Figure 2 below: Map of the Woodsmith Project’s location, and current mining lease.
Accessing this lecture
This event is free of charge, but registration is essential, priority will be given to Fellows and Student Fellows of the Geological Society who are members of the Home Counties North Regional Group. Fellows and Student Fellows of all other Geological Society Regional Groups are welcome to register, also free of charge.
Please provide your membership number when booking your place, and you will be provided with the Zoom login link for the event.
CPD Hours
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) hours – This Home Counties North Regional Group event qualifies for your CPD hours spent travelling to/from and attending the event. The content is intended to be suitable for early career through to experienced geologists and related professionals.
Wyn Young BSc - Mine Geologist, Anglo American
After graduating from Cardiff University in 2018 with a degree in geology, Wyn began his career at the Woodsmith Project as a Shaft Technician. Working underground on the Shaft Boring
Roadheader (SBR), he held responsibility for surveying, geological logging, and engineering support, gaining valuable hands-on experience in one of the UK's most significant infrastructure and mining projects. In 2022, he transferred internally to the geology team, where he has since
supported the project's development across its three shafts,two of which are planned to be 1.6km in depth, 37 km mineral transport tunnel, and exploration drilling programmes. Outside of work, Wyn lives in the Lake District with his wife and dog, spending every possible moment climbing, wild swimming, hiking or planning adventures where he can trick his wife into teaching her more geology (most recently Kyrgyzstan and Japan)!