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Anglo American Woodsmith Project - Woodsmith Mine and Mineral Transport System Environmental Impact Assessment Non-Technical Summary 1 Introduction 1.1 The Applicant 1. The Applicant is Anglo American Woodsmith Ltd, a subsidiary of Anglo American Plc. The Company is developing the Woodsmith Project in the UK and aims to be a world leading producer of multi-nutrient fertiliser. This involves the construction of a new state-of-the-art mine and associated mineral transportation, processing and port infrastructure to produce bulk volumes of polyhalite products. 2 Background to the Woodsmith Project 2. The Woodsmith Project was acquired by Anglo American in 2020 and is targeting the world’s largest and highest grade polyhalite deposit. 3. Polyhalite is a naturally occurring mineral containing major plant nutrients; potassium, sulphur, magnesium and calcium, that are essential for plant growth. As a multi-nutrient fertiliser Polyhalite’s use in the UK and internationally will support the agricultural sector in maintaining and enhancing crop yields, while promoting more sustainable farming practices. 4. The Woodsmith Project comprises a mine site (Woodsmith Mine) and a 37 km tunnel that will transport mined polyhalite material to processing and shipping facilities located on Teesside. There are five key elements of the Woodsmith Project, as follows: • The underground mine with a surface access point at Woodsmith Mine, Sneatonthorpe. • A Mineral Transport System (MTS) consisting of a 37km long tunnel that will transport the polyhalite material from the Woodsmith Mine to a Materials Handling Facility (MHF) located at Teesside. Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck are the two Intermediate shaft sites located along the underground MTS route, used to support the construction of the MTS tunnel • The MHF will granulate the polyhalite material to produce polyhalite products. • A Port Handling Facility (PHF) and associated overland conveyor to transport the polyhalite products to the harbour facilities. • Harbour facilities at Teesside. 2.1 Planning History 5. In 2014, planning applications were submitted to the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC) for permission to develop a polyhalite mine and underground MTS. This was supported by an Environmental Statement (ES) produced by Royal HaskoningDHV (Royal HaskoningDHV, 2014), which was updated by the following assessment, together forming the ‘original ES’: • Supplementary Environmental Information (2015 SEI), Royal HaskoningDHV, February 2015 (reference PB1110/R004/303688).
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
1 April 2026
1000-RHD-PA-RP-00005
1
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