Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has secured a contract from BHP to supply three more underground continuous mining systems for the Jansen Potash Stage 2 Project in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The new contract, valued at approximately Skr1.9bn ($184.56m), is a follow-up to the Skr2bn contract for the Jansen Potash Stage 1 Project announced in 2022, which is currently in progress.

The Jansen Potash Project has the potential to become the world's largest potash mine.

The collaboration between Sandvik and BHP has spanned several years, focusing on the development of advanced underground mining equipment.

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

BHP previously awarded Sandvik a contract in 2022 to supply four potash underground continuous mining systems.

The delivery of the systems for Stage 2 is scheduled to commence in 2028 and continue into 2029.

Each mining system comprises a Sandvik MF460 borer miner and a Sandvik PO140 extendable conveyor continuous haulage system.

The Sandvik MF460 is designed to cut widths of 6.3m and heights of up to 4.36m, with the capability to perform one cut and return cut up to 2km long.

Each system is expected to produce between 1,300 and 1,500 tonnes per hour.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions mechanical cutting president Thomas Vallant said: “Development of this revolutionary potash mining system is the result of more than 15 years of close collaboration between Sandvik and BHP.

“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.”

Earlier this year, Worley received a contract to provide construction services for the Jansen Stage 1 Project, with the scope of work covering fabrication, modularisation and field construction programmes.