Mammoet supported the rapid replacement of a headframe at BHP’s Jansen potash mine in Canada, using modular construction and heavy transport solutions to streamline the operation.
Located in Saskatchewan, the Jansen project is set to become one of the world’s largest potash mines, with planned production of 8.5 million tonnes per year. Working alongside Ledcor, Mammoet’s scope included removing the lower section of an existing headframe and installing a significantly larger replacement to increase mining capacity.
The new headframe, weighing 2,090 tonnes, was delivered in prefabricated sections from Alberta and assembled on site. Modular construction allowed parallel workstreams, reducing both on-site labour and overall project duration.
Transporting oversized components across rural routes required detailed planning, particularly due to limited staging areas and challenging ground conditions. Extensive ground testing and the deployment of over 400 crane mats ensured stability during operations.
Heavy lifting was carried out using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) and crawler cranes, including an LR1300 and LR1500, while a strand jack system enabled the precise installation of a 60-ton staircase tower within the structure.
The final installation required careful alignment using laser guidance, as the new headframe had to be positioned with extreme accuracy within tight tolerances.
“This was a very precise maneuver,” said Mike de Wilde, Project Manager at Mammoet. “Every deviation could have caused serious issues during installation.”
