Projects

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PCS Scissors Creek

Located near the town of Rocanville Saskatchewan, the Scissors Creek project is a 6m diameter composite lined shaft that will be sunk to an ultimate depth of 1123m including a 600m deep section of frozen ground.

Traditionally, temporary headframes are used for the sinking portions, and only when sinking is complete and the ground thaws, is the permanent headframe construction started. For Scissors Creek, an alternative methodology was developed, whereby the freeze circle is "bridged" by the headframe, which is supported on piles spanned by massive concrete reinforced beams below grade and external to the ground freeze circle.

This method precludes the requirement for temporary and permanent headframe construction; therefore eliminating excessive costs and scheduling to PotashCorp. The freeze holes and final liner designs (varied by depth and geology) were completed early last year. Actual freeze plant operations and ground freezing has progressed sufficiently to allow sinking in the upper portions of the shaft to begin, with the freeze the wall thickness already stable down to 400 m below the collar.