Construction crews will excavate around 800,000 tons of rock to make space for the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. But first, teams must carve out a quarter-mile-high ventilation shaft.
LBNF/DUNE
From the Black Hills Pioneer, July 23, 2021: The Thyssen Mining crew working on LBNF/DUNE was honored for their heroic efforts in rescuing residents from an apartment fire on July 10. The mayor of Lead declared July 23 “Thyssen Mining Company Employee’s Day within the city of Lead,” for their brave actions and positive impact on the community.
When a fire broke out at a nearby apartment building, employees at the company excavating the caverns for the LBNF/DUNE project didn’t hesitate to respond.
From The Black Hills Pioneer, July 2, 2021: As excavation begins for the LBNF/DUNE, planning and communication are critical to lowering huge pieces of equipment underground. Read more about how Thyssen Mining and the Sanford Underground Research Facility crews are working together to ensure everyone understands the plan and the process.
From the Black Hills Pioneer, June 20, 2021: The former Homestake Gold Mine was the largest and deepest in the western hemisphere and today it is the largest science project attempted on U.S. soil. The LBNF/DUNE includes a collaboration of more than 1,300 scientists from 32 countries. Read more about the significant impacts LBNF/DUNE is having on South Dakota.
How do you build a ship in a bottle? Everything necessary to construct the enormous Fermilab-hosted international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment must fit down a narrow, mile-deep shaft cut through solid rock. Contractors have started the months-long process of disassembling excavation equipment and lowering it underground.
From KOTA-TV (Rapid City, SD), May 16, 2021: Sanford has a $1.6 billion economic impact and generates over 1,000 jobs in South Dakota.
From the STFC, May 12, 2021: STFC and US-based Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have agreed to collaborate on building one of the world’s most powerful linear accelerators.
From Sanford Lab, May 10, 2021: Activities at the Sanford Underground Research Facility will have significant benefits for the state of South Dakota over the next decade.
The Ross Hoists, built in the 1930s, receive major upgrades in preparation for LBNF/DUNE construction and operation.