Edmonton, AB (November 13, 2025) – Waiward Industrial is proud to announce that it has been awarded the IMPACT Project of the Year in the Fabrication Category for its exceptional work on the Saskatchewan Potash Mine Project. This prestigious recognition celebrates Waiward’s innovation, precision, and dedication to safety and quality on one of the most technically challenging underground mining projects in Canada.
Award-Winning Execution
Waiward’s scope encompassed detailing, connection design, complete fabrication of all structural steel, blasting, coatings, and delivery to site.
A hallmark of this project was the company’s execution of a total of 184 Pre-Assembled Units (PAUs)—each meticulously trial-assembled in Waiward’s Edmonton facility to verify fit-up, alignment, and connection integrity before shipment.
Due to the 1-kilometre-deep underground service shaft, field welding and rework were strictly avoided. This demanded zero-defect fabrication and flawless assembly to ensure every component would integrate seamlessly once lowered into the mine shaft. Each PAU, weighing up to 100 tonnes, required nearly eight hours to be lowered underground, with precision engineering ensuring safety and alignment at every stage.
Technical Highlights
Comprehensive Fabrication & Design: Included structural steel, hitch beams, bridge decks, shaft tower steel, chutes, loading pocket measuring flasks, gates, stairs, ladders, platforms, canopies, and brattice structures.
Underground Installation: The service shaft located 1 km underground, houses skips capable of lifting 50 tonnes of potash per load to the surface.
Rigorous Quality Control: All permanent steel received a three-coat paint system to withstand the mine’s harsh underground conditions.
Precision Assembly:
- 70 PAUs, totaling 184 pre-defined sub-assemblies, were shop-assembled and test-fit prior to shipping.
- Custom hinge assemblies (12) ensured accurate folding and alignment during modular assembly.
- A 15-tonne folding module was lifted and rolled into position using a coordinated four-crane lift.
- 100-tonne floor sections were test-fit to verify underside connections.
- Lifting points were installed per engineering design to facilitate safe and efficient on-site handling.
A Model of Collaboration & Innovation
“This project represents the very best of what Waiward stands for—safety, precision, and innovation through collaboration, working alongside our client and partners, our team delivered a fabrication scope that demanded technical excellence and problem-solving. We’re honoured to be recognized by IMPACT for this remarkable achievement.” said Paul Devine, Vice President of Fabrication, Waiward Industrial.
About the Award
The IMPACT Project of the Year Awards, hosted by the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), celebrate outstanding contributions in fabrication, erection, and rigging. The Fabrication category recognizes excellence in off-site shop fabrication that enhances project safety, efficiency, and quality.
About Waiward Industrial
For 50 years, Waiward is a premier provider of engineering and drafting, fabricated steel, construction, and sustaining capital and maintenance services. We operate across Western Canada and provide solutions to various sectors, including energy, petrochemical and refining, mining, energy transmission markets, and clean technology. As one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, our commitment to our customers and partners is our highest priority, as we work to provide quality products and exceptional service that exceed expectations. For more information visit, www.waiward.com or follow Waiward on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.