Service: Reverse Circulation Drilling

Despite the very remote nature of this project, Ausdrill’s exploration team have successfully delivered specialist RC drilling services. Our partnership has extended to working closely with geological and exploration managers to ensure the challenges of remote work are mitigated and that targets are met.

In line with BHP’s technology roadmap, our exploration crew have utilised our semi-autonomous hands-free drilling equipment to increase safety and efficiency on site. We continue to provide consistent results via deep navigational diamond and RC drilling – increasing accuracy and cost savings.

This long-term contract has garnered over eight years of project partnership, with up to seven exploration rigs during schedule peaks. Our team has met challenging terrain, fractured ground and large water volumes with RC and diamond drilling expertise.

SIMEC Mining owns and operates a 10m tonne per annum iron ore mine in the Middleback Ranges in South Australia, approximately 60 kilometers from the town of Whyalla. These operations incorporate the Iron Baron, Iron Knob and South Middleback Ranges mine sites.Ausdrill has been providing specialist exploration services at Whyalla for over 7 years – beginning with one RC rig and expanding through to 4, following a successful contract extension. Faced with particularly hard ground conditions, our expert crew have continued to deliver as needed, including deep hole pockets of up to 500 meters.