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Discovering more
about deep drilling
The Wallaby Diamond Drill team has broken the Barminco
record for the deepest hole at over 1,800 metres.
This record has been achieved after more than 11 weeks
of drilling - targeting different ore zones, and reflects the
dedication and professionalism of our Diamond Drillers. They
work as an effective team to prove up ore bodies for our clients
and have great camaraderie.
This result tops the massive 1,588 metres the Barminco team
reached earlier this year and was achieved using the Atlas
Copco U8 rig. It is one of the few rigs on the market which can
drill more than 1,500 metres. The U8 is also faster, has lower
gear ratios and uses a specialised rod handler.
The champion Diamond Drill team at Wallaby are led by
experienced supervisors. Together, they are productive and safe
- the team celebrated 300 days being recordable injury free at
the end of the drill. We’re also pleased to report there were no
significant technical issues over the course of the drill.
Overall a fantastic team effort, well done guys!
From input to innovation
As many of you would know, Barminco is retiring its entire truck
fleet of 54 pieces over the next three years and replacing them
with between 30 and 50 new vehicles. And significantly, the
entire fleet is to be made up of a single make and model of truck.
Excitingly, Barminco’s one-model fleet replacement program is now
underway. Five Sandvik TH663’s were purchased in 2014, with a
further six purchased this year - and there are more to come. But
what is the Sandvik TH663? See below for more details.
Fast Facts
• With an overall length of 11.58 m and a width of 3.48 m, the
truck has an outside turning circle radius of 9.35 m.
• Sandvik TH663 weighs in at 43 tonnes, approximately eight
tons lighter than the model it has replaced, which is reflected
in its fuel consumption.
• Operator safety and comfort are enhanced by an ergonomic and
noise suppressed safety cabin, 35% larger than on earlier models.
• The new front frame suspension has been designed to reduce
jamming vibrations that contribute to driver fatigue and can
cause long-term back and shoulder problems. It has been
designed with speed and safety of maintenance in mind.
• Regular service points are accessible from ground level.
• A unique feature of the truck is its built-in jack system which
provides a much safer and faster means of changing a wheel
in the event of a tyre blow-out underground.
The next generation
Sandvik Mining has announced the forthcoming release of its
new DD422i development drill rig, the first of the company’s
next generation underground hard rock drill rigs. And the
exciting news is that Barminco already has its order in for the
purchase of this latest technology. As you would imagine, the
new rig will offer industry-leading levels of safety, productivity
and automation. It includes a wide variety of new features for
more efficient drilling and is the most advanced underground
mining drill on the market. These include a completely
redesigned and larger cabin, incorporating the highest levels of
operator protection and comfort.
Key safety features also include a Sandvik Access Detection
system designed to reduce risks to workers who enter the rig’s
operating area, readiness for remotely - operated functions that
move workers from hazardous areas to locations where they
can safely operate and a new cabin which is also available as an
acid proof option.
Ergonomic features include joystick controls, fully adjustable
Control Panel and operator seating, significantly improve visibility
through larger windows and improved illumination with LED
lighting, reduce noise, heat and dust levels and an easy-to-use
touch screen graphical user interface.
The new Sandvik DD422i will be delivered to Barminco’s
Sunrise Dam shortly. Watch this space for more details.
page 19
Sandvik DD422i
Deep Drilling