Business: Ausdrill

In 2021 Ausdrill assisted to move the mine’s ore crusher to the Larego site. This includes works for a new crusher, feed line, and refinery (haul road construction, crusher circle, and facilities), as well as sensitive blasting around major power lines present on site that feed the largest towns throughout the SouthWest region. Ausdrill is providing a number of resourcing efficiencies at Larego by pooling resources and sharing its personnel across nearby mine sites. Our trusted team of locals, many of whom have worked in the area for almost 10 years, brings a proven and loyal foundation to our service provision.

While primarily an underground gold mine, Sunrise Dam commenced open cut mining at a satellite pit during 2021. Ausdrill has successfully been providing a variety of services, while efficiently and safely working around present-day underground operations.

The Mount Monger goldfield is marked by a series of historic workings extending northward under a shallow alluvial cover. Ausdrill have developed a valuable long-term partnership with Silverlake Resources by consistently delivering RC and diamond drilling expertise for over 8 years.

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.

Our exploration team has been expertly providing diamond drilling and P.C.D chipping drilling to a number of sites across the Bowen Basin. In line with BHP’s technology road map, we have provided semi-autonomous hands-free drilling capabilities, which have increased safety on site and lowered costs.

Ausdrill was brought in to open a new extension to an existing pit. Swift mobilisation was required and delivered to obtain all necessary licenses and achieve full production status. Our drilling and blasting services at Millennium are provided within close proximity to an active underground mine. As such, vibration limits alongside significant dust suppression methods are employed to ensure that dust does not enter neighbouring mine portals or vent shafts.

The Ausdrill team was met with the need to mobilise, facilitate the on-site construction of two new Caterpillar MD6310 drills, and seamlessly take over drilling. Ausdrill provided a project manager with engineering capabilities to offer bespoke blasting knowledge and maximise coal production. Health and safety were also engaged early to create a shared, industry-leading protocol and meet all production milestones.

Ausdrill has delivered two significant projects at Eliwana: crusher pocket access, followed by rail corridors. Both of these projects required meticulous delivery and tight quality control: we provided specialised loading, blasting and timing techniques to keep vibrations and over blast within limits to protect sensitive heritage sites; delivered a perfect crusher pocket opening in the side of a sheer cliff while protecting a nearby dolerite dyke; and completed a 3000 ton concrete pour for a super structure Off Shore Processing facility. Thereafter, expertly blasting within 10 meters of this structure.

The Ausdrill team was met with the need to mobilise, facilitate the on-site construction of four new Caterpillar MD6250 drills, and seamlessly take over drilling just before the height of COVID-19. Our dedicated project lead worked hand-in-hand with our client, OEM, and each sector manager to ensure that the drill delivery plan was created and commissioned in a timely manner. Despite global challenges and record-breaking floods, our competent team met each key milestone, did not lose a single day of production, and achieved an excellent safety record.