Service: Surface Mining

At approx. 3.5 km long, 1.5 km wide and over 600 metres deep, the Superpit is one of Australia’s largest open cut gold mines. Ausdrill was awarded this drilling services contract in 1989 and has delivered over three decades of continuous operation.

In that time we have developed a genuine partnership with our client and a deep understanding of the site. The Ausdrill-designed Rock Commander (RC) 330 and RC 350 Longreach Drill – developed originally through tenure and experience at this very site – has transformed the safe and productive way our team works through the surface mining sequence. Designed around an excavator track base, these rigs enable greater reach and flexibility, providing a safe and highly efficient way to drill in a pit famous for large stopes and underground networks. At the height of the mining cycle 18 production and 3 RC rigs were achieving approximately 240,000 meters per month.

Huntly/ Myara mine is surrounded by developments, so sensitive drill and blast processes and tight QA/QC have been an essential service during Ausdrill’s 10+ year project delivery. We work with our client to monitor weather patterns and wind direction to control blast acoustics and mitigate any air over pressure issues; and adjusted our drilling diameters, depths and stemming to safely continue work when operating within 50m of major power lines and 20m of a main public road. Situated within a water catchment area, a wildlife breeding zone and flanked by dieback affected areas, the mine site has required tight environmental QA/QC and drainage control – both of which have been successfully provided for over a decade.