Australia-based under- ground hard-rock min- ing contractor Barminco reports that mine life can be extended through drilling pro- grammes. The company successfully completed its most complicated drilling programme to date, at gold giant AngloGold Ashanti’s Moab Khotsong gold mine, in the Vaal river area of South Africa.

Barminco was required to drill some difficult directional holes, up to 1 650 m, to advance the development closer to the target reef block and confirm the complexity of the geological structure.

The holes had to be drilled near to horizontal and were deeper than any diamond drilling Barminco has undertaken in the past.

By overcoming these challenges, the company proved that it is possible to steer the direction of a hole to hit a small target, says Barminco business development manager Mark Everett.

“The results we achieved at Moab [Khotsong] have made other mining companies around the world take note of our capabilities and solutions, that we present, to overcome the challenges that they are facing at their own mines. Our experience and technical expertise came into play significantly in this situation.”

Everett adds that demand for this complex drilling capability is expected to increase in the coming years, as orebodies are increasingly located at greater depths, making them more difficult to access.

Barminco developed its capability in underground mining services with the advent of decline mining in Western Australia in the 1980s. This allowed rapid access to underground mine reserves, a method that underpinned Australia’s rise to the top three-ranking gold producers in the world.

The contractor has operations primarily in gold, copper and nickel ore deposits. It offers clients a full suite of underground mining services, from mine development to production.

Barminco has reinforced its position as one of the leading underground mining contractors globally through the use of proven mining methods, experienced and well-trained teams, and the latest robust technologies.