CASE STUDIES AND PROJECTS
Our track record speaks for itself...
We provide specialised drilling services to blue-chip, major and mid-tier companies across a number of commodities
and sectors.
MINING
INFRASTRUCTURE
ENERGY
Rio de Janeiro
CHALLENGE:
Extension of the Rio underground metro, requiring three new ventilation shafts (two 4.1m in diameter at a depth of 100m, and one 5m in diameter at a depth of 100m)
RESULT:
- Project completed on time, within budget and without deviation
- 100% safety record achieved during the duration of the project
SOLUTION:
Master Drilling addressed the following project challenges:
- Pilot holes had to be drilled without deviation
- Restricted access to site was resolved through the construction of custom-made ramps so that drilling machines could be transported to the appropriate areas
- Operating hours were reduced to between 08:00 am and 22:00 pm, and noise levels had to be kept to a minimum as a result of surrounding residential areas
- Effective stakeholder engagement with all parties involved and an emphasis on effective environmental management procedures
PROJECT STATS:
| Type of drilling type | Raise boring |
| Machine | Raise bore rig 009H |
| Excavation depth (m) | 3 x 100m holes |
| Diameter | 2 x 4.1m 1 x 5m |
| Geology | Competent |
| Contractor | Odebreght |
| Project Owner | Rio Metro |
Colombia
CHALLENGE:
A 47° hole with directional drilling (staying within a 50cm radius) had to be achieved for the first time
RESULT:
- Despite project start delays outside of Master Drilling’s control, the project was completed five months ahead of schedule
SOLUTION:
Master Drilling addressed the following project challenges:
- Master Drilling embarked on the project, servicing the country’s largest hydroelectric project when it reaches full operation, producing up to 2.4GW
- The total scope was 2462m (2131m x 4.1 diameter x 90° and 331 m x 2.4 diameter hole with a 47° inclination, drilled with directional drilling)
PROJECT STATS:
| Type of drilling type | Directional drilling |
| Machine | Use of 4 x 3250 DC drive machines |
| Excavation depth (m) | 1 x 331 m x 47° x 2.4 m diameter and holes between 127 m x 90° and 80 m x 90° x 4,1 m diameter |
| Diameter | 2,4 diameter and 4,1 diameter |
| Geology | Rock conditions: between poor and good formations. |
| Project Owner | Concorcio Ituango |
South Africa
CHALLENGE:
Completion of 4.5m diameter x 985m length at 90º shaft with ground hardness between 200 MPa and 250 MPa. There were a slight deviation of 350mm
RESULT:
- The project was completed on budget, within stipulated time frames
- 100% safety record achieved
- Three local community members formed part of its drilling crew
SOLUTION:
Master Drilling addressed the following project challenges:
- Work had to continue amid a six-month mine strike
- Lading had to take place via the funky slide method - this is where rocks are loaded with a winch onto a belt and then carried over into a hopper in order to be transported out of the mine
PROJECT STATS:
| Machine | Raise boring machine |
| Excavation depth (m) | 985m |
| Diameter | 4.5m diameter |
| Geology | Hard rock |
| Project Owner | Lonmin |
CHALLENGE:
The client in Russia, had an urgent requirement for the vertical development of 2 ore passes and 2 ventilation raises.
RESULT:
The project was successfully completed in time, despite the impacts of protocols introduced due to Covid-19. The client was very pleased with our operations.
SOLUTION:
Master Detra used raise boring to drill/bore the 2 ventilation shafts. Master Detra utilized raise boring technology to excavate the ore passes and ventilation raises.
- Boring operations were done in 2 uninterrupted shifts per day.
- Operations were performed on a 24/7 cycle.
- automatically middle size raise boring rig was used for the operations.
- A PLC control rig with a hands-free rod handling system was used to improve safety and efficiency.
- Master Drilling provided raise boring training to Russian specialists for further related projects in Russia.
PROJECT STATS:
| Machine | Master Drilling RD3A-250 with hands-free rod handling system |
| Excavation depth (m) | 93m to 132m |
| Diameter | 2.4 m diameter |
| Geology | Gabbro, solid beds, stable |
| Project Owner | JSC Kolskaya Mining-and-metallurgical integrated works (subsidiary of PJSC Norilsk Nickel), Severnyy-Glubokyy (North-Deep) Mine, Zapolyarnyy town. |