INTRODUCTION
Boretech was contracted by THM Electrical to provide our hard rock drilling expertise in an environmentally and culturally sensitive area.
SCOPE
Boretechs SOW was to install 7,139m of P63 HDPE pipe and pits along a section of the Avon River in the Avon Valley, liaising with other stakeholders including Landowners and Heritage Monitors ensuring a smooth transition of works.
EQUIPMENT
• BT 143 Vermeer 60×90 Running Air Hammer
• BT 35 Vermeer 24×40 Running Air Hammer
• BT 91 Ditch witch AT32 Running All terrain Tricone rock head
• BT 53 Vermeer 40x55DR Running All terrain Tricone rock head
• BT 174 350×1150 Compressor
• BT 177 500×1200 Compressor
• Excavators BT 29, BT30,BT63,BT 100, BT 170
• Multiple Light vehicles
• Vac Trucks BT 01,BT 90,BT 51,BT 61,BT 80
• BT 79 Skid Steer
• BT 172 Telehandler
GROUND CONDITIONS
Ground conditions were predominantly a blue granite, with a few sections of unconsolidated backfill and some sections of Clays.
CHALLENGES
– The challenges faced on this project were initially gaining access to the areas of works, taking equipment into areas that were culturally and historically significant.
– Drilling in areas that are well known to be difficult for standard HDD works, this allowed Boretech to show our experience in drilling granite rock using a mix of all terrain / dual rod techniques and utilising our expertise in using Air Hammers in a Horizontal Drilling Capacity.
– Other Challenges faced were working in areas that were not of the normal for most of the crew. Care had to be taken to avoid incidents with Fauna in the area i.e. snakes, spiders, kangaroos and drop bears. Luckily, we followed the Vegemite rule for dealing with drop bears!!
TEAM SUCCESS
The multiple teams used on the project all had their own successes.
Including drilling the longest shot to date by Boretech with the 24×40 – 247 Meters and 60×90 – 297 meters.
Boretech Drilled a Total of 7,139 meters on the project with above 75% being blue granite & installed 19 C8 pits.
Using the DCI TeraTrak for the first time to assist with bore profile design during the planning of a large creek crossing.
Running rotating roster gaining full utilisation of equipment to meet the contractors extremely tight deadline.
DURATION
3.5 months
DATE COMPLETED
June, 2025
