INTRODUCTION
Boretech were contracted by a Client working at RTIO’s West Angeles Mine to conduct HDD works as part of the WAAW Turee B Borefield upgrade.
SCOPE
Installation of a DN710mm Sleeve 91.5 meters under an Autonomous Haul road at RTIO’s West Angeles Mine site as part of the WAAW Turee B Borefield upgrade works.
EQUIPMENT
• BT 53 Vermeer D40x55DR Drill , used for pilot hole via dual rod system and Initial reaming sizes.
• BT 143 Vermeer D60x90 HDD Drill , Used to increase hole size from 450mm to 900mm.
• BT37 10,000 Liter mud mixing system.
• BT 135 (The Wombat) 8,000 Litre mud mixing system.
• BT 51 Vermeer 6,000 litre Vac truck.
GROUND CONDITIONS
Varying ground conditions across the Drill shot, with a multitude of rock types encountered including manganiferous shale, chert, dolomite, and banded iron formations.
CHALLENGES
• Boretech’s team onsite were challenged by very abrasive ground conditions and the requirement
to remove a large volume of displaced cuttings totalling approximately 58 m3 . Given the specific gravity (weight) of the ground this required a great deal of patience and persistence from the crew.
• The 710mm sleeve required a final bore diameter of 900mm being achieved via stepping up reamer diameters from the initial pilot hole size of 140mm to reamer sizing’s of 250mm, 350mm, 450mm, 550mm, 750mm and 900mm.
TEAM SUCCESS
The works were completed with a high focus on safety and efficiency.
With a total of 8 different personnel onsite over the timeframe, the first crew being swapped out after 18 days onsite as per the client roster of 18/7 the crews diligently worked with the site requirements to complete the works. The completion of this bore is a credit to all involved.
DURATION
Total duration of the project was 41 days including mobilisation and weekly RDO half days.
DATE COMPLETED
September, 2024
