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 0.50cm 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 |