IM 2017 June 17 | Page 24

UNDERGROUND DRILLING
development and mining contract in February
2017 following a competitive tender process.
PYBAR has recently introduced a second
jumbo to increase development rates, especially
on the 2225 and 2200 level. Sample stoping on
2225 and a gold stope on 2200 will occur soon
with a focus on drawpoint development and sublevel
cave initiation and growth to follow.
Production will ramp up during 2017, peaking in
early 2018. PYBAR will have a peak team of 72
personnel at Mungana.
The zinc-rich King Vol polymetallic base metal
deposit is located 25 km northwest of the
Mungana mine site. The King Vol deposit was
first mined in 1922 from shallow underground workings. The records indicate that about 2,200 t of ore was produced before groundwater stopped the mine in 1925. Modern exploration in the King Vol area recommenced in the late 1960s and carried on under numerous owners until 2015 when Auctus acquired the project.
Auctus has since reached a number of development milestones, awarding the five year mining and development contract to PYBAR in February 2017 following a competitive tender process. Since mobilising to site on 1 February, PYBAR has established the portal and ground support, developed the first 40 m of the decline, and established the explosive magazines, temporary workshop and offices. Over the coming months the permanent offices, workshop,
ablutions, batch plant and sewerage treatment plant will be established, as well as pushing the decline down and developing the first levels to begin production in the second half of this year. PYBAR will have a peak team of 83 personnel at King Vol with equipment currently on site comprising a twin boom jumbo, LHD trucks, shotcreting and ancillary gear.
PYBAR CEO Paul Rouse said:“ The award of the Mungana and King Vol contracts is significant for PYBAR. Along with our recent contract award at Thalanga and long standing partnership at Mt Isa, we are re-establishing our presence at underground projects in Queensland as we enter a new nation-wide phase of growth.
“ Our focus at these sites, and operations-wide, is on building a close working relationship with

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African Underground Mining Services( AUMS), a 50:50 JV between Ausdrill and Barminco Holdings, recently announced that it has been awarded the Subika underground mining contract with Newmont Ghana Gold at the Ahafo complex in Ghana. The contract is a five-year term to supply all underground mining services for the Subika underground mine,
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drilling and associated services. The contract has an estimated value of $ 280 million.
Barminco was one of the first contractors to order the Sandvik DD422i next generation drill rigs
Contractor innovation
Offering a complete suite of underground mining services and using the most productive, technologically advanced equipment available in the industry globally, Barminco says it delivers safe, flexible and cost efficient performance. As part of its company values Barminco states:“ We invest in our future by driving continuous improvement through innovation and pragmatic application of new technology.” Barminco has a history of partnering with its equipment suppliers in the development or commercial application of new technologies.
In keeping with this commitment to innovation, in 2015 when Sandvik announced the release of its new DD422i development drill rig, which is the first of the company’ s next generation underground hard rock drill rigs – Barminco was one of the first underground contractors to place an order for this new technology.
Barminco states:“ This rig offers industry leading levels of safety, productivity and automation. The new technology offers a wide variety of new features for more efficient drilling and is the most advanced underground mining drill on the market. It includes a wide variety of new features for more efficient drilling.”
These features include a completely redesigned and larger cabin, incorporating the highest levels of operator protection and comfort. Other key safety features also include a Sandvik Access Detection system designed to reduce risks to workers who enter the rig’ s operating area, and readiness for remotely-operated functions that move workers from hazardous areas to locations where they can safety operate; as well as a new cabin which is also available with an acid proof option. Ergonomic features include joystick controls, fully adjustable Control Panel and operator seating, significantly improved visibility through larger windows and improved illumination with LED lighting, reduced noise, heat and dust levels and an easy to-use
22 International Mining | JUNE 2017