CANADIAN TECHNOLOGY
Reny said the compressive strength of both the fluid and thick
consistency permafrost grouts easily surpassed the typical requirement of
20 MPa at 24 hours, an industry benchmark for cable bolting.
“It should also be noted that an increase in compressive strength
between days one, seven and 28 is not significant, although is typical for
permafrost grout technology considering most of the compressive strength
is developed within the first 24 hours,” he said.
These two new products are now commercially known as King Nordic
Cable for the fluid consistency grout and King Nordic Cable TC for the thick
consistency grout.
Reny concluded: “The utilisation of a modified cementitious grout in the
harsh cold conditions of the Canadian Arctic has been demonstrated for
multiple applications such as surface piles and underground cable bolting.
It has also been proven that these new modified cementitious grout mix
designs can be adapted to the latest technology in automatic bolters for
underground cable bolting.
“This will improve the mining cycle time in a safe and economical
manner, which will allow operations in northern mines to more quickly
access ore reserves.”
Deals
Earlier this year, Timmins-based manufacturing and equipment supply
company, Mill-Ore Industries Inc, was acquired by FLSmidth. The
manufacturer and remanufacturer of mineral processing equipment, circuits
and systems will help the Denmark-based company increase its level of
service for customers in the mining-rich hub of eastern Canada, FLSmidth
said.
Major Drilling has long since outgrown its New Brunswick roots, having
established itself as a global contract drilling company with an expansive
fleet and experienced personnel to tackle the majority of drilling
applications.
Late last year, it bolted on Norex Drilling, a family-owned drilling
company and leading exploration drilling contractor based in Timmins,
Ontario, in a deal that amounted to C$18.7 million.
When announcing the planned acquisition in October, Denis Larocque,
President & CEO of Major Drilling, said Norex had been operating
successfully in the Ontario marketplace for around 40 years and had a solid
reputation with its clients.
“The acquisition of Norex is a unique opportunity for Major Drilling to
gain a strong position to service our customers in both surface and
underground exploration drilling services in the prolific north-eastern
Ontario region,” he said. “The culture and operational values of both
companies are very similar in terms of personnel and strategies, and this
will allow us to provide our customers with expanded drilling services.”
Major Drilling retained the management team, gained access to skilled
and experienced drillers and personnel, and took over existing contracts,
according to the company.
Through the purchase, it will also acquire an additional 22 drill rigs,
including 17 compatible specialised surface drill rigs and five underground
drills, together with related support equipment and inventory. After
disposing of 15 “older and inefficient rigs”, Major Drilling had 611 rigs on its
books at the end of December.
One of these rigs played a major role in a record-breaking
accomplishment this year.
On January 26, it helped sink Canada’s longest diamond drill hole at
Osisko Mining’s Windfall Lake gold deposit in Québec.
The Discovery 1 hole was a planned 3,000-3,500 m drill hole, designed to
target two down plunge extensions of known gold zones and investigate the
projected source area of the Windfall deposit at depth, according to Osisko.
The record-breaking hole – at 3,467 m deep – achieved a vertical depth of
2,700 m from surface thanks to NQ rods and BQ rods. IM
MacLean pro oduction
d ti su pportt
mining vehic cles
m
L Leadin g the
t charge,
E EV-ready y now.
Visit: mac leaneng gineering.com/ev
CANADA | MEXICO | PER U | SOUTH AFRI CA | A USTRALIA