Raise drill tackles first African project

The Redbore 100, “the crown jewel” of Redpath Mining’s series of raise drills, is undertaking its inaugural African project, in Zambia, extols Redpath Mining Africa raiseboring manager Johan Davel.

- Tasneem Bulbulia

“One of the most powerful, largest capacity, proven raise drills ever manufactured” is in operation at Zambian registered copper miner Mopani Copper Mines’ Synclinorium vent shaft project, Davel tells Mining Weekly.

He states that the Redbore 100 has met the project’s target rates, with Redpath on track to meet the projected completion date in July.

The Redbore 100 is being used to drill a 1 170-m-deep, 6.1-m-diameter ventilation shaft in two sections of about 700 m and 470 m each. The ventilation shaft project uses a combination of conventional raiseboring and blind sink methods to provide sufficient ventilation to the bottom of the mine.

With the Redbore 100 having drilled similar holes in Canada and Australia, Davel says securing a project for the raise drill in Africa “was a major win for our African business”.

Redpath has been able to grow its foot print in the African market, despite the global economic downturn, he says, adding that the company regards the continent as the perfect location to base Redpath’s flagship raise drill machine.

Redpath Mining Africa raiseboring projects manager