| 49 Development in the declines continues underground with 246 metres safely developed. Federation Mining: Snowy River Gold Project MINING Alton Drilling are very excited to have been appointed by Federation Mining for the diamond drilling and dewatering programon the Snowy River Gold Mine project, near Reefton and are already making good progress. The job involves drilling up to 10,000 metres underground into the ‘Birthday’ Reef below the former Blackwater mine, the goal being to bring the mine into future gold production. Fromhumble beginnings in 1983, Alton Drilling has grown its contracting division and currently employs over 160 sta who hold a wide range of expertise and experience. We have also had the opportunity to grow our Design and Manufacturing business who are playing a big part in assisting Federation Mining with their dewatering aspect of the project. Alton Drilling Owner Cory Ibbotson says the Snowy River Gold Mine project is an exciting project and we are proud to be playing our part.” “We currently have two rigs operating 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, the second rig was commissioned mid-May and there is potential for a third machine later in the year,” Cory reveals. “We have chosen to run BL LM110 DCI exploration drilling rigs, which are compact but suited to the environment and ground conditions. They are capable of drilling up to 1000 metres horizontally. “The project is gaining momentum, to cater for our crews we house our team in Reefton and are grateful to contribute positive growth for the West Coast and its communities.” Complex drilling takes the right team “We have an extensive team of specialised operators across the country and o shore, our own in-house training department plays a huge part in the success in upskilling of the growing team. Working in di icult and challenging ground conditions is nothing new for the Alton team. We have many years’ experience in working in and around historic underground old workings. “We were involved in this project early on, drilling around the portal for stability and strength, so we had equipment on site from early in the project. We then left Federation to it for 18 months, to get the declines down, and now we are back working around the clock with exploration and de-watering programes. We have been tasked to drill a number of holes, our rigs are designed to drill a number of holes at any angle from a single location until they [Federation Mining] have proven an area.” Key to the company’s success has been its lexibility and unmatched technical capabilities. Continual research into new drilling rigs and equipment keeps Alton Drilling at the forefront of drilling in New Zealand and globally, o ering expert and technical knowledge and deliver site speci ic drilling solutions to enable its clients to make informed business decisions. Our Values: Resourceful – Weareable to indsafe, quick andclever solutions.Wearedependable, reliableanddo it right the irst time. Respectful –We pay attention, have regard and consider the values of every personwe encounter. We have a safe, fun optimistic attitude in all we do – always positive and laughwhenwe can. Genuine –We are authentic and real in all aspects of work and interactionswith others. What we dowe do to the best of our ability. Alton Drilling is proud to be associated with Federation Mining and look foward to continuing to work closely together.
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