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Abergeldie Mining
Introduction
Abergeldie Mining began as Ardent Underground Pty Ltd. John Zeni and Mick Boyle established Ardent Underground Pty Ltd in 2001 and complex infrastructure specialists the Abergeldie Group acquired the company in 2007.
The company's initial goal was to provide a faster, safer and more reliable way of boring large diameter shafts for access, ventilation and foundations. This has been achieved with the successful completion of several blind bored ventilation shafts for BHP Billiton, North Goonyella Coal and Springvale Coal.
As part of the Abergeldie Group, the company can now provide not just shaft drilling and lining but all facets of mining infrastructure including civil works, process engineering and water treatment.
Capabilities
Our drill rigs have been designed using innovative technology and set a benchmark for mechanised shaft excavation. Their drilling capabilities range from 1.5m to 6.5m diameter; up to 700m deep. Our methods and equipment are particularly effective through difficult ground conditions including fractured strata, high pressure aquifers and deep hard rock. Shafts can be built without interruption to mine production.
We provide clients with the complete shaft drilling, lining and infrastructure package including:
- Planning and feasibility,
- Project planning and management,
- Site establishment and rehabilitation,
- Shaft equipping,
- Installation of fans and hoists,
- Process plant and equipment ,
- Civil and water infrastructure.
Methods
Why Blind Boring....?
Our shafts are bored from the surface. During construction the shaft remains full of water which provides stability to the shaft. Cuttings are removed using reverse circulation. This method requires virtually no interface with the existing underground workings and is a big advantage, particularly to new mine developments and tunnelling projects.
Mechanised drilling and lining methods avoid exposing workers to the hazards associated with raise boring and conventional drill and blast shaft excavation, no personnel enter the shafts during any phase of the work.
Shaft Lining Options
A broad range of shaft lining options are available that can be specifically tailored to provide economical and permanent support of the shaft’s wall through any ground conditions. All our shaft lining options can be installed without the need for personnel to be working inside the shaft.
Our lining options include:
- Remotely applied shotcrete for reasonably dry strata,
- Precast concrete segments for ground with significant aquifers,
- Hydrostatically designed steel or composite steel and concrete liners for completely watertight shafts through any strata including severe ground conditions and high pressure aquifers.
The composite steel and concrete liners used by Abergeldie are the first of their type in Australia. The impermeable steel lining is delivered to our job site where steel reinforced concrete is formed and poured into each of the casing sections. The liner sections are then assembled into a continuous pressure bearing, 100% water tight cylinder as they are lowered into the completed shaft. Abergeldie used this technique for shafts at Springvale Coal mine and North Goonyella Mines.
Our Equipment
Our rigs are designed component by component with the view to provide a reliable machine to bore deeper and wider diameter shafts than previously considered viable. We are proud to have eliminated design problems often faced by those using older blind bore shaft rigs.
Our design process focuses on:
- Reducing risks,
- Compliance with mine quality, OH&S and environmental standards and regulations,
- Environmental control and monitoring,
- Removing workers from work face hazards,
- Providing a timely and quality product.
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