Capital Drilling, the emerging and developing markets drilling company, is pleased to today announce new contract wins and expansions. One is for Kinross Gold in Ghana  and one is for Barrick Gold in Zambia. Capital Drilling Ghana has recently been awarded a new underground drilling contract with Kinross, which represents a further expansion of activity at the Chirano gold mine, where Capital has been operating since June 2011. The new contract is for one underground diamond rig which is scheduled to arrive on site in Q3 2012. Capital Drilling Zambia has been awarded a contract expansion in the form of additional rigs for development drilling at the Lumwana mine, where the Group has been drilling since 2006. Capital has purchased a further two deep hole diamond rigs and one RC rig, one of which has arrived at site with the other two currently mobilising to site. All rigs are expected to commence drilling in Q3 2012.These new rig additions will increase the company’s fleet to 90 rigs, a net addition of five rigs so far in 2012, noting the Group has recently sold one rig as part of the ongoing program of fleet management.

Commenting on the new contracts, Geoff Fardell, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to announce these new contracts today which demonstrate the continuing development of relationships with our existing customers. The current expansion of the fleet underpins our strategy of focusing on organic growth with blue chip and major mining companies, and operating on long life and robust mining projects.”