The Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) has awarded a three-year drilling contract at the Groote Eylandt manganese mine to Boart Longyear™ Drilling Services.

GEMCO is an open-pit mining operation, producing high-grade manganese ore that is shipped to GEMCO’s Tasmania, Australia, manganese alloy plant and around the world.

Located on an island in the Gulf of Carpentaria off the Australian coast, it is currently the largest and one of the lowest-cost manganese ore producers in the world, according to Boart.

To continue to develop the mine, Boart Longyear is providing 16 employees including fitters and full-time drilling supervisors to operate two RC rigs. The crews will be responsible for drilling 4,800 holes, approximately 115,200 m, over the three-year contract.

GEMCO is owned by South32 and Anglo American, with the former holding 60% and the latter having a 40% interest.