Roy Hill Iron Ore is to add a third drill rig at its operations in Western Australia after Vysarn subsidiary Pentium Hydro confirmed receipt of an additional purchase order from the company.

The mobilisation of a third rig is part of the general works contract Roy Hill and Pentium Hydro signed back in 2019. This was for dual rotary and reverse circulation water bore drilling services.

Under this contract, Roy Hill may at any time over an initial period of two years (which can be extended by Roy Hill for a further year), submit a work request to Pentium to perform works such as dual rotary and RC water bore drilling services, minor civil earthworks and/or rotary air and conventional drilling services, at locations instructed by Roy Hill.

The third rig being mobilised to Roy Hill, expected to be in place by the end of April, is the eighth rig Pentium Hydro has deployed from its fleet.

Based on the current scope the first phase of the purchase order is expected to be complete within four to five months of mobilisation, Pentium Hydro said.