After a strong performance at Deep South last year, the Epiroc Easer has exceeded planned expectations this year during a three month campaign at the Hera Au/Pb/Zn mine with leading underground mining contractor PYBAR. “The rig’s scope of works at Hera gave our team the opportunity to test and prove all three of the rig’s drilling modes: boxhole, down reaming and conventional. In doing so, we achieved a world first as no other Easer has completed all three methods outside of factory testing.”

The initial scope at Hera was for 2 x 1.4 m conventional reamed escapeways, which to date is the largest reamer ever used on an Easer machine. When the scope of works increased, it provided an opportunity to achieve additional milestones:

• 3 x 750 mm down reams – 11 in pilot followed by a 750 mm ream.
• 7 x 750 mm boxholes – ranging from 15 to 30 m. Three of the longer 30 m boxholes were pre-piloted to improve accuracy.

PYBAR’s Raise Bore Supervisor Nathan Lincoln said: “The down reams were a massive success and provided the client with an efficient alternative to drilling opening slots and ladderways in challenging ground conditions.”

“The mobility of the Easer was well received, as were the Easer crew’s general mine equipment operating skills enabling support to the mining crews during short stand down periods. Being multi-skilled also meant we were able to think outside the box and offer several solutions to tight drive locations and hole designs,” Lincoln said.