Ann: On Track to Test-Drill 130m Thick Sulphide Target at Arya, page-19

In answer to @lootgaloot question here is the Depco RC drill rig they used to drill at The Big One, definately truck mounted, and definately not going under any helicopter I have seen.



This is the main issue I have - is really are they really going to do Arya without track access or not? Three main sorts of drill rigs and all have their pros and cons:

1. Large truck mounted rigs - 25 tonnes plus need a track to get in, quick to set up and can drill deep holes (not heli portable at all) - as per picture of the Depco rig above. Need better road access and can't deal with steep/uneven terrain.

2. Small/Med sized track mounted rigs say 5-9 tonnes - need less track prep and can work on steeper terrain (only heli portable if disassembled), time consuming to walk in over long distances and take time to set up if dissasembled and heli-ported in. Once on site can drill decent holes.


3. Small specialized heli-portable rigs, immobile, often modified underground drill rigs, small size, easy to sling in one lift but on skids, but less depth ability and generally slower m per shift production, each new hole or rig move requires a helicopter, really specialized for steep terrain like hanging off the sides of mountains in PNG.


All drill rigs need fuel, and anything diamond core drilling needs tanks and a water source for drilling. I am not an expert on heli-portable drill rigs but they are definately smaller than conventional track or truck mounted drill rigs, and are mostly diamond core rigs so don't have the extra weight of RC air compressors and RC drill rods, some of these small diamond rigs are fine for 300-500m length holes but if you are coring from surface each 12 hour shift would only give you 25-40m of core per shift at best so then its a race against time against the wet season. And thats before you get to all the other logistical issues of obtaining drilling water, getting drill rods to site, having tanks and refueling the rig and getting the core off site, all expensive with helicopters, but easier if there is vehicle access.

I'm trying to understand why they are going the helicopter route, is it because they haven't been able to bulldoze a track into Arya, (presumably due to topography or lack of machinery, no permits/clearances to put in an access track) or is it such a large distance that the helicopter saves time? Or is it because the actual planned drill sites are very steep or hilly terrain? We know other companies got drill rigs into Arya a long time ago, so just wondering how they did it, and if their old access tracks can be fixed and used?