AMC’s role in Northern Chile’s Rescue Mission

A rescue mission is taking place in Northern Chile in aid of the 33 miners who have been trapped in a chamber underground since August  5. Trapped 700m below ground with minimal food, water and oxygen supply the miners were intersected by a percussion hammer that punched through into their chamber and upon which they swiftly attached a note saying all 33 miners were alive.

AMC played an integral role in the supply of drilling fluids and products in the first phase of the miner rescue mission in Northern Chile. Phase one comprised of locating and intersecting the miners through the use of exploration rigs whereby AMC Drilling Fluids and Reflex Instruments were used.

Kelvin Brown, Reflex’s Global Product Manager and an expert in digital down hole surveying equipment, worked as part of a rescue team who made first contact with the miners on August 22. Kelvin was on site when the drilling broke through to the chamber where the miners were trapped.

Kelvin Brown’s directional drilling skills were utilised for the planning stages of the drill hole’s design that lead to the successful interception with the trapped miners. He acted as a consultant during this stage and applied his wealth of knowledge providing advice on how to effectively intercept the miners.

AMC’s Superlube was used to assist the diamond drill to cut more freely in a hard formation.
Superlube is a high performance extreme pressure lubricant/cutting oil made specifically for the mineral exploration industry through extensive research and development producing exceptional  lubricating characteristics.

The second phase of the Chilean miner rescue mission is the recovery phase whereby a raise bore is being utilised for a large drilling diameter. The raise bore rig is the recovery hole for ventilation and will be used as a pilot hole first down to the target. AMC has tendered to supply the drilling fluids for this phase of the project whereby AMC’s Aus-gel is to be used in the raise bore operation. Aus-gel is a modified high quality grade sodium Bentonite formulated to ensure ease of mixing with superior mud making qualities in fresh water. Here is some further product information on the AUS-GEL and Superlube used in the Chilean miner rescue mission.

AUS-GEL

AUS-GEL is a modified high quality grade sodium Bentonite formulated to ensure ease of mixing with superior mud making qualities in fresh water. AUS-GEL is designed for use in mineral exploration, water well and directional drilling applications.

Advantages

• Yields rapidly in fresh water to give a high viscosity.

• Economical - single product preparation of a low solids drilling mud                                      

• Economical - cost effective effective.                                                                            

• Enhances fluid loss characteristics.

• Assist in bore hole stabilization.

• Helps eliminate loss circulation conditions. 

• Environmentally friendly - does not ferment and is non-toxic. 

Superlube

SUPERLUBE is truly a  unique product. It is a NEW GENERATION HIGH PERFORMANCE EXTREME PRESSURE LUBRICANT / CUTTING OIL made specifically for the mineral exploration industry. Extensive research and development has resulted in a  high performance lubricant that produces exceptional lubricating characteristics. A secondary benefit is included, a concentrated cutting oil to help improve penetration rates and prolong wear of the cutting surfaces.

Advantages                                                                                                                                                           

• Improves penetration (ROP) and depth capacity. 

• Economical and efficient. 

• Environmentally friendly, biodegradable.

• Produces a thin lubristic film on the metal surfaces.

• Eliminates rod vibration. 

• Stable in a range of water types.

• Will not contribute to core staining.

• Enhances the cooling action of the circulating fluid.

• Improves rod, bit and reamer life - compatible with existing mud systems.

The staff at AMC are in full support and very thankful for all of those active in the rescue operation.  As stated by Imdex’s Managing Director Bernie Ridgeway “Our sincere thanks goes to Kelvin Brown from Reflex in Perth and the rest of our team based in Santiago for their fantastic efforts which exceeded the normal call of duty”. AMC will provide further product updates as the Chilean rescue mission develops.

AMC forms part of Imdex Limited an ASX listed company.