https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Tsodilo completes pilot hole drilling programme at BK16

26th June 2017

By: Anine Kilian

Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Diamond explorer Tsodilo Resources has completed a pilot hole drill (PHD) programme at its BK16 kimberlite project, in the Orapa kimberlite field, in Botswana.

The purpose of the programme was to drill pilot holes on the sites that have been earmarked for the large diameter drill (LDD) programme.

The positioning of the initial 14 LDD holes is designed to provide grade estimates for the main kimberlite phases, as well as initial grade distribution across the kimberlite.

The hole diameter of the LDD holes will be 24 inches and the 14 planned holes will provide some 2 000 t of kimberlite. 

“To correlate the diamond recoveries directly to the geological model and to ensure that the intersection of the LDD holes is increased, it was necessary to probe all LDD sites with NQ size diamond core holes,” Tsodilo said in a statement on Monday.

Core recovery and depth data were recorded as per standard operating procedure. Core recovered from the pilot hole drilling is stored at the company's Letlhakane exploration camp.

The LDD contractor started operations in May. Initial work comprised collaring the 14 LDD holes immediately adjacent to the PHD holes to a depth of 22 m using 30-inch casing.

“It is expected that this programme will be completed in the second week of July, after which the contractor's LDD Elephant rig will be deployed to drill and recover the kimberlite below the Kalahari overburden using 24-inch holes.”

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Online Managing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Latest News

SKAO director-general Prof Jessica Dempsey
The SKA Observatory has a new head
2nd June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Showroom

VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd
VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd

For over 60 years, VEGA has provided industry-leading products for the measurement of level, density, weight and pressure. As the inventor of the...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Iritron
Iritron

Iritron delivers advanced automation, control, and optimisation solutions to the Mining, Minerals & Metals, Consumer Package Goods and...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.071 0.778s - 140pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now