Brandrill technology helps free Tasmanian miners

Technology from Henderson-based drill and blast company Brandrill, through its subsidiary RockTek Ltd, has played a key role in the successful release of the two miners trapped underground in Beaconsfield, Tasmania.

RocKracker cartridges were used in the delicate last stages of the break-through, where its low vibration technique with the ability to fracture rock in confined areas was of great importance.

RocKracker cartridges are a high tech, low impact product utilising Penetrating Cone Fracture (PCF) technology developed in Australia by RockTek.

RocKracker is currently used on mining and civil construction projects around the world.

The cartridges contain a smokeless powder propellant that, when ignited by an electric match, produces gas that fractures the rock.

They produce minimal vibration, and so are used successfully in dam remedial projects, such as the Snowy Mountain River Scheme, and also on inner city metro subway stations in Singapore and Portugal.

The PCF technology used in RocKracker cartridges is accepted worldwide as a viable alternative to the use of high explosives.

THE FULL PRESS RELEASE APPEARS BELOW.

HI-TECH LOW IMPACT ROCKRACKER. CARTRIDGES ASSIST IN THE
BEACONSFIELD UNDERGROUND MINE RESCUE

The effective use of RocKracker. cartridges was used as part of the array of
methods involved in the safe release of the two trapped Beaconsfield miners.
RocKracker. cartridges were used in the delicate last stages of the break through
where no other methods worked. The RocKracker. low vibration characteristics
were of great importance. The safe release of the two miners is a source of pride
for all those involved in the rescue.

RocKracker. cartridges are a high tech, low impact product utilising PCF.
(Penetrating Cone Fracture) technology that has been developed in Australia by
RockTek Limited. RockTek is a division of the major Australian drill and blast
company, Brandrill Limited.

RocKracker. is used to fracture rock and concrete in confined areas or
environmentally sensitive locations. RocKracker. is currently used on mining and
civil construction projects around the world.

RocKracker. cartridges contain a smokeless powder propellant that, when ignited
by an electric match, produces gas that fractures the rock. RocKracker. cartridges
produce minimal vibration hence the successful use of the cartridges in projects
such as dam remedial works in the Snowy Mountain River Scheme and projects
overseas including inner city metro subway stations in Singapore and O'Porto,
Portugal. RocKracker. can be readily transported and stored as it is not a high
explosive.

The PCF. technology used in RocKracker. cartridges is accepted worldwide as a
viable alternative to the use of high explosives. The unique characteristics of the
RocKracker. product make it the product of first choice in any confined blasting
situation or civil construction / demolition site in environmentally sensitive areas or
close proximity to existing infrastructure.