Brandrill to the rescue

Technology from Henderson-based drill and blast company Brandrill Ltd, through its subsidiary RockTek Ltd, has played a key role in the successful rescue of the two miners trapped 1km underground at the Beaconsfield Mine.

RocKracker cartridges were used in the delicate last stages of the break-through, where its low-vibration technique fractured rock in confined areas.

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

The cartridges are currently used on mining and civil construction projects around the world and contain a smokeless powder propellant that, when ignited by an electric match, produces gas that fractures rock.

They produce minimal vibration, and have been used successfully in dam remedial projects, such as the Snowy Mountain River Scheme, and on 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.

In March, Brandrill secured contract extensions from HWE Mining-Leighton on two of its major projects, representing gross revenues of approximately $80 million to $90 million for the company.

Brandrill secured an extension until June 2008 of the Mining Area C (BHPB Iron Ore) contract and a further extension to June 2007 of the Mount Jackson/Windarling (Portman Iron Ore) contract.

Brandrill’s recent performance is a far cry from the days when administrators, receivers and managers were appointed to the company after a consolidated loss of $27.4 million for the period ending June 2004.

In November last year, 19.9 per cent of Brandrill was acquired by international investment funds Harmony Capital Partners and Stark Investments, with each spending $5.1 million on the acquisition.