Mining contractor Swick Mining Services has won a drilling contract at US-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold’s Grasberg mine in Indonesia.
Swick said its underground diamond drilling division had been awarded a one-year, two-rig deal to provide grade control drilling at the gold and copper development, as the mine transitions from an open pit to an underground operation.
Freeport will also use the contract with Swick to test its mobile diamond drilling technology at the complex.
“Swick understands there is significant long-term potential for the company, well beyond the initial term, as well as potential to significantly increase rig numbers over time as demand grows,” managing director Kent Swick said.
Mobilisation to site and drilling activities will occur in the first quarter of the 2014 financial year, Mr Swick said.
Commercial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
At 1:00PM, WST, Swick shares had gained 1.5 per cent, trading at 33 cents.
