DDH1 Limited operates Australia’s largest surface fleet of modern, state-of-the-art drilling rigs with best-in-class safety standards supported by a professional and well-trained workforce.
Through our four specialised brands – DDH1 Drilling, Strike Drilling, Ranger Drilling & Swick Mining Services – DDH1 Limited provides specialised diamond, air core and reverse circulation drilling services. Each of DDH1 Limited’s brands have a distinct service offering, equipment and drilling methods.
Diamond core drilling is the primary method for complex, deeper mining and exploration, or where structural information advantages from intact core samples are required.
Diamond core drill bits are hollow and impregnated with industrial-grade diamond crown in order to cut a cylindrical core through solid rock. As the drill bit penetrates the rock, a core is extracted in a solid cylinder and is winched to the surface through the centre of the drill rod in complete sections. It is this rock sample that can be analysed for mineral content, while also showing the structures of the cored interval.
Diamond core drilling is used at all stages of mine life, and is predominantly the drilling method for underground exploration and ore grade identification.
DDH1 Limited are specialists in all diamond core drilling, including directional drilling that allows for controlled deviations in the direction, angle and path of drilling activity. Directional drilling helps to overcome environmental challenges such as reaching a target located under an impassable geological feature which would otherwise be inaccessible with vertical surface drilling methods.
In addition to directional drilling, DDH1 Limited also has the technical ability and fleet capability to conduct multiple intersectional directional drilling which typically involves the drilling of a main “parent” hole (up to 2,000 metres in depth) followed by multiple “branch” holes which come off the “parent” hole (to depths of up to 3,000 metres). This increases the accuracy of the geological information gathered to facilitate development or expansion of mine production. Drilling several branch holes from a main hole also significantly reduces the length of a drilling program, leading to savings in both time and costs.
Serviced by:
Rig Fleet
Reverse circulation drilling is a more economical drilling method used for the gathering of preliminary geological data through assaying chips prior to the investment in diamond drilling programs.
Reverse circulation drilling uses drill rods with inner tubes inside to allow the sample/cuttings to return to surface through the inner tube. The sample is produced by driving a pneumatically operated drill hammer and drill bit attached to drill rods through the rocks. The chip samples then travel from the bottom of the hole through the inner tubes and out through a sampling system where they are collected for analysis.
Reverse circulation is a faster method than diamond coring, and drilling is used primarily for exploration and grade control. Reverse circulation can penetrate hard rock at depths of up to 500 metres.
DDH1 Limited offers specialist reverse circulation capabilities across the commodity spectrum, as well as our multipurpose, specialist rigs capable depths up to 500 metres. We partner with our clients to produce the best possible outcomes, and fastest possible results. Within the DDH1Limited brand we have the capacity to offer a pathway to diamond core drilling.
Serviced by:
Rig Fleet
Air core is the superior first-pass drilling technique, as sample contamination is minimised through the dual tube system.
Air core drilling uses both a compressor and blade-type bits to bore through the ground while raising the soil sample to the surface at the same time. Air core drilling utilises high-pressure air and dual-walled rods to penetrate the ground and return the sample to the surface through the inner tube and then through a sampling system.
DDH1 Limted provides reduced foot print, cost-effective first pass drilling programs with our nimble air core drilling machines that are perfectly tailored for remote drilling locations, and will provide remote accommodation facilities and logistical support.
Our quality control processes ensure that samples attained are to the best standard. Our air core rigs have rod handling equipment designed for efficient operations, which minimises the manual input in the works to further ensure that our personnel are safeguarded against injury.
We deploy skilled and experienced crews, supported by supervisors and maintenance personnel, to ensure breakdowns or technical assistance are quickly managed.
Serviced by:
Rig Fleet
Drilling at depth often requires a sophisticated, bespoke solution to problems. Our unique expertise in highly complex deep-hole drilling allows us to perform specialised work that is extremely difficult to replicate. DDH1 Limited is at the forefront of engineered drilling for complex new projects where highly accurate directional drilling to hit specific points are required.
Often this work is needed when drilling into an existing mine site operation – whether to run high-voltage cables from surface to deep underground, or to pump ground water from underground works.
Most of DDH1 Limited’s projects start with directional drilled pilot holes that are steered to the target through advanced gyro down-hole surveying and oilfield directional drilling equipment. Once the pilot is drilled, the hole is enlarged to accept a designed casing.
This highly technical work requires significant expertise to make sure that work is carried out safely, and that the pilot holes are not lost.
DDH1 Limited currently holds the record for the deepest single pass cable drop hole in the southern hemisphere at 1,446m, 12.25 inches wide, cased with a 9-inch diameter 100-ton oilfield casing string and grouted back to surface with 60 cubic metres of grout. This has allowed our client to power deeper extensions of the mine.
Serviced by:
Rig Fleet
Diamond core drilling is the primary method for underground drilling for production, exploration or where structural information from intact core samples are required.
Diamond core drill bits are hollow and impregnated with industrial-grade diamond crown in order to cut a cylindrical core through solid rock. As the drill bit penetrates the rock, a core is extracted in a solid cylinder through the centre of the drill rod in complete sections. It is this rock sample that can be analysed for mineral content, while also showing the structures of the cored interval.
Diamond core drilling is used at all stages of mine life, and is predominantly the drilling method for underground exploration and ore grade identification.
DDH1 Limited are specialists in all underground diamond core drilling, including directional drilling that allows for controlled deviations in the direction, angle and path of drilling activity. Directional drilling helps to overcome environmental challenges such as reaching a target located under an impassable geological feature which would otherwise be inaccessible with vertical surface drilling methods.
Serviced by:
Rig Fleet
