Geotechnical Drilling – Kawarau Gorge

Location
Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell, Central Otago

Client
Fulton Hogan Central

Drilling Project Brief
Project involved gaining access to the proposed drill sites via a very steep track, approx. 80 metres above the road, and a second hole above the gabian baskets adjacent to the very busy Kawarau gorge road. We used a single rig on this project, the Marooka Mounted MP300.

Both bores were core drilled in HQ Triple tube,50 plus metres with good recovery in a challenging formation. Fulton Hogan Central were well organised and great to work with on this project. They made the difficult access quite simple, and had great staff onsite to assist with our project. Traffic management carried out by FH. Project completed on time and on budget, and just before the snow.

Drilling Project Challenges

Very difficult access – egress by track vehicle only.
Very steep terrain in a rural environment.
Unstable and uneven ground conditions.

Result

Project progressed smoothly, a few minor issues, which were to be expected given the challenges.