Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/1239546
A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 2 0 www.resourceworld.com 57 try has been slow in taking steps towards becoming environmentally responsible. The Drillco system provides a 30% sav- ings in electrical power when using the drill underground and a 30% savings in diesel consumption when using the drill on surface or fly-in configuration. This can reduce fuel costs significantly, especially when fuel needs to be flown into remote locations. Although every drill still needs water to cool the drill bit down-hole, because the Drillco system is air cooled, it greatly reduces water consumption. As well, the drill uses a small, 90-litre oil reservoir versus 400 litres commonly used in most conventional systems for a reduc - tion of 75% hydraulic oil. The system uses 75% less hydraulic hoses and connections compared to Drillco competitors. In the power pack system alone, only 18 hoses are used, and all hoses usually connected from the powerpack to the control panel have been eliminated. This greatly reduces the potential of leaks and spills. Every year or two, the hoses on a drill get changed out; there is much less hose that goes to the land fill. Often, when you buy new equipment with clean-tech and advanced technology, you pay a premium for it. Jones said this is not the case with Drillco as their drills save mines money and provide higher margins for drilling contractors. The drill has a low cost of acquisition, lower daily operating cost and lower maintenance cost. The low number of parts coupled with high quality components make these drills easy to use and cheaper to operate and maintain. Training costs are also reduced because the system uses the same control panel and hydraulics in all applications. Once a driller is familiar with the system it does not matter what application the drill is being used for, it's all the same. Jones explained, "When we sell our drill rigs to drilling contractors and mines, we have a technician that travels with the drill to provide all of the training to the owners, the drillers and mechanics …We do start-up and commissioning. We pro - vide all the necessary training to ensure the drill will be used to its maximum performance." During a time of market contraction, (2012–2018) Drillco took the time to develop the modular drill. Jones said, "We are starting to garner strong market accep - tance because people who are using the drills are having fantastic success and their clients are requesting to have this equip- ment on their work sites." ITL Diamond Drilling based in Smithers, BC, exclusively uses Drillco clean-tech drills in their fleet. "These drills have exceeded our expectations at every turn: reduced fuel consumption, significant power and depth capabilities, data logging capabilities and a hydraulic turntable allowing us to drill mul - tiple holes from a single set up. The Drillco rigs are an exceptional piece of equipment," said Stephanie McGuiness, Vice President, ITL Drilling. ITL Drilling recently used Drillco drills to perform work on Garibaldi Resources [GGI–TSXV], Nickel Mountain Project, Eskay Camp, located in BC's Golden Triangle. "ITL's professional team of drill - ers, helpers and foremen, along with their state-of-the-art drills were instrumental in completing our most successful drill campaign to date in some of the most challenging terrain possible. They are a dedicated and skilled team devoted to continually upping the bar in the drilling industry." Jeremy Hanson, VP Exploration, Garibaldi Resources Corp. Drillco officially launched their game changing drill at PDAC 2020. "It was fan - tastic," Jones said. "With the aid of FedNor, we were able to bring the entire clean tech modular drill system. We had the best real estate in the Northern Ontario Mining showcase to exhibit to contractors, miners and everyone in the industry. It resulted in immediate sales." n Drillco's multi-purpose truck mounted drill that is capable of drilling both diamond core and reverse circulation.