OUR SERVICES
AVKO provides a range of services including:
- underground development
- shaft sinking
- mechanical and airleg mining
- machinery hire
- civil drill and blast
- alimak raise mining
- airleg and shift supervisor labour hire
AVKO approach all of its specialised areas of expertise in a professional manner with the highest regard to safety. The team at AVKO are dedicated and enthusiastic, always ready to take on any challenge and come up with unique and innovative solutions.
MINING
AVKO specialises in all aspects of underground mining, and in particular shaft and winze sinking, bulk sample excavations, rise mining, ground support, lateral development and stoping.
The main thrust of our equipment and experience is to provide one of two key services. In larger mines we offer a service catering to the more specialised parts of their business, occasional work if you will. The other service we offer is whole-of-mine contracts, which could be on contract for a larger company or a tribute for smaller companies. AVKO can manage and provide the equipment and personnel required for the mine.
AVKO PROJECTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA HAVE INCLUDED:
Maldon VIC - Alliance Resources – Union Hill Mine Site
This contract is whole-of-mine and involves 2500 metres of decline development and a bulk sample with vent rises and stock pile development.
Kambalda WA – St Ives
Airleg miners and stope miners carrying out all aspects of hand held mining.
Charters Towers, QLD – North Queensland Metals – Pajingo Mine Site
At the end of 2007, AVKO were engaged as the mining contractor at the Pajingo Mine Site after it was purchased by North Queensland Metals. AVKO’s task is to provide the expertise to develop the narrow vein mining capabilities on-site and manage all other underground mining activities including the maintenance of equipment.
ALIMAK RAISE MINING
The Alimak Raise Mining method was developed in the 1950’s in Sweden. Since then it has been used extensively around the world in underground mines to develop escape/ladderway’s, ventilation shafts or orepasses. It has also been used to develop slot raises for different stoping methods in many different types of ore.
The method consists of an Alimak Raise Climber that utilises a rack and pinion rail that also carries air and water through pipes built into the rail for drilling by hand held methods. The Alimak method can be used for raising between two levels, between one level and the surface, or simple blind raising when desired.
There is also a stoping method which uses the Alimak Raise Climber to drive a raise through the ore body and then sub-horizontal long holes anywhere from 10 to 20 metres are drilled from the specially designed/purpose built platform. These long holes are then charged and fired from the Alimak Raise Climber.
The Alimak method consists of five steps, which together make up a cycle. The five steps are all dependent on the Raise Climber, which serves both as a working platform and a means of transport up to the work site. Briefly, the five steps look like this:
DRILLING
Drilling is done from a platform on the Raise Climber. The platform is adapted to fit the size and shape of the raise required.
LOADING
Loading is also done from the platform. Dynamite and ignition caps are inserted in the bore holes using rammers.
BLASTING
Before blasting, the Raise Climber is moved down to the station for protection against falling rocks. Then the blast can be triggered from a well protected spot close by.
VENTILATION
Nitrogen gases and dust created by the blast are cleared by spraying a mixture of water and air from the top of the guide rail.
SCALING
When the air is free of dust and gases, the crew can ascend to the face to begin scaling and installation of a new guide rail section. This is also done from the platform, under the protection of the safety roof.
In late 2005, AVKO acquired the ability to develop Alimak Raises using Alimak Raise Climbers, through the acquisition of a Queensland based underground mining contractor. Since then AVKO have completed numerous Alimak Raises throughout Australia and a 305 metre long orepass in Papua New Guinea.
AVKO’s fleet of Alimak equipment consists of:
8 x STH-5L Raise Climbers
7 x 5L Ali-Cab Rescue Units
800 metres of Alimak Rail
All associated Alimak Accessories and Hardware
All of the Alimak Raise Climbers are registered with the Western Australian Mines Department as Classified Plant and we were the first company to apply and receive this registration within Australia.
We have implemented a comprehensive maintenance program and maintain our equipment log books and Alimak pre-starts across all our sites.
AVKO are able to offer experienced Alimak Raise Mining management, supervision and raise miners to ensure projects run safely, accurately, cost effectively and on time.
Although based in Kalgoorlie WA, AVKO has a presence in most states and can mobilise to any site in Australasia quickly and efficiently. We also have workshop capabilities in Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland.
AVKO can assist with all of your vertical development requirements. We can install escapeway ladders utilising the Alimak Climber, therefore making it a cheaper alternative as we do not require the use of a mobile crane which can drive up the cost of your ladderway installation.
AVKO can also offer the installation of services in any completed raise such as rising mains, power cables or any other type of services required.
Whatever the length or size raise you require AVKO can assist you with your project from start to finish. Alimak Raising is a cost effective alternative to raise boring and gives mine sites the advantage of ground supporting the excavation either in cycle or after the raise has been completed.
EXAMPLES OF ALIMAK PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY AVKO ARE:
Papua New Guinea – Highlands Pacific – Kainantu Mine Site
AVKO was contracted to excavate a 2.4m x 2.4m x 305m long orepass, which was an integral link in HKL’s mine production plans, and mine management were very pleased with AVKO’s ability to develop the orepass without any accidents or incidents.
This project is one of the longest Alimak Raises ever developed in Australasia!
Kalgoorlie WA – Perilya Mines – Daisy Milano Mine Site
AVKO was contracted to excavate a 3m x 3m x 60m long escapeway/vent raise. The raise was ground supported while excavating and an escape ladder installed after completion. Site management were very pleased with the project being achieved without any accidents or incidents.
Charters Towers QLD – CitiGold Corporation – Warrior Mine Site
AVKO was contracted to excavate a 2.4m diameter x 110m long escape/vent raise. The raise was fully meshed and ground supported after break through to the surface. The project also consisted of leaving the Alimak rails and a 5L Ali-Cab rescue unit as a second means of egress. We then developed a training and maintenance program for Warrior Mine employees.
Site management commended AVKO on our safe work ethic as we completed this project without any accidents or incidents.
AVKO has since returned to Warrior to excavate the next leg of their ventilation system.
Leinster WA – Sir Samuel Mines – Cosmos Mine Site
AVKO recently completed a contract to mine out the Alec Mairs 1 orebody utilising the Alimak Vertical Retreat Method to stope out over 20,000t of high grade nickel ore.
We firstly excavated a 2m x 3m x 130m long raise through the orebody. This raise was developed and ground supported on the way up using 1.5m gewi bars and 2.4m straps along the entire length of the raise.
The raise was fully meshed top to bottom before removing the raising platform and installing a special purpose built platform for long hole drilling. The long hole drilling is done from the upper platform, then charging of the long holes and Alimak rail removal is done from the lower platform.
CIVIL
In 2006 AVKO management identified a potential growth opportunity in civil drill and blast and tunnelling applications. AVKO has since developed skills and experience in drill and blast in sensitive areas both at surface level and underground. Utilising the latest technology and systems developed for quarrying and mining we have been able to establish a service based on the highest quality delivery of excavations in sensitive locations, whether they are large or small, shaft or tunnel.
AVKO offers a complete service including excavation, ground support and basic fit out.
CIVIL PROJECTS THAT AVKO HAVE RECENTLY UNDERTAKEN INCLUDE:
Brisbane, QLD – LBBJV – North South Bypass Tunnel
AVKO is onto its third works contract on the Brisbane North South Bypass Tunnel assisting with shaft installation, ground support and tunnelling beneath the city.
Due to the sensitive areas involved in these projects, AVKO have purchased an Atlas Copco ROC D9C Smart Rig with the significant feature of a “silenced drill”. The drill enables us to work within developed urban areas where noise is an important consideration.
Toowoomba, QLD - Queensland Main Roads
AVKO have undertaken works involving 625 metres of tunnel development in the ranges at Toowoomba for geotechnical purposes to gauge ground conditions, test support methods and allow geologists to view the different rock units. This is to make way for 2 large 15 metre tunnels to be put through the ranges to divert traffic from the city and the range.
HIRE
AVKO has a large fleet of equipment including shaft infrastructure, mechanised underground and surface equipment which can be made available for hire, with or without operators, when it is underutilised in our own operations.
The latest addition to our fleet of equipment is the Atlas Copco ROC D9C Smart Rig which was purchased in November last year. AVKO were the first company to purchase the rig in Australia and have been using it within Brisbane on civil projects that require the “silenced drill” feature.