A Team Effort

When the words “professional team” are used, most people immediately think “sports,” but as those in the mining industry know, “teams” are what make up its profession too. In fact, almost everything that happens in a mine is done by a team of one kind or another and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to drilling and blasting rock.

It’s unquestionably the most dangerous aspect of mining and unless it’s handled by professionals with years of experience, it can prove to be disastrous.

At the Cochenour site, the “team” of drillers and blasters have nearly a half-century’s worth of underground experience and are all professionally certified in Basic Underground Hard Rock Mining Common Core and Specialty Modules.

In addition, they are experienced and trained in the use of Emulsion, the preferred explosive used instead of Amex in order to cut down on high levels of ammonia nitrate.

Under the leadership of Redpath’s Area Manager, Rolf Arnold, the team works well as a unit and looks out for each other’s safety all the time because, as Arnold says, “Drilling and blasting are always potentially dangerous, especially if methane gas is present. Scaling the face before prepping it is also dangerous and that’s why it’s critical that everyone keeps a close eye on the ground conditions while working the drift.”

Asked what’s the most challenging or unusual part of building a drift, Arnold said: “Passing through various dykes (bad ground) and changing bolting requirements as requested by the ground control department. Also, incorporating the shotcreting process into the cycle while maintaining the drift and all of the other services.”

As mentioned above, underground work to build the 6200-metre haulage drift between Goldcorp’s Cochenour mine to Campbell mine took real team work, and Arnold says he’s proud of his team for many reasons; but two that stand out are blasting 17 metres in a 24-hour period and laying 2204 metres of track in 17 days.

“With all the achievements we’ve accomplished here and as proud as we are of our haulage drift, it could not be done without a great team mentality. From Goldcorp, our management, to our first-line supervisors, the mechanics and the electricians, who are always ready to help whenever necessary, makes this project work very efficiently. All of the great teamwork that we have here really makes this project a joy to be a part of,” said Arnold.