SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — 12 December 2018 — Boart Longyear is introducing its LF™160 surface coring drill rig and FL262 Freedom™ Loader into the African market. After being
launched in late 2016, this rig and loader combination is already being successfully used in North and South America, Australia, and Turkey.
The African continent got to see its first LF160 rig and FL262 Freedom Loader at an official presentation held at the company’s Robertville site in Johannesburg, South Africa on 29 November 2018. Around 60 people were in attendance at the event including drilling contractors, mine house representatives, geologists, safety officers, consultants, distributors,
and members of the press.
Ideal for contractors who want to target sophisticated surface drilling exploration contracts, the LF160 rig is CE certified according to the latest EN16228 safety standards
“It was exciting to see so many of our customers participate in this event and witness up close a demonstration of our equipment’s hands-free rod handling capabilities,” said Andre
van Heerden, General Manager Sales – Africa Region. “They were genuinely impressed with Boart Longyear’s ongoing investment and progress on innovation.”
The FL262 Freedom Loader is an innovative rod loading system that requires no intervention from the driller’s assistant to trip and align rods or connect to the top drive head. When
combined with a surface coring drill rig like Boart Longyear’s LF160, even more productivity and safety advantages are gained from the mechanized systems. The operator can monitor
the wireline spooling from a control panel, avoiding tangling of wire rope typically experienced while lowering the overshot.
BLY_LF160 with Freedom Loader
The LF160 rig and Freedom Loader combination offers more control and oversight which means less interruption and a more efficient operation. The loader’s hands-free rod handling
and remote controls allow the driller’s assistant to work outside the area of moving equipment. This greatly reduces the risk of hand and back injuries from handling rods. The
loader can cycle 6-meter rods in the same amount of time as a manual cycle, meaning enhanced safety is achieved without compromising productivity.
Ideal for contractors who want to target sophisticated surface drilling exploration contracts, the LF160 rig is CE certified according to the latest EN16228 safety standards. Contractors
can be assured of the freedom to bid on contracts that stipulate these exacting requirements. Customers attending the event commented on the rod handling technology as “a move to the
future of drilling,” and “10 steps in the right direction with regards to safety.”
This first unit arriving in Africa has already been sold to the company Remote Drilling Services and is being deployed to a mine site in Botswana.
BLY_LF160 with Loader Crew
About Boart Longyear
Established in 1890, Boart Longyear is the world’s leading provider of productivity solutions for diamond coring exploration, reverse circulation, large rotary, mine dewatering, oil sands
exploration, production and sonic drilling services. The Company also manufactures, markets, and services reliable drill rigs, drill string products, innovative down-hole
instrumentation tools, and quality parts. Boart Longyear is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in Sydney, Australia (ASX:BLY). More information about Boart Longyear can be found at www.boartlongyear.com.