Samancor – Waterkloof Mine raise bore holes – RSA, 1990
Late in 1990, the South-East and South-West 1.83-meter diameter ventilation raise bore holes intersected water at 40 liters per minute and 60 liters per minute, respectively. The water table cone of depression was of concern, because local residences were entirely dependent on groundwater for potable water.
Over a two-week period, the mine unsuccessfully attempted to ring drill and grout by conventional methods. Sovereign mobilized, and sealed the South-West raise bore with SCEM66 in two days. Using longer holes to extend through incompetent ground, the South-East raise bore was sealed in four days under adverse conditions with heavy rain and water-logged turf.
