Shaft Sinking

The Byrnecut Group has extensive experience of shaft sinking in the Asia–Pacific region. Most recently, we completed the Ernest Henry haulage shaft for Glencore at the Ernest Henry Copper Mine near Cloncurry, Queensland.

Applying our lateral development philosophy of innovation and technology to vertical development, we have developed and enhanced the methodology for constructing vertical shafts in the region.

Our guiding philosophy has been to minimise exposure to personnel by embracing developments in technology and engaging with clients and consultants to facilitate safe and efficient shaft construction.

Recent shaft sinking projects completed

Owner
Aztec Mining

Shaft
Bounty Shaft

Diameter
5.8m

Depth
860m

Sink type
Blind

Owner
Mt Isa Mines

Shaft
Enterprise M62 Internal Shaft

Diameter
5.3m

Depth
713m

Sink type
Strip and Line

Owner
Newcrest Mining

Shaft
Telfer Hoisting Shaft

Diameter
7.05m

Depth
1126m

Sink type
Strip and Line

Owner
Newcrest Mining

Shaft
Kencana K2 Shaft (Indonesia)

Diameter
5m

Depth
290m

Sink type
Blind

Owner
Glencore PLC

Shaft
Ernest Henry Hoist Shaft

Diameter
7m

Depth
940m

Sink type
Blind, Strip and Line

Electrical Functional Safety

Byrnecut Australia implemented AS61508: Functional Safety of electrical / electronic / programmable electronic safety-related systems for our shaft sinking winders at the Ernest Henry Mine. This standard uses a safety integrity level (SIL) to assess and manage the consequences of failure of electrical equipment. In particular the winder safety circuits are assessed using a quantitative measure of the overall failure rate of the safety system and the mean time between failure of individual components within the system to allocate a required SIL ranking. This is an internationally recognised standard and ensures the safety levels attained by the hoisting systems are of the highest order. This approach is included in current designs and proposals.

Transportable Shaft Sinking System

Byrnecut is in the process of developing a transportable shaft sinking system which will be compliant with all current and draft regulations, including AS61508. It will have the capability to excavate and line shafts from 4m to 7m finished diameter and up to 390m deep.