production In the spotlight: Drill & Blast

To familiarize everyone with the departments within RGM, we introduce a different department in each edi�on. In this edi�on, we highlight the Drill & Blast department. Mengalvio van Throo, Drill & Blast Assistant Superintendent tells us all about the purpose of his department.

What are the du�es/tasks of the Drill & Blast department?

Drilling and blas�ng is one of the first and most important steps in the mining process. Our main goal is to drill holes for sampling and blast those holes with the controlled use of explosives to break rocks for excava�on.

• The Drilling team is responsible for delivering quality drilled holes from where the samples are taken for ore and waste determina�on. Several colleagues from the Drilling team are responsible for the tools that are stored at the Drill Bitshop and need to be repaired. Repairs include, repairs to drill hammers, sharpening of drill bits, and other materials needed for drilling.

• The Blas�ng team is responsible for the safe and efficient use of explosives. The blas�ng team ensures that the drilled holes are loaded with explosives to blast those holes in such a way that they produce a good fragmenta�on result for the excavators to mine. Due to the risk of explosives, the blas�ng team is well-trained and qualified to use explosives and explosive accessories. Colleagues on the blas�ng team are authorized to fabricate explosives in the Emulsion Plant. At the Emulsion Plant, Emulsion is manufactured from raw materials on specific sequences, high temperatures and ra�os.

How many employees does the department have?

The department consists of 126 employees led by Assistant

Superintendent Mengalvio van Throo.

How long has the department been in opera�on and what division does it fall under?

The department has been in opera�on since the company was established and falls under the Mine Opera�ons division.

What are the working hours of the department?

We work both day and night shi�s from 7 to 7.

What are the highlights since the establishment of the department? The Drill and Blast department does everything itself, from drilling, explosives produc�on to blasts. Our Emulsion Plant is large and a highly technical facility that produces emulsion from 5 different raw materials at specific tempe-ratures, ra�os, mixtures, and �ming.

What is the mo�o/slogan of Drill & Blast?

Drill & Blast, you need to do it right the first �me because you only have one opportunity!