Boart Longyear Drilling Services wins multi-site drilling contract with Phu Bia Mining in Laos

SALT LAKE CITY – July 18, 2017 — Mining companies are increasingly looking for ways to realize new cost efficiencies and achieve the safest most productive sites. One way to realize cost efficiencies is to combine drilling contracts so the mine is only managing one drilling contractor and has the opportunity to negotiate better rates for different drilling projects.

Boart Longyear currently works with PanAust Limited’s Lao-registered company, Phu Bia Mining, for grade control, horizontal drilling, surface coring, reverse circulation drilling, piezometer and water bore work at the company’s Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation. The new contract includes all drilling at both Phu Kham  and the nearby Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver Operation.

Phu Bia Mining was seeking a partner that would enable them to safely achieve the highest efficiency. Boart Longyear has the safety track record, the technical expertise, proven results and the necessary crews and rigs to deliver for Phu Bia Mining and accepted productivity metrics as part of the agreement.

Boart Longyear operates a large fleet of rigs at both sites and provides a variety of drilling techniques, including diamond coring, reverse circulation and rigs for mine dewatering both large hole diameter water bores and horizontal drainage holes.

“This drilling agreement to do the drilling work at Phu Bia Mining’s operations in Laos is a great opportunity to achieve greater cost efficiencies inaccessible with traditional contracting that typically engages multiple contractors. Boart Longyear has the infrastructure, expertise, and people, to deliver the safe metres that Phu Bia Mining is looking for.” said Boart Longyear Country Manager, Kenneth Reid. “We are excited to partner with Phu Bia Mining and build on our great working relationship.”

Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation

The Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation is located within PanAust's Phu Bia Mining Contract Area in Laos approximately 200 kilometres from the capital city, Vientiane. Phu Kham is PanAust's flagship operation and the significant cash flow generated by the Phu Kham Operation has supported PanAust’s growth while contributing to a strong balance sheet.

Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver Operation

The award-winning Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver Operation is located approximately 25 kilometres west of Phu Kham and comprises an open-pit mine feeding ore to a conventional 4 million tonnes per annum carbon in leach (CIL) and gravity recovery process plant.

About Boart Longyear

Established in 1890, Boart Longyear is the world’s leading provider of drilling services, drilling equipment and performance tooling for mining and drilling companies. It also has a substantial presence in aftermarket parts and service, energy, mine dewatering, oil sands exploration, production drilling, and down-hole instrumentation.

The Global Drilling Services division operates for a diverse mining customer base spanning a wide range of commodities, including copper, gold, nickel, zinc, uranium and other metals and minerals. The Global Products division designs, manufactures and sells drilling equipment, performance tooling, down-hole instrumentation and parts and services.

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. To get Boart Longyear news direct, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.