In Aug-Sept 2022, DA Smith completed numerous 3D in situ stress measurements at Rio Tinto/BHP's joint-venture Resolution Copper Mine by overcoring with digital hollow-inclusion cells (HID) at a depth of 6,800 feet using DA Smith's LM90 core drill. The program's objective was to characterize the pre-mining stress state of the orebody and host rock in advance of future deep mining. Special control measures were implemented during to the project to control 140F groundwater under high head, including the use of a high-pressure BOP system while drilling.
In October 2022, DA Smith overcored ground support to recover installed steel bolts for an engineering study on the long-term corrosion resistance of ground support at the mine.
In November 2022, DA Smith completed exploratory core drilling ahead of additional overcoring stress measurements. Finding suitable rock mass quality deep within the orebody, 3D stress measurements were completed in January 2023 by Agapito Associates, Inc. using the Sigra IST method, with drilling and testing support from DA Smith.
The project was successfully completed in late January 2023 with hydrofracture stress measurements conducted by Solexperts Gmbh with drilling and testing support from DA Smith.