Location:
Indianapolis, Indiana

Project:
Ventilation Shaft to an Existing Underground Development for a National Supplier of Aggregate

Situation:
While the total shaft depth was not extensive, there was a significant layer of soft and wet overburden. These conditions limited the available means and methods to develop the shaft and presented additional construction risks.

After a close evaluation of drilling competencies within the industry, the owner engaged Shaft Drillers International (SDI) based on commercial and technical confidence to complete the project.

Solution:
SDI worked closely with the mine operations group and a local slurry wall subcontractor.  The subcontractor provided excavation of the soft overburden and a temporary casing was installed to provide SDI access to the top of competent rock.  Once access was established, SDI utilized reverse circulation drilling techniques and completed the works to total depth.  SDI then installed a permanent liner from top to bottom and tremie grouted the liner in place.

Results:
SDI coordinated project management to overcome challenging ground conditions which lead to safe and successful development of the shaft.  As a result the aggregate supplier’s consulting engineering firm has engaged SDI as the contractor of choice for shaft development through its next major underground project.