Without comprehensive geotechnical ground investigations, even the most advanced mining projects can face devastating delays, increased costs, and safety risks.
Geotechnical ground conditions are the single biggest risk to establishing a mine, its infrastructure including tailings storage facilities, large earthworks and tunnelling related projects. You must invest in geotechnical investigations sufficient to understand ground risk and develop credible mitigation plans.
There are three components to effectively ensure the value of your investment:
- Build a solid plan built around the specific project risks, budgets and capability
- Bring in people with long-term, proven expertise
- Ensure your partner is equipped with the right tools that are well-maintained and highly reliable
RDCL Specialist geotechnical testing contractors provide high quality ground investigation and in situ measurements using surface and downhole geophysics and Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT).
The company has the longest track record in the Philippines in the delivery of these tools, being involved in the establishment of many leading mines in the country since the early 2000’s. Our leading engineers acquire high quality data, passed to specialist technicians and reviewed by Lead Discipline experts.
RDCL Philippines is not yet ISO registered so cannot issue under that marque; all work undertaken by RDCL Philippines is to RDCL (NZ) standards and processes which are ISO 9001:2015 certified.
The Value of the Investment
Investing in detailed geotechnical investigations upfront not only reduces operational and safety risks but also minimizes the potential for costly delays and redesigns.
As the mining industry also faces increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals, RDCL's ability to provide precise ground data helps ensure compliance with environmental regulations, builds a knowledge base of data and helps ultimately to prove stability and surety to close the operation.
Scoping with a Bonafide Specialist
RDCL have 25 years’ experience handling complex geotechnical investigations for large scale mines and infrastructure. We hold world records for deep testing and have worked on we would say are all the leading mines in the Philippines.
Our seasoned engineers work intimately with the unique challenges posed by the Philippines' geology and operating environment. Their expertise has consistently delivered results that ensure safety and efficiency in even the most challenging conditions.
We are the most experienced and the best to have on your project.
How Does the Process Work?
You benefit by using us to oversee the technical aspects of your ground investigation program, conduct specialist tests and provide factual completion documentation. RDCL’s mission is to stay on task, manage uncertainty and execute to schedule and budget to avoid delays and overruns.
Our team works closely with yours to develop a detailed investigation plan that aligns with the project’s timeline, budget, and risk profile, ensuring all necessary tests are completed on time and within budget. We can further help you scope and specify and evaluate technical capability of contractors to produce data that accurately reflects the site conditions.
Our approach is to work in productive partnership with you and your team, and we are very adept at problem solving in real-time under difficult conditions. Specialist Tools
Specialist Tests
RDCL has an ongoing track record of specialist ground investigation techniques and making them available in the Philippines to greatly improve project outcomes.
- Downhole Televiewers
These are widely deployed in the modern scene to much better constrain data and improved drilling returns. The use of Downhole Televiewers allows us to capture high-resolution images of the subsurface, improving our ability to identify structural weaknesses that could compromise mine safety. - Surface Geophysics
Surface geophysics enables acquisition of data across large length and links intrusive testing to enable interpretation of ground models and uncover potentially unforeseen conditions. At RDCL, we utilize advanced surface geophysical methods, such as seismic refraction and electrical resistivity, to gather data that informs our geotechnical analysis. - Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT)
CPT for soft sediments and tailings is leading technology widely deployed in the rest of the world, and available through RDCL in the Philippines. CPT is fast, accurate, repeatable, and the most versatile in-situ soil test available. The data aids in many geotechnical assessments including liquefaction, bearing capacity (foundations) and settlement.
These techniques help us identify geological features such as fault lines, water tables, and rock properties that can impact the stability of mining operations, infrastructure projects, and tailings management.
For example, seismic refraction methods can reveal variations in bedrock depth or provide insights into rock strength, which are crucial for mine design and construction of safe, stable structures. Similarly, electrical resistivity surveys can detect areas of weakness or potential groundwater flow, which is essential for assessing risks to tailings dams or other earthworks.
By integrating surface geophysics with other testing methods like Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) or downhole televiewers, we create a comprehensive understanding of the ground conditions, enabling you to make better-informed decisions, mitigate risks, and improve the overall project outcome.
Make RDCL Your First Phone Call
RDCL’s combination of cutting-edge tools, unmatched experience in the Philippine market, and our collaborative approach sets us apart as the preferred partner for mining projects.
We have the people and equipment on the ground in the Philippines to execute high quality ground investigations, and our teams and tools are suited to your projects.
Together we combine our expertise with your design teams to execute any project. Contact us today to discuss how RDCL can enhance your mining project’s success with tailored, high-quality geotechnical services. Let’s set up a meeting to identify how we can support your objectives and deliver results.
