by Fabian Harley, North Island Operations Manager, and
Sarah Keenan, Executive Assistant at Alton Drilling
About Alton Drilling
Alton Drilling Limited is a New Zealand-owned company with deep roots in Waihi, the country’s gold mining hub, and the base for Alton Drilling’s main office and workshop. Known for being resourceful, genuine and respectful, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering safe, efficient, and tailored drilling solutions across some of New Zealand’s toughest terrains.
Beyond technical expertise, it invests heavily in its people, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. This commitment positions Alton Drilling as a trusted partner in advancing exploration and resource development across New Zealand and beyond.
Exploration at Wharekirauponga (WKP)
Located 10 km (6.2 miles) north of Waihi in steep, dense bushland, the Wharekirauponga Exploration Area (WKP) is one of New Zealand’s most challenging exploration environments.
At WKP, Alton Drilling operates from three active drill sites, with the EG vein zone being the current near-term focus. Strict environmental consents restrict drill platforms and work areas to just 144 m² (1550 ft²). Rigs are kept busy year round, 24 hours 7 days a week. Hole depths range from 500 to 700 meters (1640–2296 ft). Many are steered using a combination of Alton-built PQ casing wedges and contracted Navi tool equipment. So far, we have successfully drilled 10 daughter holes from one mother hole, with an inclination set at -40° and a lifting up to -13°.
The WKP Exploration Area (as part of the Waihi North Project) has now been submitted for fast-track approval, a significant step in advancing this resource into its next stage of development.
Innovation in equipment and safety
With its own in-house manufacturing division, Alton Drilling designs and adapts equipment to meet the unique demands of each project. This capability is central to the company’s success at WKP.
The heli-portable SC11 drill rig, enhanced with a rod handler and synchronized chuck, enabled angled drilling and safer intercepts.
Shallow, angled holes generally require a larger diameter casing than what is compatible with the SC11 drill. Running and retrieving PW casing had always been done manually in the past, using clamps and pipe wrenches without the aid of a winch, which led to injuries.
The PW rod handler conversion kit, developed by Alton Drilling’s manufacturing division, eliminated manual handling injuries by adapting existing components for safer casing operations.
These innovations ensured efficiency and precision drilling, while upholding the highest safety standards.
Managing environmental and logistical challenges
Recent changes to regional water take requirements have driven Alton Drilling to rethink water and power systems. Historically, mechanical pump stations operated continuously, supplying the rigs and redirecting any unused water back to the water source. Continuing with this method would have exceeded the new take limits and increased downtime due to weather impeding helicopter access.
To solve this challenge, mechanical pumps were replaced with electric pump systems with optional telemetry monitoring, cutting downtime and reducing environmental impact. Additionally, the setup cost is significantly lower, with savings multiplying as more rigs are added to the project.
To address the issue of housing up to 18 employees in New Zealand’s challenging conditions, the company designed and built modular, insulated camps that have been tested and proven in some of the country’s harshest climates.
Another logistical challenge arose when attempting to gain a better understanding of the aquifer in WKP led to an increase in geotechnical drilling and a need for pump vein testing. The drill sites were limited to any clearings in the bush canopy where a small Alton-built LT140 drill could be lowered through and reassembled. The pump vein testing required our workshop team to disassemble and then reassemble a 2-ton air compressor and transport it via helicopter to an existing drill site, showcasing the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Alton Drilling’s team in the process.
Proven results
Over the past eight years, Alton Drilling has completed more than 100 exploration holes at WKP, generating the data and confidence needed for ongoing resource growth.
By combining creative problem-solving, engineering innovation, and a strong people-first culture, the company continues to cement its reputation as a leader in remote and complex drilling projects, both in New Zealand and internationally.
‘Innovation, safety, and people are the foundations of Alton Drilling’s success at WKP.’
For more information: Visit altondrilling.com.nz
