The works are part of Roy Hill’s dewatering drilling programs, which include the drilling and installation of production and monitoring bores at the project’s seven integrated inland mining operations.

Operations are due to start in June and will help Easternwell boost its rig utilisation rate in a market currently affected by a drill rigs oversupply as a result of reduced demand from the downturn.

“We are pleased to have a contract with Roy Hill Iron Ore which will provide us with the opportunity to build on the excellent work we have completed to date in the Pilbara, allow us to invest further in our equipment and to continue the development our people,” Easternwell general manager Sheldon Burt said.

The contract win is a welcome addition to a larger, $16 million contract won last month to provide surface drilling services for the Backfill Department at Olympic Dam.