Sandvik drill rig helps with Nepal hydro power projects

Himal Hydro, the leading Nepalese construction company, has been providing specialist services to public and private sector clients in the fields of hydropower, tunneling, water / waste water and general construction since 1978. In order to further improve its operations the Himal Hydro has recently acquired a Sandvik Commando DC125R surface drill rig.

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Hydropower development is seen as a key to the economic growth of Nepal. At present, Nepalese hydro projects are costlier than similar projects in China or India, with a major reason for this being the dependency on foreign construction companies. This led directly to the formation of Himal Hydro in 1978, with an aim to service the requirements of public and private sector companies involved in furthering Nepal's hydropower capacity. Jointly owned by the Government of Nepal, United Mission to Nepal and Nepal Jalabidyut Prabardhan Tatha Bikas Ltd. (NJPB), the company has successfully undertaken a variety of projects across Nepal since its foundation.

Projects

Although Himal Hydro's core business area is construction, it has emerged as a major strategic developer of hydropower projects in Nepal. As hydropower projects involve construction of various complex structures in a well co-coordinated manner, the company is able to provide complete solutions for the various construction requirements of the hydropower projects. It does this by placing emphasis on utilizing the right technology to achieve timely completion with excellent overall quality.

Himal Hydro has in recent years successfully completed construction of a number of hydropower projects ranging from micro to mega projects. One such project is the 60 MW Khimti Hydropower Project which is one of the few hydropower projects worldwide to be completed ahead of time. Recently the company has been involved in the construction of the Mai Hydropower Project (22 MW) in Ilam District, the Bhairabkunda small Hydroelectric Project (3.0 MW) in Sindhupalchowk District, and upgrading the AndhiKhola Hydropower Project (5.1 to 9.4 MW) in Syangja District.

Drilling support

Any tunneling project is always a race against time and cost with the need to get the essentials of the project right from the start. This requires a deep rooted knowledge and years of experience in underground construction, but also a proper range of equipment that work, whenever and wherever needed. Hence the decision of Himal Hydro to acquire a Sandvik surface drill to support its operations was not just about choosing the correct piece of equipment, but also the expertise that goes with it.

In order to bring out the best in rock drilling it is necessary to use surface top hammer drill rigs which truly push the limits of what is possible. Using the latest in rock drilling technology, Sandvik Construction's drilling machinery is able to provide leading penetration rates with low operation costs. The range of surface top hammer drill rigs is renowned for their exceptional reliability even in the toughest conditions – a vital concern in Nepal. With their excellent fuel economy and low operating costs, these diesel-powered, self-propelled drill rigs are designed not only to save money with every operation, but are fully equipped to provide operators with the highest levels of comfort and safety.

Ideal for Nepal

These features meant that when it came to Himal Hydro requiring a surface drill rig, the Commando DC125R was seen as ideal for the company's surface drilling requirements. The Commando DC125R is a hydraulic, self-propelled drilling machine on a 4-wheel drive carrier. It has proved to be perfect for maneuvering in tight places and tough conditions in the mountains of Nepal. Additionally it has proved to be well suited for foundation drilling, road cutting, trenching, demolition works and other related activities involved in Himal Hydro's projects.

Himal Hydro aims to service the needs of its clients, and vitally Nepal, in every aspect of hydropower construction in terms of time, cost and overall quality. The use of the DC125R has undoubtedly added to the levels of service the company is able to offer, and helped ensure that its projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest possible quality levels.