Mike Belderrain
Mike has 30 years of experience and a strong track record for performance and safety. He has a proven ability in team leadership and ability to take charge of a project and to identify and resolve problems. Mike has extensive shaft sinking, conventional drill and blast and roadheader experience. Mike has completed over 30 Underground Tunnel/Shaft projects to date. He has received extensive training in Mine Rescue, Fall Protection, Rigging and CPR and is also a certified underground metal/nonmetal Foreman, certified underground metal/nonmetal Examiner, certified OSHA gas tester and certified OSHA safety representative. Mike possesses the ability to efficiently operate the following equipment: Jack-leg drill, jumbo drills, bolters, roadheader of all sizes, LHD’s, shotcrete gear, all shaft sinking equipment, excavators, and all miscellaneous underground equipment.
Mike's Featured Projects
NGM Meikle-REN UDS | Carlin, NV
General Superintendent
The overall purpose of this contract is to rehab an existing Ren exploration drift near the Meikle Shaft via additional fully encapsulated bolts throughout for longevity of the drift. Additionally, to fully support further exploration and eventual mining activities there is a need to drive a parallel drift (7,000’ of lateral mine development at 20’ x 21’) for the eventual ore exploration/production and ventilation circuit. In the short term this parallel drift will also allow for a primary airflow loop through the area (currently on an exhausting hardline system) that will allow for an increase in airflow and help manage the extreme geothermally influenced heat hazards in the area, as well as provide a secondary means of egress from the area to support future mining.
Milestone Reservoir & Pump Station | Ashburn, VA
General Superintendent
This project consists of the drill/blast excavation of a new 30' diameter and 275' deep vertical shaft and three new tunnels totaling 2,400 LF in length. Drill Tech utilized various initial and final support systems for both the shaft and tunnels, including shotcrete, resin rock bolts, and reinforced concrete. This project also includes construction of a new vertical shaft using raise bore methods and installing a 42" and 36" diameter steel water pipe in the shaft and tunnels.
Stillwater East Boulder Mine | Big Timber, MT
General Superintendent
This project includes a variety of work performed in Stillwater Mine, one of the largest underground operations in North America. Drill Tech's scope included simultaneous development tunnels, production mining, and Alimak raises miles apart underground that required coordination of equipment and manpower across multiple sites. Drill Tech performed 6,500' of drift development mining, 3,800' of Alimak raises, 7,000' of narrow vein production mining, and 16,500' of rail removal and installation. The tunnels ranged from 6' to 20' diameter and were mined by drill/blast excavation with temporary ground support consisting of split sets, WWF, resin bolts, cable bolts, shotcrete, and timber and steel supports.
Range Front Declines | Crecent Valley, NV
General Superintendent
Drill Tech performed 18,000 LF of SEM excavation in the active Cortez Hills gold mine, utilizing roadheader and drill/blast methods. Excavation support consisted of shotcrete and rockbolts, with lattice girders at the decline portals. Drill Tech constructed final CIP concrete structures within the tunnels and caverns for subsequent mining operations, including fuel-bays, wash bays, explosive magazines, ore bins, and electrical distribution centers. These structures will service as permanent mine infrastructure for long-term use and are critical to underground equipment use and maintenance.
West Warm Springs | Thermopolis, WY
Superintendent
New Era Petroleum’s West Warm Springs project consisted of a 17' diameter 990' deep shaft, shaft station, underground tunnels and drill stations for the purposes of extracting oil. Drill Tech was contracted to design and construct the shaft and shaft station, the headframe and hoist foundations, as well as starter tunnels. Shaft excavation was carried out using conventional drill/blast SEM sinking techniques staged from a five-level sinking platform that housed a drill jumbo and a Cryderman mucker. The concrete liner was installed in 20' lifts from the work deck during sinking, using concrete from a Drill Tech onsite batch plant. The starter tunnels were completed using SEM techniques with jack leg drills and a mini excavator and were supported with rock bolts and shotcrete.
Mayo Clinic | Phoenix, AZ
Project Superintendent
This project was part of the Mayo Clinic's plan for West tower expansion in Phoenix, Arizona. Drill Tech was contracted to build the new tunnel from the proposed excavation under the Mayo Clinic, adjacent to the existing utility room. Tight site conditions and proximity to the hospital’s active operations required a minimal job-site footprint. SEM roadheader excavation was utilized to construct the 13' diameter 193' long tunnel. Ground support consisted of lattice girder and shotcrete. Lastly, Drill Tech installed tunnel water proofing and a shotcrete final liner.
Potomac Intake Tunnel and Shaft | Leesburg, VA
Project Superintendent
This project includes excavation and temporary excavation support of a 30' diameter, 106' deep shaft, a 30' diameter, 10' long transition tunnel, and a 20' diameter, 240' long main tunnel for the Loudoun County Raw Water Intake. A temporary cofferdam was constructed at the Potomac riverbank to allow for tunnel portal excavation to be implemented. Multiple innovative blasting techniques were used to reduce the air pressure and vibration. In addition to this work performed, Drill Tech designed the shaft and tunnel ground support. Excavation support consisted of 2" thick shotcrete and rock bolting in the shaft and tunnel with permanent structural steel sets near the river intake portal.
Goose Creek Tunnel | Leesburg, VA
Project Superintendent
This project included excavating two shafts up to 80' deep on either side of the river and then excavating an 8' x 8' tunnel, 450' long under the river. A 12" sewer line and a 42" D.I.P freshwater pipeline were then installed in the tunnel and the annular space was filled with cellular grout. Drill Tech designed the shaft and tunnel ground support in addition to performing the work. Excavation was performed by drill/blast in 50,000 psi diabase rock, with support consisting of rock bolts and shotcrete except in the overburden at the West Shaft, which was supported with secant piles.
