Minera Escondida, a copper mine located in the Atacama Desert about 105 miles southeast of Antofagasta, Chile, has awarded Boart Longyear a contract for exploration drilling services.

The mine, which is operated by BHP Billiton and owned by BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, JECO Corp. and JECO 2 Ltd., will be employing Boart Longyear to provide a variety of drilling techniques using at least 16 rigs, including diamond coring (semi-automated hands-free), reverse circulation and rotary rigs for mine dewatering.

“Being selected by Minera Escondida to do their exploration work is an honor for the local team of drillers, helpers and support personnel to prove on a daily basis that we can deliver safe meters to one of the world’s top miners,” said Scott Whitt, general manager of drilling services in Latin America for Boart Longyear. “We are grateful that Minera Escondida has selected Boart Longyear and are excited to start drilling for them.”

The Global Drilling Services division of Boart Longyear operates in more than 40 countries and services various mining needs including copper, gold, nickel, zinc, uranium and other metals and minerals.

Boart Longyear, based in Salt Lake City, offers drilling services, equipment and performance tooling for the mining industry. The company has more than 9,000 employees worldwide, manufactures equipment in six global factories, and sells to customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.boartlongyear.com.