2.6 Shift change - Helos and Hagglunds.

In the initial set-up and decommissioning periods prior to and after the continuous 24 hour page break drill site operations the Hagglunds were used to move personnel to and from the drill site. We could improve the efficiency and reduce the stress on personnel during these short periods in the future by using helos and this should be planned for at the beginning of the season.

When the routine 24 hour operations began helos were used for most shift changes except on the few occasions when the weather conditions did not allow flying. During these times Hagglunds were used on an established road but unfortunately the road surface conditions were drifted up because of the bad weather and a trip to the drill site often took in excess of 1.5 hours, hence shift changes were late and drill site personnel quickly became further fatigued. The project should investigate procuring a snow drag that can be towed behind the Hagglunds so that a raised snow road can be constructed and maintained that is less susceptible to drifting. Normal travel of Hagglunds to the drill site during non shift changes by support staff should be sufficient to maintain the snow road once constructed by heavy plant.

An ice road for heavy plant and sledge traffic should be maintained nearby using the same flag route marking.