Despite some very wet conditions the management and staff at JS Redpath rallied together Friday morning to unveil their latest piece of equipment that is sure to turn the mining world on its ear.

The crew gathered at the shops on Highway 11N to reveal the ‘Queen Louise’ the world’s most powerful ‘raisedrill’ during a special media event this morning. The new drill demonstrates that in the world of mining North Bay is tops.

“At Redpath, we have a long history of delivering innovative products and services to our clients, and the Redbore 100 is just the latest example,” says Redpath President & CEO, George Flumerfelt.

“Redpath pioneered the development of the Canadian shaft sinking method that is widely used today. Since the beginning, Redpath built its reputation by being innovative and delivering exceptional value to its clients.”

“We are especially proud of the fact that the Redbore 100 was conceived and built right here in North Bay, Canada, proving that Canada can compete on the world stage in the manufacture of mining machinery.”

Flumerfelt told the crowd that the drill also demonstrates the can-do attitude of the Redpath family and named the drill after the head of one family that has continually made Redpath the world’s best company.

“Louise Young works in our Raiseboring Division and has been here some 20 years, she rules the roost up here and this is her reign and she reigns supreme,” he states.

“Her husband Ray is our senior raiser and superintendant who is going to be operating the machine and making sure it works, and we didn’t want Ray to be too far from Louise ever so hence the name the Queen Louise.”

In fact their son Curtis, who was a summer intern at the shop, christened the Queen Louise representing the longevity and future of the company.

“This drill will be competing around the world, we’ve competed in many countries but it does allow us to go after much bigger projects around the world. It really enhances the suite of products we can offer our clients,” states Flumerfelt.

He says the equipment is only one of eight in the world designed to handle major projects and can make vertical excavations in the ground that is required for every single mine in the world when building or expanding.

“It’s a big deal for us here at Redpath this is the largest and most powerful raisedrill in the world and it has the capability of excavating very large diameter holes and can deliver tremendous value to our clients.”

“Because of its size and power and actually the compactness of the unit it can be broken down and used in any mine underground and can drill both surface and underground holes and we are very, very excited about it,” adds Flumerfelt.

Flumerfelt says the Redbore 100 will be unveiled to the world during the big Mining Expo in Las Vegas later this month and is booked for its first job with Vale Inco in Sudbury in early 2009.

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