As part of a prefeasibility study being undertaken by Newcrest Mining Limited, the Cadia East Implementation Team has developed an access decline to the proposed underground operation. This paper describes new technologies that have been employed in this development, which include: high frequency drifters that have penetration rates one and a half times that of competitors, ensuring minimal increase in drill time, despite rounds greater than 5.5 m; automated drilling used in conjunction with laser navigation and face pattern design software, which facilitates exact positioning of hole collars, lengths and lookouts for accuracy and repeatability; and emulsion charging that reduces manual handling; has variable string loading capabilities, via its hose retraction system, for perimeter control and reduced fume characteristics._x000D_
A Six Sigma improvement process was used to support the system change undertaken and demonstrated that development rates improved 60 per cent above the comparable single heading benchmark._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Willcox, P, 2008. Rapid tunnelling technologies at Cadia East, in Proceedings Tenth Underground Operators' Conference 2008, pp 263-268 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).