Brandon Fisher, Founder and President of Center Rock, Inc. and Gregory Hall, President and C.E.O. of Drillers Supply S.A. Take Opportunity to Recognize Chilean Rescue Team

BERLIN, Pa., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to recent inquiries about how the Chilean rescue approach "Plan B" came together, Center Rock, Inc. founder and president Brandon Fisher and Greg Hall, President and CEO of Drillers Supply SA, today recounted the swift response by many to the miners' ordeal and the technical challenges the San Jose mine collapse presented. They were two of the key contributors to the international team that successfully brought the 33 Chilean miners to safety during an intense 37 day rescue operation last October.

"We were deeply honored and appreciative of the President's recognition of Center Rock, Inc. during his State of the Union address last week and want to take this opportunity to give due credit to all involved in the Chilean Miner Rescue for their efforts," commented Brandon.

During the initial days following the San Jose mine collapse, both Center Rock, Inc. and Driller's Supply SA, based in Antofagasta, Chile, and owned by Greg Hall of Cypress, Texas, formulated ideas separately to attempt the rescue of the trapped miners.  Brandon believed that his firm's state-of-the art L.P. hammer system and rock-drilling expertise would drill true and fast.  Using his contacts and experience, Greg promoted the idea within a comprehensive package, amid great urgency. The final design of Plan B was the result of the successful integration of their two drilling strategies.  The plan was jointly fine tuned and successfully implemented by Center Rock, Inc., Drillers Supply SA, Codelco, Layne Christensen/Geotec, Schramm, Inc., and many others, and was led and overseen by Felipe Matthews, General Manager of Geo-Atacama who was appointed Manager of Drilling operations for the mine rescue.

The Center Rock team manufactured the novel hammer drill and bits used in the Plan B rescue and, in their role as a sub-contractor to Drillers Supply S.A., Brandon Fisher along with Richard Soppe, Senior Drilling Application Engineer, assisted in overseeing the drilling operation using these tools.  Drillers Supply S.A. sales manager Igor Proestakis, and General Manager and Partner Mijali Proestakis were also at the drill site for the entire operation. Greg Hall joined the team for the final 250 meters of critical drilling.  

"33 days of severe technical drilling coupled with the added pressure of drilling to save people united all involved professionally and personally," added Greg Hall.  "Working with one mind and one heart, the 'Plan B' team was able to overcome severe odds to accomplish what many have deemed to be one of the most historic rescue efforts of our time."

The Center Rock LP (Low-Profile) drill technology, forward-flush concept for the rock cuttings, and the novel stinger that followed and expanded the existing hole are unique and new. With 25 years in service to Chile, Greg Hall and his team supported this novel, new approach. We look forward to continuing our collaboration together.

About Center Rock, Inc.

Center Rock, Inc. manufactures and distributes a complete line of air drilling tools and products. and provides pre-project design as well as on-site drilling consultation.  At our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, we build stock and made-to-order products that are used by leading drilling, oil and gas, foundation and construction, roadway, and mining contractors across North America, Europe, Asia, Russia, and Australia.  For additional information, visit www.centerrock.com or call 814-267-7100.  Email: [email protected].

About Drillers Supply, SA.

Drillers Supply S.A., located in Antofagasta, Chile has been manufacturing and supplying top quality drilling products for the mineral exploration market for the last 20 years. Our complete line of Reverse Circulation drill pipe and accessories have become the industry standard in Latin America. We combine our manufactured products with our exclusive distribution of Mincon RC hammers and Thompson International tricone bits to offer our customers the complete drilling package of products and customer focused supplies. For additional information, visit www.drill-supplies.com or contact us at 011-56-55-231360 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SOURCE Center Rock, Inc.