RWBE Geotechnical Drilling



We offer specialist core and exploration drilling services in South Africa and neighbouring countries.


What we focus on

About Us

Core Drilling is Our Business

RWBE Geotechnical Drilling specialises in diamond core and exploration drilling. RW Business Enterprises, now trading as RWBE Geotechnical Drilling, was formed 20 years ago by Jan and Richard Weppelmann.

Today our business employs experts in their respective fields, offering you quality service beyond expectations, no matter where the work is done.

We are a Level 3 contributor to government's Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment initiative with 51% black ownership and shareholding.

Recent projects


View our completed projects...
  
Videos showcasing our work...

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Core Drilling Operations


RWBE Geotechnical Drilling provides a wide range of drilling services such as core and exploration drilling to clients around South Africa and the rest of the continent. We deliver the best equipment and crew to the worksite to get the job done in the quickest possible time.


Whether downtown or on rough terrain, RWBE Geotechnical Drilling has the equipment and experience to complete the project to the highest standard.

Environmental responsibility

RWBE Geotechnical Drilling aspires to act responsibly in minimising the impact of its activities on the environment, both on site and within the offices. We consider ourselves a green company and normal business...


Taking our responsibility further...

activities are adapted and developed to strive to follow greener agendas.


As part of our endeavour to sustain an environmentally friendly ethic by minimising our carbon footprint, we have installed complete solar power generation and solar heating capabilities in our offices, staff accommodation, and workshops.


Rehabilitation of the environment

We actively promote our environmental policy throughout the company, and ensure all employees receive inhouse training appropriate to their role and responsibilities.


Rehabilitation of the environment

Before we leave a site, we ensure that it is left in a condition that will allow nature to quickly re-establish itself. We replant natural vegetation that was removed.


Rehabilitation of the environment

RWBE Geotechnical Drilling recognises the benefits of responsible environmental practices. We recognise the impact on communities in the areas we work in and aim to manage activities to minimise the effects on the environment and community with regards to noise, odours, dust, and litter.


Rehabilitation of the environment


Health, safety, and supervision

RWBE Geotechnical Drilling does not consider health and safety a priority, because priorities change. In our company safety is a non-negotiable standard that is a condition of employment.


How we comply with regulations...


The management at RWBE Geotechnical Drilling understand that we do not only have a statuary requirement to provide a safe work environment; we also know that it is simply good business.


Health and safety

RWBE Geotechnical Drilling complies with health and safety acts and other relevant legislation, meeting the standards required to protect all of our employees and any person likely to be affected. We identify associated hazards and control risks that may arise.


We ensure the safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of materials, equipment, and substances.


Supervision and training is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our employees, which include up to date SHE training, first aid, and regular toolbox talks.


We provide any and all necessary personal protective clothing and equipment required as the results of a risk and occupational health and safety assessment. We have an impeccable health and safety record, with no incidents to date! At the end of the day, we all go home safely, because safety matters.


Supervision

We ensure fulltime owner/manager supervision 24/7 on site. The drill operators are under constant supervision. Accurate and trustworthy core recoveries are monitored continuously and thus guaranteed. If any further information is required please feel free to contact myself or Elias Moloi on 071 328 0670 or Christo Bekker on 072 269 1503.


Equipment

RWBE Geotechnical Drilling offers the benefits of consolidation, not only in terms of providing streamlined support functions, but also that of on-site management. With our large and diversified equipment fleet, we can...


The equipment we use...


offer tremendous flexibility and efficiency in mobilising all necessary vehicles for our projects.


Equipment used

We have eight drill rigs available, in good condition. Some of these rigs are capable of drilling up to a maximum of 1000 meters N-size.


Equipment used

The smaller rigs are ideal for strip and carry as needed in very difficult setups.


Equipment used

A total of three 4x4 vehicles (Land Cruisers) are available for extremely difficult working conditions on terrain and a 4x4 tractor/TLB for setting up purposes and rehabilitation of all drilling practices. To carry out all logistical support, we have two heavy duty Toyota Hino trucks.


Equipment used


Performance

In soft category material we are capable of producing extremely good core recovery and can produce photographs to this effect. On all previous projects we have completed the project well within the contract time.


Performance continued...

All daily drilling journals can be made electronically available within 24 hours after completion of the borehole and can be emailed from anywhere in South Africa.


A comprehensive report can be made available within two weeks after completion of the project including the following: Summary of each hole, journals, bill of quantities, BH position photographs, and core photographs.


Digital images of any geotechnical incident/phenomenon/materials can be made immediately available to customers wherever they are.


RWBE is rigged to drill normal conventional and wireline rotary core drilling. With the sophisticated deep borehole water pressure test equipment (IPI SWIPS), RWBE can perform lugeon testing in the deep wireline boreholes, single or double packers. This is just one of two such systems currently available in South Africa.


We are available anytime anywhere in the world with our Inmarsat satellite voice and data communications systems.


The Drilling Team


Our team consists of dedicated and expertly trained members. Our staff compliment further exists of five permanent drill supervisors. On standby we have 22 part time workers of which three are drillers. Furthermore, it is our policy to employ previously disadvantaged members from the local community to provide employment.

Richard Weppelmann
Co-owner and project manager

Richard Weppelmann

Richard Weppelmann obtained an Electronic Engineering degree from Pretoria University in 1987. In the 17 subsequent years he worked for Telkom SA (Pty) Ltd where he was extensively involved in Project Engineering and was instrumental in bringing ISDN and ADSL to South Africa.


Engineering skills...


Richard is registered as a professional engineer at the Engineering Council of South Africa (1992 to 2004). In 2002 he started a geotechnical drilling company (RW Business Enterprises CC t/a RWBE Drilling).


In the past 12 years he has successfully completed many geotechnical projects for a wide range of clients and consultants. These projects range from new bridges, tunnels, new building structures, power stations, power pumped storage schemes, new roads, dam rehabilitation, new dams, existing road and bridge rehabilitations, many quarries, sewer works, border posts, cuttings, and more.


Some of the major clients include Eskom, Kwa-Zulu Roads, National Roads Department SANRAL, Partridge Maud & Associates, OFS Roads, Limpopo & Mpumalanga Roads, BKS, Zambia Copperbelt Energy Corporation, and Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC).


Christo Bekker
Co-owner and site manager

Christo Bekker

Christo Bekker joined RWBE Geotechnical Drilling in October 2007. His main functions are site and logistical management. Christo was previously employed at N1 4x4 repair/build workshop as workshop manager for nine years. His experience in vehicle and engine repair/maintenance is unmatched.


Project management skills...


An experienced project manager, in 2002 he started a geotechnical drilling company (RW Business Enterprises CC t/a RWBE Drilling).


Christo was involved in the day-to-day running and supervision of all the projects below under the supervision of Richard and Jan Weppelmann. Mr Bekker has gained considerable geotechnical drilling/supervision experience during the last seven years with the company.

The following is a condensed list of the projects he was involved with:


  • Eskom project Bravo power station
  • Eskom project LIMA, pumped storage scheme
  • Water Affairs, Elandsdrift Dam
  • Ulundi Empangeni New Road
  • Ludeka Dam, Umgeni Waters

Some of the projects Mr Bekker supervised/managed on his own were:


  • SANRAL, Pietersburg, Quarries for KBK Engineers
  • SANRAL, Hartbeespoort Dam Cutting, Africon
  • Limpopo Roads Department, Makahado
  • Hydro Electricity Project, Northern Zambia, Copperbelt Energy Corporation
  • Volkswagen South Africa Drilling, BKS
  • Pride Milling Drilling, Knight Hall & Hendry
  • Ncwabeni Dam, BKS
  • ZALU Dam, BKS

Elias Moloi
Co-owner, logistical manager

Elias Moloi

Elias joined the company in May 2006 as a drill supervisor. He has managed to grow in the company and has mastered all required operations in the drilling fraternity. Currently Elias is tasked with managing drill sites on his own and he is slowly being involved in the day to day running of the company.

Jan Weppelmann
Geotechnical drilling consultant

Jan Weppelmann

Jan started as a soil laboratory assistant at VKE in 1959. He was then employed as field staff sourcing road construction materials, drilling for culverts, bridges, etc and supervising construction, eventually specialising in foundation drilling under the auspices of VKE as Geodata.


Experience in geotechnical drilling...


Jan has been on the geotechnical drilling scene for more than 50 years and the expert experience available to our company is the best on offer in South Africa. He was instrumental in starting up four companies:


  • Strata Data Pty (Ltd) (1975 – 1995)
  • Weppelmann Geotechnical Drilling cc and in his advisory capacity
  • Weppelmann Geotechnical Services Pty (Ltd) (WGS)
  • RWBE Geotechnical Drilling

The following are but a few of the major projects where Mr Weppelmann was responsible for the geotechnical drilling:


Testing/Instrumentation existing dams

  • 1987 Cullinan Slimes, Anglo
  • 1988 Kaffir River, Ninham Shand
  • 1988 Modder River, VKE
  • 1989 Rietvlei Dam, SRK
  • 1992 Shongweni Dam, Stewart Scott
  • 1994 Merriespruit Slimes, SRK
  • 1995 Tailings Dam, SRK

New Dams

  • 1976 Qwa-Qwa Dam, Ninham Shand
  • 1976 Ngwavuma Dam, Swaziland, Garlbro
  • 1984 Komati River Dam, Swaziland, Chunnete & Fourie
  • 1986 New Foskor Slimes Dam, Watermeyer leg
  • 1988 Mzinti Dam, Eastern Transvaal, BKS
  • 1989 Nevada Dam, BKS
  • 1991 Verdrag Dam, SRK
  • 1992 Gluckstad Natal, T Mitchell
  • 1993 Amanzimtoti Reservoir, GSI
  • 1996 Paris Dam, Natal, Consult Bureau

Major Bridges

  • 2002 Msikaba River Gorge, N2 SANRAL (VKE)
  • 2002/3 Mtentu River Gorge, N2 SANRAL (VKE)
  • Umkomaas River, VKE
  • Umzimkulu River, Ninham Shand
  • Tugela River, Stewart Scott
  • Usutu River, Swaziland, Carlbro
  • Ellisras Mogol River, VKE

Tunnels

  • 2000 Tunnel under Vaal River, Rand Water
  • 1998 Mohale Tunnel Outlet, Katse Concor Holdings

Other Structures

  • 2000 Rossing Uranium Mine, BKS
  • 2000 LNDC Centre Lesotho, VKE
  • 1998 Midmar Tunnel, Moore Spencer Jones
  • 1998 Railway Cutting Estcourt, Moore Spencer Jones
  • 1996 BMW Factory, VKE
  • 1996 PPC Pretoria, Jeffaris & Green

Elizahn Keyter
Administration

Elizahn Keyter

Elizahn is an accomplished quantity surveyor. She is our office manager, takes care of all the tenders, and ensures that the team operates as a well-oiled machine.


Elizahn serves as the business' main contact and she looks forward to meet you. You can contact her on 083 446 4762.


Mishack Katjedi
Drilling supervisor



Mr Katjedi has been with the company since its inception in 2002. He is a highly trained and experienced drill supervisor and has completed all the above projects for RWBE Drilling. He is trained for normal conventional and wireline drilling techniques and all associated practices.



Drilling supervisors



Johannes Katjedi, Rapula Mphateng, and Johannes Shabangu have been employed on a part-time basis with the company for five to eight years and have been in permanent employment as drillers since January 2012. They are trained as drillers and successfully completed their training in January 2012 (conventional drilling and associated practices, SHE training, and first aid).

Our Team in Action


Life working away from home can be challenging, but it is equally rewarding. We ensure that conditions away from home are as comfortable as possible for the team members.

Proper preparation

Before we set off, proper planning of the excursion and equipment required to complete the task is vital. Our success hinges on Elizahn Keyter, our administrative manager, who oversees all our project planning. An accomplished quantity surveyor, Elizahn knows what is required to ensure every operation runs smoothly.

We often work in remote areas and thus it is essential that the project's logistics are planned to the last detail. The photo to the right (or below if viewed on a mobile device) was taken during work done for ESKOM. Where workshops and emergency repairs are not available, we must do it ourselves, on site.

Sometimes, accessing remote locations require us to innovate, such as building bridges to cross rivers

Building bridges to travese areas
Preparation

Setting up a base camp

Setting up a base camp from where operations will take place is important as we need our staff to live comfortably while working on a project. Here we depend heavily on Christo, who is our site manager. He is responsible for all aspects of the base camp, from accommodation, food, and safety, through setting up and running the drilling operations.

It is essential that the living conditions accommodate the long periods that the team members are away from home, and as such, we make every effort to make life as comfortable as possible. Below is a photo of our campsite during an excursion to Zambia in 2009.

Our campsite in Zambia, 2009
The base camp

Drilling operations to specification

The task of drilling and extracting core is dependent on the client's requirements and specifications. At all times, the safety of our crew is paramount. Our team members are all trained to the highest HSE requirements. We watch one another's backs, as your safety determines mine.

We often drill in relatively inaccessible areas and this is a testimony to the fact that we walk the extra distance to ensure we deliver on our customers' expectations. Because of the remote areas we often work in, it is essential that all machinery and tools are in perfect condition, avoiding downtime because of unplanned maintenance.

Typical work environment
Safety

What it is all about – the soil

Core drilling is about finding out the composition of whatever is under your feet and the risks it may pose for future construction and development of the area.

We analyse extracted core and also send it for further study. This is all done in accordance with the requirements of the client. For longer contracts, core sheds are built to house all extracted core on site.

Constructing core sheds to keep extracted core safe and organised.
The soil

Completed Projects


RWBE Geotechnical Drilling has completed many projects independently for a variety of clients: Eskom, BKS, VELA VKE, SANRAL, Stewart Scott International, Roads Department (Limpopo, Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga), Platinum Mines, Partridge Maud & Associates, Arcus Gibb, Knight Piesold, and Pretoria Portland Cement.


Some of these projects include drilling for electrical power stations, hydroelectricity plants, wind farms, road investigations (bridges, culverts, quarries), new dam sites and the rehabilitation of existing dams, mining exploration, new airports, manufacturing plants, bridges over railway lines and rivers, road rehabilitation drilling, building foundation investigations, and more.


List of Completed Projects

Summary

Strengths

Our focus is on delivering excellent results and doing the work properly. We have completed many projects for clients all across Southern Africa.

Qualifications and Experience

Richard Weppelmann

B Sc Electronic Engineering

A qualified engineer, Richard Weppelmann obtained his degree in Electronic Engineering from Pretoria University in 1987. He worked for Telkom SA (Pty) Ltd for 17 years where he was involved in Project Engineering and worked to bring technologies such as ISDN and ADSL to South Africa.

More on Richard...

Christo Bekker

Project manager

Christo Bekker is a project manager with an on-the-ground attitude. He joined the RWBE team in October 2007. His specialises in site and logistical management. Christo previously worked at N1 4x4 repair/build workshop as a workshop manager for nine years. His experience in vehicle and engine repair/maintenance is unmatched.

See Christo's detailed experience...

Elizahn Keyter

Quantity surveyor

Elizahn is an accomplished quantity surveyor and takes care of all of the administrative tasks in the company, including tenders for all our projects. Feel free to contact her on 083 446 4762.

Elias Moloi

Drill supervisor

Elias joined RWBE in May 2006 as a drill supervisor. He has managed to grow his expertise in the company and has mastered all required operations in the drilling fraternity. At the moment Elias is tasked with managing drill sites on his own and he is slowly being involved in the day to day running of the company.

More on Elias as drill supervisor...

Jan Weppelmann

Geotechnical drilling consultant

Jan started his drilling career as a soil laboratory assistant at VKE in 1959. After that he was employed as field staff sourcing road construction materials, drilling for culverts, bridges, etc and supervising construction, and eventually specialised in foundation drilling under the leadership of VKE as Geodata.

Meet Jan, the expert...

Most recent projects

Complete resumé

2012 – current


Our Completed Projects

AECD / Raubex

Completed May 2023 – current

Murraysburg Windfarm Project Khangekla, Umsinde and Ishwati Windfarm; Additional Khangela and Ishwati re-drilling.

SANRAL Kwazulu Natal

Completed end-December 2023

N2 Widening, Hluhluwe, Kwazulu Natal.

TRAC

Completed December 2023

Drilling for upgrades to the TRAC N4 National Route, sections MDC10, Section MDC. and the MARA interchange.

SANRAL Limpopo

Completed April 2023

Geotechnical Drilling for rehabilitation of the R524 in Louis Trichardt (Makhado).

Power Group (Red Rocket)

Completed February 2023

Geotechnical foundation investigation on Impofu Wind Farm, Oyster Bay.

EDF Renewables (France)

Completed October 2022

Geotechnical investigation for Hartebeesfontein and Umsobomvu Wind Farms, Noupoort.

SONAE Novobord Plant

Completed July 2022

Geotechnical drilling for new SONAE plant foundations.

CONCOR

Completed June 2022

Geotechnical drilling for Wolf Wind Farm, turbine position investigations, Wolwefontein, Eastern Cape.

Amathole District Municipality

Completed May 2022

Hogsback Dam (Plaaitjieskraal dam), foundation drilling investigation and subsequent water pressure testing.

Jones and Wagener

Completed February 2022

Fairlands Drilling, foundation investigations.

  • All
  • Braamhoek
  • Foxwood Dam
  • Gariep
  • Noupoort
  • SERE Windfarm
  • St Helena
  • Swaziland Dam
  • TRAC
  • Tzaneen Dam
  • Zambia


Braamhoek Project 1

Braamhoek Project: Setting up camp for the Braamhoek project. It is always our focus to make life working away from home as comfortable as possible, given the environment.

SERE Windfarm 1

SERE Windfarm: Building a coreshed during the project. A storage facility is critial for the protection on the extracted core.

Zambia 1

Exploration in Zambia: Situated in the Zambian Copper Belt, this was an extensive project. Feasibility drilling for hydroelectricity power station in the Kabompo Gorge in Zambia (North West).

Braamhoek Project 2

Braamhoek Project Drilling: Braamhoek drilling for the outlet tunnel for Eskom's PSS (Pumped Storage Scheme).

Braamhoek Project 3

Braamhoek Project: Drilling in various areas, sometimes difficult to access.

Zambia 2

Zambia: Further drilling for a hydroelectricity power station in the Kabompo Gorge in Zambia (North West)

Braamhoek Project 4 4

Braamhoek Project: After the project had been completed, we ensured that the area was left in pristine condition, with vergetation and soil rehabilitation paramount.

Braamhoek Project 5

Braamhoek Project: Another example of how drilling operations are followed up by re-establishing the surrounding soil and vegetation.

Zambia 3

Zambia: Drilling in often inaccessible areas is just part of the job.

Braamhoek Project 6

Braamhoek Project: To further aid the environment, we will often water newly planted vegetation before we leave, especially in drier months.

Braamhoek Project 7

Braamhoek Project: Drilling against a magnificant backdrop.

Zambia 4

Zambia: The excursion in Zambia was a highlight. Due to the terrain and inaccessibility, we often had to build makeshift bridges.

Braamhoek Project 8

Braamhoek Project: Drilling in the beautiful eastern Freestate region of Van Reenen.

Braamhoek Project 9

Braamhoek Project: We often take the time to just enjoy the scenery.

Zambia 5

Zambia: Working along riverbeds in Zambia.

SERE Windfarm 2

SERE Windfarm: Drilling in an area for a proposed windfarm.

Zambia 6

Zambia: Building a makeshift bridge in an inaccessible area.

Zambia 7

Zambia: Drilling along steep river beds.

Zambia 8

Zambia: The terrain is beautiful and unspoilt. This is just one exxample of how we are willing to access difficult terrain in order to do the work.

SERE Windfarm 3

SERE Windfarm drilling operations.

Zambia 9

Zambia: Our campsite during the Zambian project. Keeping staff comfortable is vital.

Zambia 10

Zambia: A makeshift bridge. It remained after the project.

Foxwood 1

Foxwood Dam.

Foxwood Dam 2

Foxwood Dam.

Foxwood Dam 3

Foxwood Dam.

Foxwood Dam 4

Foxwood Dam.

Foxwood Dam 5

Foxwood Dam.

Noupoort 1

Noupoort

Noupoort 2

Noupoort

Noupoort 3

Noupoort

Noupoort 4

Noupoort

Gariep 1

Gariep 1

Gariep 2

Gariep 2

Gariep 3

Gariep 3

Gariep 4

Gariep 3

Rooikat 1

Rooikat 1

Rooikat 2

Rooikat 2

Rooikat 3

Rooikat 3

Rooikat 4

Rooikat 4

St Helena 1

St Helena

St Helena 2

St Helena

St Helena 3

St Helena

St Helena 15

St Helena 15

St Helena 5

St Helena

St Helena 6

St Helena 6

St Helena 7

St Helena 7

St Helena 8

St Helena 8

St Helena 9

St Helena 9

St Helena 10

St Helena 10

St Helena 11

St Helena 11

St Helena 12

St Helena 12

St Helena 13

St Helena 13

St Helena 14

St Helena 14

St Helena 16

St Helena 16

St Helena 17

St Helena 17

St Helena 18

St Helena 18

Swaziland Dam 1

Swaziland Dam 1

Swaziland Dam 2

Swaziland Dam 2

Swaziland Dam 3

Swaziland Dam 3

Swaziland Dam 4

Swaziland Dam 1

Swaziland Dam 5

Swaziland Dam 5

TRAC 1

TRAC 1

TRAC 2

TRAC 2

TRAC 3

TRAC 3

TRAC 4

TRAC 4

TRAC 5

TRAC 2

TRAC 6

TRAC 6

TRAC 7

TRAC 7

TRAC 8

TRAC 8

TRAC 9

TRAC 9

TRAC 10

TRAC 10

TRAC 11

TRAC 11

TRAC 12

TRAC 12

Tzaneen Dam 1

Tzaneen Dam 1

Tzaneen Dam 2

Tzaneen Dam 2

Tzaneen Dam 3

Tzaneen Dam 3

Client Feedback


What our clients have said about us.

Danie Van Der Walt

Danie van der Walt, Geotechnical Specialist, SNA Civil and Structural Engineers (PTY) Ltd.

RWBE won’t back down from a challenge. A delight to work with.

Bruce Webber

Bruce Webber MEng, Geotechnical Engineer, BVI Consulting Engineers

I had the privilege of working with this great Drilling Team on a number of projects. It has been my experience that RWBE always aims to deliver quality drilling work and they repeatedly exceed client expectations.

John Brown

John Brown, Principal Engineering Geologist, Consultant, SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.

RWBE will not let you down. Hard working, quality drilling and integrity. Highly recommended.

Jaco Van Tonder

Jaco van Tonder, Lead Engineering Geologist

RWBE is arguably one of the best drilling contractors in South Africa, delivering geotechnical drilling services per specification and to satisfaction.

Contact Us


We are ready to assist you. Kindly contact us with your requirements.

Our Address

Plot 269, Grootvlei, Pretoria


Email Us

info@rwbedrilling.co.za


Call Us

082 851 5989 (Richard)

Call Us

083 446 4762 (Elizahn)

Crossing a selfmade bridge in Zambia, 2009