Business Details
16 Years
experience
Specialist Drilling Services Since 2010
SJ Drilling is a family-owned business established in 2010, dedicated to delivering reliable and efficient drilling services. Our operations prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring drilling outcomes provide maximum value to clients. All rigs and equipment meet industry standards and undergo meticulous maintenance. We emphasize workplace safety, environmental responsibility, and maintaining a professional appearance through rigorous pre-project inspections. Our team combines decades of experience, including Steven Mathams' 20-year drilling expertise and Julian Irons' 30-year geotechnical engineering background. Phillip Donaldson leads drilling operations with strategic pre-planning, while Belinda Mathams ensures project efficiency and compliance documentation.We specialize in geotechnical drilling, dam investigations, groundwater monitoring, and instrumentation projects, serving construction, environmental, and mineral exploration sectors. Our three multipurpose rigs achieve depths up to 400m, equipped for diverse drilling methods including auger, wireline coring, and air drilling. Safety features include guarded automatic SPT hammers, rotation guards, and mine-spec compliance. We hold Queensland Class 1 and 2 drilling licenses, with Class 3 capabilities available for artesian drilling. Client testimonials highlight our professionalism, safety practices, and ability to deliver results in challenging conditions. Our commitment to responsible management ensures incident-free operations and minimal environmental impact.
Services
Geotechnical Drilling
Dam Investigation
Quarry Drilling
Groundwater Monitoring
Instrumentation Installation
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We operate three 400m-depth rigs with advanced safety features
- Our team holds 20-30 years' drilling and engineering experience
- We maintain ISO-compliant equipment standards across all operations
- Proven expertise in challenging dam investigation projects
- We document safety compliance for every project phase
What people say
Brilliant work
Impressed with safety
Outstanding results
Civilised drilling crew
Efficient and productive
Services
Geotechnical Drilling
Specialist geotechnical drilling services using truck and track-mounted rigs. Capable of auger, washbore, air drilling, and wireline coring methods. Provides U50/U63/U75 sampling, SPT testing, and permeability assessments. Ensures sample quality and test accuracy for engineering analysis.
Dam Investigation
Comprehensive dam investigation services including concrete coring, inclined drilling, and integrity assessments. Specialized equipment for restricted access on dam crests and slopes. Collaborates with owners and consultants to minimize structural risks during drilling operations.
Groundwater Monitoring
Groundwater drilling and monitoring well installation with Queensland Class 1-3 licensed drillers. Offers production bores, monitoring systems, and environmental compliance solutions. Utilizes advanced techniques for artesian and challenging ground conditions.
Instrumentation Installation
Installation of geotechnical and groundwater monitoring instrumentation including piezometers, inclinometers, and survey markers. Provides technical support from planning to project completion. Ensures accurate data collection for infrastructure and environmental projects.
Quarry Drilling
Quarry and resource drilling services up to 400m depth. Offers auger, RAB, and wireline drilling methods. Includes environmental monitoring and well development. Suitable for exploration and production projects in varied geological conditions.
People
Steven Mathams
Director
20 years drilling experience with diesel mechanics qualifications. Oversees equipment maintenance and operational compliance. Ensures technical standards across all drilling projects.
Julian Irons
Geotechnical Engineer
30-year industry veteran providing engineering expertise. Manages technical aspects of geotechnical projects. Ensures drilling methods meet engineering specifications and safety standards.
Phillip Donaldson
Lead Driller
Experienced lead driller and supervisor. Specializes in project pre-planning and operational coordination. Maintains quality control during drilling operations.
Belinda Mathams
Operations Support
Manages project documentation and safety compliance. Coordinates logistics for efficient project completion. Maintains safety records and operational workflows.
Questions
What drilling depths can you achieve?
Our rigs can drill up to 400 meters depth, suitable for most geotechnical and resource exploration projects.
Do you work on dam safety projects?
Yes, we specialize in dam investigations including structural assessments and integrity drilling for safety reviews.
What safety certifications do your drillers hold?
All drillers hold Queensland Class 1 licenses, with Class 2 and 3 available for specialized projects.
Can you install groundwater monitoring systems?
Yes, we install complete groundwater monitoring systems including wells and piezometers for environmental projects.
How do you handle challenging ground conditions?
Our experienced team uses specialized drilling methods and equipment to maintain quality in difficult geological conditions.
