Project completion report : accelerated impact program; sub-project : borehole drilling

The project was approved and funds allotted in only 3 months time. A.I.D. funds were used to purchase a Schramm T685H drilling rig (in operation by 10/79), a mud pump, a casing hammer, drill hammers and bits, and rig spares. Also purchased, in 10/79, were a casing perforator, fishing tools, and drill collars, connectors and roller bits; a final order of rig spares was made in 10/81. The GOB contributed four trucks, a low-bed trailer, a water cart, two caravans, and other tools and equipment. It also covered costs of a drilling crew, a maintenance contract with the equipment supplier, recurrent crew costs, and rig and support equipment, and of consultant hydrogeologists to assist in borehole siting. A drilling instructor provided on-the-job training to 3 permanent and 13 temporary Batswana trainees assigned to the rig. Good performance of the rig has helped the GOB approach drilling goals. That only 135 drilled boreholes were successful (54% of goal) is attributed the poor performance of older equipment and geological difficulties. To alleviate this problem, GOB has requested A.I.D. financing of two additional Schramm rigs.