UNDERGROUND DRILLING
touch-screen graphical user interface.
The DD422i has been put to the test at AngloGold’ s Sunrise Dam operation in Australia. Barminco told IM that its engineers and crew have been impressed with its output thus far.“ We are extremely happy with the innovation that this drill provides.”
The major benefits cited for the DD422i are the auto drilling and increased development metres. Barminco engineers can pre-define and program the drill pattern on the rig allowing the operator to simply start the process. Due to the accuracy and sensor technology, Barminco has found that drill consumables use has reduced, the over break is reduced and the blast is flatter, which leads to a better result on the next drill blast rotation.
Water hammers perform in Zambia
The Lubambe copper mine is an underground mining operation situated in the Zambian copper belt. The mine started production in 2012 and to reach deeper levels, there was a great need to extend the infrastructure. Wassara says its water-powered drilling was chosen for many reasons.
“ Lubambe initiated programs to entrench safety and environmental responsibility. They called the program‘ Target Zero’ or‘ Pantu Tulasakamana’ which is a Bemba phrase meaning‘ Because we care.’ The program includes monitoring of dust, noise and energy consumption. Thanks to the combination of the water-powered Wassara hammer and the water-powered drill rig, provided by the contractor HPE, optimal conditions were achieved. The water suppresses and eliminates the dust and the noise level is dampened by the water in the hole. The Wassara hammer is also 4-5 times more energy efficient than traditional air powered DTH hammers.”
Holes were needed for both power-cables and drainage of water. The designed drill holes were up to 88 m long and as flat as 15 degrees.“ Rotary non-percussive drilling seemed to be the only feasible method to deliver such demanding holes. However, the mine was seeking a drilling method that could be just as productive as traditional percussive drilling methods. When introduced to Wassara, they immediately identified its technology as the solution to drilling such demanding holes in terms of straightness and yet achieving a high productivity.”
Wassara is the only DTH-hammer technology that doesn’ t pressurise the formations since water is used to power the hammer instead of compressed air. The holes were drilled with the Wassara W150 hammer with a 165 mm drill bit. Some of the holes were reamed to 250 mm and 350 mm. In order to guarantee as straight holes as possible, several guide-tubes were used behind the hammer. Once the holes had been drilled, casings were installed in order to prevent the holes from collapsing due to the soft formation.
“ The combination of the water-powered Wassara hammer and the waterpowered drill rig from HPE was a true success for the mine. Not only had the drill holes been completed within the time schedule and deviation requirements of roughly 1 % but new standards for the work environment had been set as well.”
Wassara has also recently launched the W50.220 HAMMER. As with its other hammer ranges, it is a good choice in mining for drilling in sensitive areas as well as for drilling long straight holes. The water-powered hammer is capable of penetrating almost any formation while maintaining speed and accuracy.
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JUNE 2017 | International Mining 23