IM 2018 June 18 | Page 38

UNDERGROUND DRILLING drilling. Holes are drilled with up to 10 to 15 percent faster penetration rates than the nearest competitor. The Boomer shares the same operating system as larger Epiroc rigs, making training and cross-training easier for operators of any generation or experience level. Simulator training for underground rigs is available through Epiroc. Boart range covers all bases Boart Longyear offers a diverse range of underground production drilling services and equipment for long-hole drill and blast, slot and inverse raises, cable bolt drilling and more. The company also specialises in underground diamond core drilling solutions for both shallow and deep hole, small and large diameter core, including wireline and conventional drilling. “Field-designed safety innovations are built into all our production drilling rigs,” said Zac Strauss, Global Product Manager – Drilling Rigs. The company continuously invests in developing and building new, efficient and safe production and coring drilling rigs and also employs progressive safety and training programs to cultivate a safety culture with employees and customers. With its next generation of mobile underground drill rigs, innovative technology significantly enhances safety, increases productivity and improves ease of operation and maintenance. Looking at the Boart Longyear MDR700, which is used for underground core drilling, the rig includes an on-board rod handler to isolate the driller from the hazards of manual rod handling and reduces the risk of hand injuries. The Drill Control Interface (DCi) provides semi-automation and a fully electronic interface to safely and efficiently operate both the rod handler and the drill. The mobility of the new MDR700 is a time- saver when moving from hole-to-hole using an agile Manitou diesel-powered four-wheel drive carrier. In a study where the rig was moved 500 m (547 yards), the average time to move the The Boart Longyear StopeMate has the ability to drill a complete drop raise pattern from a single position ensuring parallel holes MDR700 rig from hole-to-hole proved to be 80% faster than a regular underground exploration rig. In conjunction with drilling services people who are using the equipment on a daily basis, Boart Longyear developed the StopeMate™ pneumatic production drill. The StopeMate has the ability to drill a complete drop raise pattern from a single position ensuring parallel holes, which is a critical consideration in longhole drilling where straight holes mean less dilution and more productivity. An optional Helac Your complete source for DRILLING rock SURFACE DRILLING TOOLS Whether you are drilling thru a mountain or a mole hill, we’ve got a durable, dependable solution for you. If you need tools for construction, mining, or demolition—we’re the only name you need to know. Call (800) 872-6899 or visit BrunnerLay.com 36 International Mining | JUNE 2018 i UNDERGROUND Brunner & Lay “Quality First” since 1882