ROCK TOOLS ROCK TOOLS
ROCK TOOLS several field tests around the world by drilling more than 100 km in difficult rock conditions . “ The test results show 50 % reduction in fuel consumption , 25 % reduction in total drilling costs and 15 % increase in productivity compared to down-the-hole ( DTH ) drilling method .” Sandvik says it is the first to introduce this kind of new top hammer drilling technology that can achieve cost effective drilling results in large mining hole sizes . The new system will be launched in more detail during the first half of 2021 .
Epiroc ’ s Epsilon 2 and Omega S
IM also caught up with Saim Bahadir Ergener , Epiroc Product Line Manager for Rotary , Raiseboring on the company ’ s latest tricone bit evolution . Epiroc has two important segments , when it comes to tricone bits - air bearing bits & sealed bearing bits . “ Depending on the conditions at site , machine air compressor capacity , you need to select the right product for the customer operation . The biggest challenges with tricone bits are the lifetime of the bits . The second issue is hole cleaning and third one is the Air Water Separator which keeps
JSI – China ’ s premium tools supplier
Paul Moore spoke to Joe Shen , Overseas Business Development Manager at leading Chinese rock tools player , JSI Rock Tools Co Ltd , based in Guiyang , Guizhou , about its market offering and position
Q How successful has JSI been in the global market for mining rock tools in recent years versus other global players and what regions outside China ? A We come up against the well-known global drill bit suppliers on many projects , as an example we have had a number of trials against products from Epiroc and Sandvik , and some customers have chosen us , simply because we offered a better overall cost per metre performance . The South American market particularly has been a big success for us . We have set up a branch company in Chile called JSI LA which opened in Rancagua in 2019 headed by Juan Carlos our Director and we also have an exclusive distributor in Peru . And we have been cooperating with customers at some Argentinian and Brazilian projects for years . Our product quality and performance have been proven in that region . By setting up the branch in Chile in particular , JSI Rock Tools can provide better services to local mining customers . Juan Carlos has 20 years of experience in the application of rock drilling tools in mining and has a team of experienced Chilean staff . JSI LA can provide economic and practical solutions to help drop total drilling costs , as well as they will also providing effective and quick services to meet customer demands more efficiently .
Q Is it fair to say that out of the Chinese rock tools suppliers that you are considered one of the premium players ? Are there any particular tools you are known for ? A Among Chinese manufacturers , our quality is ranked at the top . We have strict raw materials checks and acceptance processes with our production quality checked which ensure only premium and consistent quality products are supplied to customers . Our bit type B45R32-G633A is a very typical product for underground tunnelling and drifting . Also , our MF rods ( T38 , T45 and T51 ) for underground production and open pit mines are very competitive . And unlike some Chinese suppliers we are not supplying copies - JSI has its own patents and will develop more of our own innovations in the future . Also , unlike some , we accepted long ago that hand drills are old technology and most mining companies even in China now use mechanised drill rigs which have much better safety and efficiency . We foresaw this change so our factory is designed to produce high quality threaded rock drilling tools including drill bits , rods , shank adapters and couplings from sizes R25 , R28 , R32 , R35 , T38 , T45 , T51 , ST58 , ST68 to G60 threads .
Q Can you supply any customer feedback on performance of JSI tools ? A Leading African contract miner , African Underground Mining Services ( AUMS ) is a 50:50 Barminco / Ausdrill JV and is one of our well-known customers . Several years ago , they ran trials at a new underground mine in Tanzania on our bits with the result that on metres drilled and bit wear they were comparable to one of the major Scandinavian bit suppliers . They went on to order first our 45 mm bits and then other products .
JSI recently set up a branch company in Chile called JSI LA which opened in Rancagua in 2019 water out of the bit .”
Ergener said there are two patented Epiroc features in its new Epsilon 2 bits that combine to solve two of these problems : Tornado , which channels cooling air over the hotter load side of the bearing , and Torrent , which removes moisture from the cooling air and therefore reduces corrosion . “ Thanks to smart patented features , Epsilon 2 will greatly improve drilling productivity through extended bit life and a faster rate of penetration .”
The new air-bearing bit has been tested thoroughly in the field by selected customers in highly diverse operating conditions in North America , South America and Asia . The tests show an average of more than 60 % longer distance drilled before bit discard compared to the previous Epsilon generation – peaking at over 100 % in some cases .
“ Longer bit life means improved personal safety through reduced operator interaction with the drill bit . With twice the distance drilled , there is no need to replace the bit every day , perhaps only once a week , depends on the formation and conditions . Another aspect of extended bit life is that there will be fewer bits manufactured in total over time , which in turn reduces the outtake of raw material , the transportations and the ecological footprint .”
The newest development from Epiroc is the Omega-S rotary drill bit , designed to be a hybrid between air and double sealed bearing tricone bit . “ This improved bit consists of a hybrid strainer , which has an additional feature of grease reservoir , which lubricates the sealed bit bearings . This feature also serves a dual purpose for conversion of a sealed bit into air bearing bit once the seals completes its life cycle . These bits also comprise nozzles with larger ID for efficient removal of cuttings . This bit will last substantially longer and run with a more sustained penetration rate as compared to an standard air bearing bit .” Ergener says the Omega S single sealed bit will close a gap in the Epiroc portfolio , where customers are not happy with the standard air bearing bit performance and also don ’ t want to invest in double sealed bits . “ Another important point is , if your customer drill rig doesn ’ t have sufficient air for bailing cuttings and cooling the bearing , then you have water intrusion , and injection , so you need to use a sealed bit .”
Customer cases include in South Africa where using an Epiroc PV275 drill rig at a site in Witbank Springs coal field the Omega S drilled 24 % more metres than a standard air-bearing bit ( both 251 mm ) in tough conditions where hot drilling with a lot of water for dust suppression was causing bit failures . Another success was in China near Shenyang in iron ore with 150-240 MPa hardness . Omega S saw 15 % more drill metres versus a competitor sealed bit product of the same 251 mm size on an Epiroc CDM75E drill rig . Epiroc has also had very good results in the mines in Zambia , Australia and Chile on top of these cases . “ Our customers are very happy with the performance . One direct comment from our customer in Chile ; according to the results of the test , an increase of 10 % of useful life was obtained
54 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020