UNDERGROUND DRILLING
optional laser barrier or boom isolation switch can be installed .
With growing efforts across the mining industry to improve safety and efficiency standards , mines are deeply involved in controlling operational costs , improving the productivity of the existing equipment and reducing the role of the operator underground . They want to enhance and streamline the operations by taking advantage of automation or other digital technologies . Therefore , Mine Master implemented an electronic drilling support – Automatic Drilling System . Once the machine is set up , a fully-automated ADS system allows the machine to drill the face without the intervention of a drilling operator . ADS is able to adjust a drilling pattern to quite a wide range of faces and select the most suitable one .
Due to the deteriorating environmental conditions in which operators of self-propelled mining machines work , as well as the constant drive to improve safety , including by reducing the number of personnel in mining excavations , the company is also working on a solution for remote machine operation . “ In this solution , operating control rooms are grouped in one place and supervised by a limited number of highly qualified personnel . This will complement Mine Master ’ s offer for customers in the phase of pursuing fully autonomous machines .”
Mine Master says it prides itself in not only developing machines that are cost effective but also provide high performance capabilities , and argues that its machines are reliable , easy to maintain and simple to operate , and most importantly , safe . In a drive to follow the constant need for intelligent mining and monitoring systems Mine Master has developed monitoring systems , which help to control drilling parameters as well as support more effective drilling . These systems include : BCS ( bolting counting system ), BMS ( Basic Monitoring system ), DMS ( drilling monitoring system ) and the FGS ( feeder guider system ). These solutions give the possibility to monitor bolting and drilling parameters and allow for drilling to the pre-set drilling parameters , mechanised bolting , transmitting data via Wi-Fi and remote controlled drilling or bolting .
Sandvik – new machines , new capabilities
Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions recently launched the new Sandvik DT923i jumbo , its latest development drill rig for high power face drilling in tunnel and cavern excavations . “ Together with the new RD5 series high frequency rock drills and rock tools designed for high speed drilling , it delivers uncompromised accuracy and productivity ,” says Sandvik . The new Sandvik DT923i is an automated i-series tunnelling jumbo with two electro-hydraulic booms providing the highest levels of performance and reliability . The computercontrolled rig ’ s automatic drilling functions and operator controlled boom positioning make it ideal for face drilling . As well as incorporating some of Sandvik ’ s latest developments in information technology solutions , the new rig uses Sandvik ’ s new RD5 series high frequency rock drills . “ It has fast and automatic rod handling , an ergonomic cab and a powerful yet economic carrier , making it a comprehensive high speed drilling solution . Designed to maximise operator safety and ergonomics , Sandvik DT923i also has high parts commonality with other Sandvik drill rigs .”
The rig ’ s new SB110i uses Sandvik ’ s patentpending stiff square shape boom technology , optimised with a front wrist structure that effectively provides up to 62 % more side coverage . A new fully proportional boom control enables accurate and fast manual boom handling , delivering operational savings when tunnelling . The rig also features an optional boom collision prevention and avoidance package . The Sandvik DT923i also comes equipped with some of the latest developments in information technology-based face drilling automation .
On this same topic , Sandvik is looking to further optimise the drilling and blasting process with an updated version of its iSURE ® underground rock excavation software . iSURE , Sandvik says , works seamlessly with its i-series drill rigs , providing accurate analysis functionality to improve the work cycle and process . It has evolved into a renowned computer program for tunnelling construction and mining drill and blast process control , helping produce the data needed for optimising the drilling and blasting cycle . iSURE 8.0 added a template-based drill and blast plan generation tool that considered rock blastability , tunnel profile quality target and explosives used , not forgetting designer capability to easily edit and tune the result based on the feedback of the drill and blast process , Sandvik says . iSURE 8.1 builds on this , including an in-built three-day training program to cover steps from simple concepts to the more advanced cases .
A key development sees iSURE 8.1 having a toolset for specifically covering “ advanced metrics ”. This helps the user increase knowledge and reveal points of improvement in face drilling rigs usage and in the tunnel excavation drill and blast process via producing high level key performance indicators from collected rounds and respective design data . These consist of production , realised schedule and heuristics analysis of the data addressing the feedback received regarding version iSURE
8.0 . They are targeted to improve excavation ( face drilling ) production capability , plan future activities such as new projects , and to raise awareness when problems or difficulties occur .
The new and existing features found with iSURE 8.1 are designed to improve the entire drill and blast process through data collection . It will also hint if any rig adjustment is required , or if rig misuse is suspected . It shows the change in rock mass drillability , drill steel consumption , face shape after blasting and scaling , any operator deviation from the plan while drilling , and , based on scanner data , the realised profile and production volume . All this results in improved production and productive feedback that can be assessed and built upon , empowering the entire drill and blast process , the company says . iSURE 8.1 is not the final development of this solution from Sandvik . New improvements and developments are planned based on further sharing of knowledge and experience with customers and drill and blast professionals globally , the company says .
Currently , iSURE is used with Sandvik ’ s i- series face drilling rigs , the original construction i-series and newer bedrock-style i-series , TCAD + and bolting instruments .
Working hand in hand with contractor customers
Contractors are very important underground drill customers , and Redpath Australia recently took delivery of the first Sandvik DD212 production drill in Australia , putting it into action at Silver Lake Resources ’ Rothsay gold mine in Western Australia . The DD212 is a single-boom , electrohydraulic drill for mining development and production and has been highly anticipated in the Australian narrow-vein market , Redpath says .
Redpath Australia ’ s Plant Manager , Chris Riethmuller , said the contractor specifically needed a rig that could drill in a 2 x 3 m drive and was able to drill within 100 mm of each wall to minimise dilution and increase recovery .
“ Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions stepped up to the challenge to the extent of redesigning the boom configuration to accommodate the request ,” he said . “ We then challenged them further and requested a 12-rod carousel be fitted to both of the rigs we have ordered . Sandvik had a plan in the pipeline for this carousel but agreed to fast track the project for us .”
The carousel has not yet been fitted to the first machine working at Rothsay due to scheduling requirements but is due to arrive in June , according to Riethmuller , who said the company is looking forward to taking advantage of the increased safety and expected productivity gain this tool will deliver .
38 International Mining | JUNE 2021