SURFACE DRILLING
Epiroc ' s new Explorac RC30 Smart
tramming and setup operations remain manual but can be done with a tethered remote . Once the rig is positioned and levelled over the hole the automated sequence starts . However , Carpenter did say that automation of the tramming and set-up is firmly in the development roadmap for the new rig and that this is something being driven by customers . “ And it isn ’ t that much of a leap with what has been done with other rigs – not just the big Pit Vipers but also small models like the D65 SmartROC DTH rig . Ultimately we will leverage our expertise to standarise automation across all our major exploration , development and production drilling platforms .”
Since 1985 , Epiroc has been in a long-distance relationship with Metzke , which since that time has been involved in building RC drilling rigs for Epiroc customers around the world , as well as supplying them with additional drilling equipment and consumables . In 2019 , the two companies embarked on the Explorac RC30 Smart exploration drilling rig project . Chief among its impressive list of features : the ability to generate 30 t of pullback force , fully automated rod handling , and a combined software-hardware interface that ensures the Explorac RC30 Smart can be upgraded over the years .
“ Typically , there hasn ’ t been a lot of automation in the exploratory drilling space : this is an absolute game-changer ,” says David Benton , Sales & Product Manager Exploration Drilling Equipment at Epiroc Australia . “ The rig is built around our control system , and we engineer it from start to finish , meaning the end-user gets a rig with improved stability , smoother automation and improved machine life .”
And as stated , although the Explorac RC30 Smart is being designed by Epiroc in Sweden , Metzke took the lead in the rig ’ s assembly . This unconventional approach has yielded plenty of benefits . For end users , a locally assembled rig means customers will get their machinery faster
when compared to ordering a unit from overseas and having it shipped to Australia . From Epiroc ’ s perspective , Metzke ’ s ability to quickly manufacture machinery and parts inhouse has made it an important partner throughout the development of the Explorac RC30 Smart , but the relationship between the two companies is also about close cooperation .
“ Metzke provides Epiroc with a lot of insight and knowledge into the local industry ,” says Benton . As the sales & product manager , he is in constant contact with Metzke , his Epiroc colleagues in Sweden , as well as potential customers in the Australian marketplace that the rig is being pitched at . “ All detail relating to machine specification is then established through Epiroc marketing teams in Australia and Sweden .”
Metzke Engineering Manager Matt Leahy has been with the company for 15 years . Many of those years have been spent collaborating with Epiroc around the world . In addition to providing Epiroc ’ s design team with feedback on how the rig would work in the field , he and Assembly Superintendent David Mathieson also supply Sweden with valuable insight into meeting Australian requirements , as well as practical aspects that the field driller would value . In return , Metzke is given direct access to Epiroc ’ s plans and data . Metzke ’ s facilities are ground in a growing setup divided between various warehouses in the industrial area of Canning Vale , a suburb south of Perth .
Innovation in communications between the two companies includes Realware headsets worn by key members of the assembly team . Originally utilised by Epiroc for troubleshooting purposes ,
Tribe Tech Group has set out to revolutionise RC drilling with its Tribe Tech Drilling System ( TTDS™ ) technology and initial TTDS GC 700 model . This image shows Australian Ambassador to Ireland , Gary Grey , with Tribe Tech MD Charlie King on a March 2022 visit to the factory
these Wi-Fi headsets are similar to GoPros that record video of what the wearer can see , only with the added benefit of an interface that allows users to open and share computer files .
Tribe Tech designs an RC future from the ground up
IM recently visited the new Tribe Tech Group autonomous reverse circulation rig factory in Mallusk , just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland , to find out more about this remarkable start-up company , which has its second hub in Leederville , Western Australia , that has set out to revolutionise RC drilling with its Tribe Tech Drilling System ( TTDS™ ) technology and initial TTDS GC 700 model . MD Charlie King answers some questions in the attached interview on p . 16 .
On the investment front , Tribe Tech has also just recently secured a new round of significant series A funding involving private investors from both Northern Ireland and Australia , which has been match funded by Co-Fund NI , thought the amount has not been disclosed . Tribe Tech remains a private company , with the employees still owning the majority . R & D partner and global blasthole drill automation tech major FLANDERS is also involved as a partner . This latest funding follows almost £ 1 million from Invest NI , towards the creation of over 80 jobs .
AutoRun ’ s RC drill rig autosamplers
Malaga , WA-based AutoRun is a developer of two different models of reverse circulation drill rig autosamplers . The first is an engineering joint venture with Ausdrill Ltd on their Rock Commander series drill rigs . This has resulted in the commercialisation of the Rock Commander Sampling and Surveying Drill Rig ( RCASS ) which has units successfully deployed at BHP Iron Ore . The Ausdrill Rock Commander ( RCASS ) is a patented reverse circulation drill rig designed for use in grade control environments . It is an innovation in automated precision drilling and an industry first in labour free sampling . This is achieved through the RayTrac RFID sampling system hardware and its data portals being integrated with the rig and client databases . This means sampling is programmed , executed and tracked with all data uploaded to the database without the need for human supervision . Ausdrill and AutoRun told IM that as no drill offsiders are required on the rig , staffing is down by at least 50 %. Already the rigs have achieved 2.5 years LTI free , with no injuries on any drill rig since commissioning . Plus productivity has increased by double shifting because they can now drill conventional RC on night shifts .
In addition to the RCASS , AutoRun has built a second-generation in-house automatic drill rig sample bag handler called The RC Drill Rig AutoSampler for use with any type of RC drill rig .
12 International Mining | APRIL 2022