Ingenieur Vol 68 Oct-Dec 2016 | Page 13

    Figure 5: Applications of mobile digital laser scanners for industrial site surveys 4. Borehole drill positioning quality Accurate drill positioning, critical for the construction, petroleum and mineral resource industries; complemented by efficient drill hole inclination quality management can offer substantial savings to industrial site drilling costs. From site studies carried out in the industry, it is noted that a 3% increase in down-the-hole (DDH) accuracy can achieve a 5% savings in overall exploration drilling and rock fragmentation costs. The latest innovation towards efficient attainment of drill hole inclination quality is the electronic laser multi-shot drill hole positioning technology (Figure 6). This unique equipment measures the inclination, azimuth, dip angle, temperature and magnetic field factor as the drill hole progresses to its designated depth. The other benefits of this setup include its robustness, rapid data recording, low power consumption and can safely operate up to ground pressures of 30,000 kPa (4350 psi). 5. Improved Real time Transport Equipment Efficiency/ Intelligent GPS The benefit in the improvement of transport equipment and operator efficiency can be realised using intelligent GPS link-up via rapid real-time parallel communication to multiple site equipment.   Figure 6: Drill hole inclination quality and   borehole accuracy technology    Figure 7: Setup of real time equipment performance assessment This novel satellite linkup is most practical for the continuous monitoring and recording of work performance for the respective transport equipment (Figure 7). Information collected during real time on equipment operations can immensely assist top management in their efficient decision making process towards suitable equipment selection, determination of the optimum bucket size or drill bit specifications; or even identification of the best performing operators for a designated 11