SURFACE 24/4/07 12:56 pm Page 3

SURFACE DRILLING

Improved
performance
and versatility

New machines and DTH systems,

advanced drill monitoring and
directional control are all
assisting in surface drilling

L
eica Geosystems says increased drill
productivity on mines can now be
achieved easily thanks to its innovative
approach to GPS navigation drill monitoring
systems, and production data analysis soft-
ware. It offers the on-board navigation and
monitoring system - Leica DrillNav Plus, and
the innovative office reporting and analysis
software - Leica PitOps.
This state-of-the-art technology is improving
drill utilization by making it easy for management
to interpret and make effective decisions from
the real-time production monitoring information.
Its now possible to see clearly from the office
in real-time exactly what the whole drilling
fleet is doing, and to quickly analyze the
operations and events up to the current time,
all linked to production footage and times.
Drilling productivity can be improved
significantly by providing accurate and reliable
GPS based positioning and navigation to operators,
removing the need for survey holes, and enabling
much faster tramming between holes.
Accurate hole positions mean much more
reliable fragmentation is achieved from the blast,
and opens up the possibility of changing the
pattern designs due to reduced operator error.
Additionally, blasting effectiveness can be
improved by interpreting the ‘as drilled’ hole
information which provides measurements of
the hardness of the material via a drill index
reading and strata identification.
Leica Geosystems has been continually
developing monitoring and navigation systems
for mining machinery over 25 years. Leica
Geosystems, VP Mining Systems Americas,
Kevin Greenwood, explains that Leica DrillNav
Plus is well proven in the mining industry. “Our
drill monitoring and navigation products have
been in operation for almost 10 years around
the world, and have proven to be a reliable
and effective way to improve drilling productivity
at mine sites.”
“John Vynne’s paper presented at the ISEE
drill and blast show in January this year
provides a good example of a mine site that
has improved productivity significantly since
installation of their Leica DrillNav Plus systems
in 2002/2003. Vynne said BHP Billiton’s Navajo
coal mine in New Mexico increased overburden
drill footage from 2002 to 2006 – up a
massive 43%. A lot of this gain was attributed
to the use of Leica Geosystems drill navigation
and production monitoring systems. This
increase was reported to be aided by monitoring
and measuring the ROP (rate of penetration)
and working with the operators to improve it,
a reduction in tramming time between holes
so more holes could be drilled per shift,
reduced drill related survey costs, and better
monitoring of drill availability."
Leica DrillNav Plus systems allow operators
to see graphically the bit depth, ROP and the
relative rock hardness while drilling. The depth
from bottom of hole when the bit is raised, bit
depth in feet or meters, the depth to bottom
of hole and target depth can also be seen.
Greenwood said that operators quickly
appreciated the value of Leica DrillNav Plus.
“Operator comments included, the system was
easy to use, eliminated reports as information
was collected automatically, provided the ability
to create patterns on the Leica DrillNav Plus
screen when pattern maps weren’t provided by
the office, and made it easier to drill to an
accurate depth and know when the coal had
be intersected.
“Operators also commented that when
drilling overburden for a cast blast, the compass
on the Leica DrillNav Plus display could be used
to ensure the drill was properly aligned to the
pattern face and that the holes were drilled
accurately and parallel.”
Greenwood said Leica DrillNav Plus had a
range of other advanced attributes, meaning
better guidance and production information
were provided. “From accurate drill position,
heading and hole depths, to accurately tracking
drill time usage and delays, along with accurate
and reliable GPS position acquisition, the benefits
of Leica DrillNav Plus translate into increased
operational time for the drill.”
“Using on-board systems such as Leica
DrillNav Plus in combination with office software
such as Leica PitOps, enables quick and effective
analysis of drill performance. Leica PitOps is an

18 International Mining MAY 2007

Document3 1/5/07 7:33 am Page 1

C-ALS Cavity Auto Scanning Laser System

MDL's Cavity Autoscanning Laser System (C-ALS)
is a ruggedised 3D laser scanning system. With a
diameter of just 50mm/2”, the unit is deployable down
boreholes for surveys of underground voids and
cavities. The C-ALS measures the three-dimensional
shape of the void and its surface reflectivity. Internal
navigation sensors track the position of the probe
and determines the X,Y, Z co-ordinates of all
scanned points.

Benefits
• Survey remote, hard to enter voids and
cavities safely
• Fast scanning rate (250 points per sec) - so
you can view results in minutes, not days
• 50mm diameter allows deployment down
narrow boreholes
• Enter void from any angle
• Rugged stainless steel construction
• 360˚ spherical coverage with no blind spots

Features
• Class 1 eye safe laser distance meter
• Water and dust resistant (IP66)
• Accuracy 5cm/ 2"
• Integrated digital compass and pitch &
roll sensors
• Range up to 150m/ 500'
Rendered wire model
• Optional integrated borehole camera
• Surface unit with internal battery pack and
WI-FI connection to your PC/ laptop

Void Survey Subsidence Survey Ore-pass Surveys

For further information visit www.mdl.co.uk

USA Tel: +1 (281) 646 0050 • UK Tel: +44 (0)1904 791 139 • Email: info@mdl.co.uk
SURFACE 24/4/07 12:57 pm Page 4
SURFACE DRILLING
off-board analysis software
that provides fast and
accurate data analysis
tools, real-time information
and reports. It is changing
the face of open pit
operation management
systems. Management are
better able to make sense
of the masses of information
gathered from machine
monitoring systems such
as Leica DrillNav Plus,
using intuitive graphical
views which link all
machine activities to the
most important statistic
of all - mine production.
Other key features of Leica PitOps technology
includes:
● Graphical views - condenses the entire
operations of a mine site onto one page
● Machine analysis views – enabling quick,
accurate analysis of mine operations
● Real-time views – enabling immediate
decisions to improve mine productivity
● Exception viewer – providing alarms on
different operational events
● Fuel usage monitoring – enabling planned
fuelling events
● Crew Management – enabling supervisors
to plan and organize shifts.
Helping Pit Vipers
During the Epsilon development phase Atlas
Copco Secoroc left nothing to chance. A rigorous
engineering approach was adopted to ensure
that time and resources were put to the best
possible use. Productivity and performance
were elevated to a science.
A key development driver for Epsilon has
been the introduction of new drill rigs with
larger air packages, such as the Atlas Copco
PV271 (one of the Drilling Solutions’ Pit Viper
series). With these machines, the hole annulus
can be increased by using smaller drill pipes,
allowing for the evacuation of larger cuttings.
That is why Epsilon bits feature a streamlined
lug. As larger drill cuttings can be transported
out of the hole – instead of falling back to be
reground to smaller pieces – there is less bit
wear.
20 International Mining MAY 2007
Leica PitOps enables mines to manage all of the machines
using just the one software package, seamlessly linking the
mine office and Leica Geosystems’ full range of machine
monitoring and GPS navigation systems.
Cutting structures (the placement of tungsten
carbide inserts - TCI) and bearing geometry
have been optimized to distribute load more
uniformly over the bearings. The results
include smoother bit performance, sustained
penetration rates over longer periods of time
Atlas Copco Secoroc has set a new benchmark in
and reduced risk of bearing failure. As an
added bonus, full body armour (wear resistant
TCI) minimizes wear on both bit body and
shirt-tail. Ultimately, Secoroc reports, drillers
can now look forward to faster penetration, a
longer bit life and a significantly lower
total drilling cost.
Rockmore’s SonicFlow technology
The new Epsilon bits
are produced in a lean
manufacturing process.
This allows swift response
to shifting customer
demands – for example, a
change of diameter can
be handled quickly and
without fuss. Secoroc says
“customers will be
provided with tailored drill
bit solutions whenever
their application calls for
it, thereby ensuring
maintained efficiency and
striking performance at
all times. After all, speedy
delivery is a vital component
in achieving maximum productivity.”
DTH advances
An interesting hot new development comes
from Rockmore International – its latest design
of down-the-hole (DTH) hammers, the patent-
pending ROK, which is based on the company’s
development of SonicFlow Technology. Offered
in 76-203 mm diameter ranges, these hammers
are designed to maximize high-pressure airflows
for overall greater efficiency. With more impact
energy to the bit, higher penetration rates, and
an overall better performance, SonicFlow
Technology raises the standard of airflow
characteristics within the ROK hammer.
Previous to the ROK, airflow paths in DTH
hammers have been subject to making more
multiple turns through angled orifices, which
often creates flow-turbulence and pressure
changes. To lower the turbulence, maximize
airflow continuity, and increase hammer
performance, the Rockmore engineering team
developed the concept of SonicFlow
Technology. With substantial time spent on
design, modelling, and testing, this new
technology strongly increases airflow efficiency
within the ROK hammer and ensures that the
high pressure air paths are optimized to deliver
the greatest amount of
energy
to the piston.
The new, patent pending, Top Sub is
critical to the SonicFlow concept. As pressurized
airflow enters this new component, it is
efficiently distributed through strategically
located ports. These radial port designs provide
Document3 1/5/07 7:36 am Page 1

Magnum SR – a universal tool

for drifting and tunnelling

Thanks to a unique patented conical thread design, the

Magnum SR system offers unbeatable performance in under-
ground applications. With more material where it’s really
needed, you’re looking at a stronger, more durable drillstring
– ideal for the latest high power hydraulic rock drills.

What about size? No problem, we have the size you

need – regardless of whether you’re drilling bolting holes,
blast holes or grouting holes.

Find out more about improved penetration rate and higher

overall productivity at www.atlascopco.com

Atlas Copco Secoroc AB

Box 521, SE-737 25 Fagersta, Sweden
Phone: +46 223 461 00
E-mail: secoroc@se.atlascopco.com
www.atlascopco.com
SURFACE 26/4/07 9:33 am Page 5

SURFACE DRILLING

the perfect paths for the air to enter the hammer

chamber at high velocity and with minimal The new ROC L830 is a great choice for
back-flow interference. To minimize the back- most drilling operations in mining
flow of air and debris into the hammer, an
efficient check-valve system has been
incorporated in the Top Sub design.
The new SonicFlow hammer features a
radically new piston design with distinguished
physical features, all of which evolved from the
airflow design. Easily the most notable of these
features is the venturi-shaped radius located in
the top of the piston. This radius reduces any
undesired turbulence in the chamber and
increases airflow pressure in the piston’s
air-cycles, leading to higher energy transfers
between the pressurized air and the piston.
During the design and testing stages,
Rockmore engineers found that simplifying
and minimizing the number of individual
components used in the hammer design itself,
allowed for more direct and unrestricted air
paths, less wear points, and simpler service.
Turning to rigs that might emply such a
hammer, Atlas Copco introduced the DTH ROC
L8 rig in 1999. It soon became a popular and
efficient choice thanks to high performance
and the ability to cope with a number of
different drilling applications. Several features
have now been introduced, which has resulted
in the launch of the new ROC L830, with Atlas Copco reports. Overall drilling capacity is operator’s cab is equipped with new
greater performance and versatility. not only improved by the increased operating instrumentation consisting of an easy to use
The ROC L830 is a good choice for many pressure, but also through a unique cylinder display unit. Blastholes are drilled accurately,
applications in surface mining, such as drilling feeding system built into a box of aluminium according to plan using the GPS-based angle
production blastholes, pre-split and buffer profile and a tube handling system, which can and hole depth readings, laser plane capability
blastholes as well as lifters. Its flexibility also accommodate up to 140 mm diameter drill and auto-shut at desired hole depth. This in
makes it well suited to drilling for dewatering, tubes. Readily exchangeable stainless steel turn helps higher pit production thanks to smooth
or using the optional Reversed Circulation (RC) snap-on wear protection saves the aluminium benches and better fragmentation control.
kit means efficient in-pit grade control can be profile from wear and an efficient break out Two new Sandvik Titon 500 crawler drill rigs
performed. table facilitates the breaking of tube joints. have been delivered to a Hong Kong-China
ROC L830 operates at up to 30 bar pressure The ROC L830 is equipped with a 402 kW joint venture company for work in granite
and comes with a choice of two different drill Tier 3 engine and a 470 litre/s high pressure operations in Guangzhou, China. The owner
tube lengths; with long feed for 6 m drill two stage Atlas Copco compressor, also for of the rigs, Wah Tong Machinery Trading, is
tubes, or short feed for 5 m drill tubes and toe drilling with 102, 127 and 152 mm hammers, one of the new breed of equipment supplier-
hole drilling capability. The penetration rate of but up to a maximum diameter of 203 mm. contractor that has emerged in recent years as
the L830 is up to 30% above previous models, The comfortable ROPS and FOPS approved Hong Kong supplies equipment and expertise

22 International Mining MAY 2007

SURFACE 24/4/07 4:02 pm Page 6

05/07

Two new Sandvik Pantera Rock Pilot 1100 surface

drill rigs have been delivered to the Vietmindo open-
pit coal mine in northern Vietnam, joining four units
that have been working there for the past three
years. The two new rigs are equipped with Sandvik
GT60 rock tools.
Hoang Trong Chien, Deputy Director, Mechanical,
is in charge of the equipment on site. “Our company
made the decision some three years ago to standardise
on the use of Sandvik for overburden drilling,” he
says. “We had been partially using Japanese rock
drills but we found the productivity of the Rock Pilot-
Sandvik GT60 combination to be so outstanding that
it made perfect sense to invest in these machines for
our future needs. Not only does a consistent fleet
help in planning and meeting targets, but of course
it also greatly helps the maintenance and spares
operation.”
He says the flexibility of the Rock Pilot and GT60
combination allows the drilling of up to 140 mm Working overseas can have Providing strategic
diameter holes on 12-m bench heights and relatively
limited bench widths, and offers the ability to drill
uncertain consequences security solutions -
effectively in varying and difficult ground conditions There is little doubt that the world is a more difficult place to work and operate in than it worldwide
was just 20 years ago. It is a fact that the levels of major violent activity continue to rise
and produce high quality holes. All the Panteras have We will protect your assets,
and the number of major natural disasters has risen by 50% since 1980. Increasingly,
the new Rock Pilot drilling system as standard feature, however, businesses are looking to take advantage of emerging opportunities in developing contain your costs and increase
a feature that adjusts drilling power automatically, countries which by their very nature are often high risk. the opportunities for business in
hostile and unsafe environments.
reacting to changing rock conditions and sending the Companies who operate globally are faced with the problem of ensuring they provide
optimal amount of power to the rig’s drilling rods. suitable protection for all employees. Achieving this requires:

• The correct mechanisms for dealing with an incident

while across the border the Chinese contractors • The knowledge that employees exposed to the threat have been trained to recognise the risks
win contracts. • The knowledge that employees caught up in an incident are best prepared to survive it

Thomson Tan, Managing Director of Wah
Tong’s China operation, says that in China
there is a proliferation of second-hand
equipment that either comes directly into the
country or via Hong Kong or Macau.
“Maintenance for this equipment is however
• A plan to evacuate or rescue staff under any conditions
• Protection against the potential high costs
Universal Guardian is an international security
and risk mitigation company specialising
in the protection of commercial
and government assets at
home and abroad.

minimal,” he says. “The suppliers don’t usually

provide a service backup, and in China the
concept of continuous service and
maintenance for this type of equipment is not
yet established. Consequently, the life
expectancy for second-hand machines is limited,
and this means in turn that productivity suffers.
“The advantage we have is that we supply a
complete package, with the Sandvik Titons,
maintenance backup, and contracting expertise.
From the equipment point of view the initial
investment is higher, but the productivity and
the medium- and long-term gains are far
better. Our clients understand this approach,
and we as a supplier-contractor feel the
benefits because we are being awarded an
increasing number of contracts.”
“The Guangzhou authorities have in recent
years imposed strict regulations concerning the In partnership with:
dust and noise that come from quarrying,” he
says. “When you look at their productivity
4 Royal Mint Court • London EC3N 4HJ
requirements, and at their dust emission laws, T: +44(0)20 7073 0430 • www.universalguardian.co.uk
IM MAY-07
then the range of options open to a supplier

MAY 2007 International Mining 23

SURFACE 24/4/07 12:58 pm Page 7

SURFACE DRILLING

and contractor suddenly become narrower.
I believe that the market in China for this kind
of equipment is excellent, and I also believe
that the market for our approach, linking the
supply and contracting sides together and
working in close cooperation with the original
manufacturer, is also excellent.”
The Sandvik Titon 500, equipped with a
powerful DTH hammer, is designed for high-
capacity rock drilling in open pits. The machine
is completely self-contained, with an onboard
compressor and efficient dust collector, the
latter designed to comply with the most
stringent European environmental regulations
!TLAS#OPCO0IT6IPER!D?)-PDF0-
and well within the requirements of the
Guangzhou authorities.
/…iÊ*ˆÌÊ6ˆ«iÀÊ-iÀˆiðÊ

ʘiÜÊLi˜V…“>ÀŽÊvœÀʈ˜˜œÛ>̈œ˜°
The Titon 500s are equipped with Sandvik
Mission 50 DTH hammers, another plus factor
for productivity. The hammers and drill bits are
designed to work in perfect unison, giving
high penetration rates, long service life and
low costs. The Mission hammers and bits
feature Sandvik’s ‘mirror-impact’ technology,
which optimizes impact-energy transmission
into the rock. With no foot valve, a reversible
casing and very few parts, they are reliable,
easy to service and fast. The Titon 500 will
accommodate a hole diameter range of 90 to
152 mm and a drill tube length of 5 m.
With ROPS/FOPS certified operator’s cab,
$43 million. CEO, Peter Richards: “Castonguay
low centre of gravity and compact dimensions,
the Titon is capable of traversing rough terrain
easily and safely, and is easy to transport from
site to site. Engineered to be highly productive
and very reliable, with low lifecycle costs, the
Titon has an ergonomic layout for operator
and service engineers alike, with easy access to
all service points from ground level.
Drilling services
Dyno Nobel has been very acquisitive in drilling
services over the past 15 months and has just
purchased 100% of the shares of Castonguay,
the largest drilling and blasting company in
Canada, for an enterprise value of about
is the market-leading provider of drilling and
blasting services and this supports Dyno
Nobel’s strategy of growth into adjacent areas
such as drilling. Castonguay also meets Dyno
Nobel’s investment criteria with an EBITDA
multiple below six (before synergies) which is
consistent with recent drilling industry standards.
“The acquisition of Castonguay supports
Dyno Nobel’s current activities in the Eastern
Canadian market and provides a platform for
expanded services to existing and future
customers in the region. In addition to
explosive products, the purchase will position
Dyno Nobel as a provider of value-adding
solutions, which is key to growing revenue,
earnings and market share,” Richards said.
The Castonguay acquisition is Dyno Nobel’s
13th since December 2005, when the new
company was formed. The purchase expands
its drill and blast footprint and leverages the
drilling expertise and synergies Dyno Nobel has
achieved in the US and Canada through the
acquisitions of ETI, South Miami Heavy
Equipment, Angelini Drilling and Mountain
State Bit.

Directional core drilling

The increase in exploration and prospecting
activities lately led to research into more
efficient methods to drill boreholes. Recently
multilateral boreholes have become more
important then ever. These consist of a mother
borehole and laterals, ‘cut’ from the mother
7…i˜ÊޜսÀiÊ}iÌ̈˜}Ê`œÜ˜Ê̜ÊLÕȘiÃÃ]ÊޜÕÊÜ>˜ÌÊ>ÊÀiˆ>LiÊ`ÀˆÊ̅>Ì¿ÃÊ hole at certain depths from the collar, directed
“>ˆ˜Ìi˜>˜ViÊvÀˆi˜`ÞÊ>˜`Êi>ÃÞÊ̜ʜ«iÀ>Ìi°Ê
̏>ÃÊ
œ«Vœ½ÃʘiÜÊLÀii`Ê to reach other zones or targets in the orebody.
œvÊ*ˆÌÊ6ˆ«iÀÃʈÃÊLՈÌʜ˜Ê>ÊÀœVŽ‡Ãœˆ`ÊvÀ>“iܜÀŽÊ܈̅ÊÃÌ>Ìi‡œv‡Ì…i‡>ÀÌÊ Planning and design of multilateral bore-
ÌiV…˜œœ}ÞÊ>˜`ÊiÀ}œ˜œ“ˆVÃ]Ê«ÕÃÊ̅iÊvi>ÌÕÀiÃÊޜÕʘii`Ê̜ʈ˜VÀi>ÃiÊ holes combined with Directional Core Drilling
«Àœ`ÕV̈ۈÌÞ°Ê
˜`ÊÜi½Àiʈ˜ÊiÛiÀÞÊVœÀ˜iÀʜvÊ̅iÊ}œLiÊÀi>`ÞÊ̜ÊÃÕ««œÀÌÊÞœÕ°Ê (DCD) has dramatically improved project
-œÊVœ˜Ì>VÌÊ>Ê`i>iÀʘi>ÀÊޜÕÊ>˜`Ê}iÌÊ`œÜ˜ÊÌœÊ economy, reports Devico, a leading DCD and
“œÀiÊLÕȘiÃð borehole surveying supplier. The company has
developed a wireline core barrel - DeviDrill and
a family of surveying tools - DeviTool (on- and
ÜÜÜ°>̏>ÃVœ«Vœ°Vœ“ off-board the DeviDrill) that serve the system.
At PDAC 2007 John Robbins, AREVA
Resources, presented results from Devico’s

œ«ÞÀˆ}…ÌÊ^ÊÓääÇÊ
̏>ÃÊ
œ«VœÊÀˆˆ˜}Ê-œṎœ˜ÃʘV°
technology application at the Shea Creek

24 International Mining MAY 2007

SURFACE 24/4/07 4:32 pm Page 8

SURFACE DRILLING

At the moment Boliden (Kristineberg mine),

Guyana Gold (Aurora), AGC Minas de Portugal
DCD (Devico) boreholes cost Unipessoal (Neves Corvo mine), Altius
Resources (Rambler) and Lundin have reported
great savings as result of using Devico’s
technology. IM

Do you need to keep up with the latest

Estimated mono-borehole cost
mining project news?

Subscribe to

International Mining Project News and

save hours of collating news items

12

3
14
15
1
14-

16
14-

17

1
14-
14-

and reports.
2

3
15-
14-

4
E-1

14-

15-

5
15-
E-1

6
15-
E-1

15-
E-1

7
15-

8
E-1
E-1

9
15-
E-1

E-1
SH

E-1

0
15-
SH

15-
E-1

1
E-1

2
SH

1
SH

E-1

3
18-
SH
SH

18-
15-
E-1
SH

SH

E-1

18-
SH

E-1
SH

Contact Emma Joseph for more

SH
SH

E-1

E-1
E-1
SH

E-1
SH

SH

information, on +44 (0)1442 870829

SH

SH
SH

SH
emma@im-mining.com

project in Saskatchewan, Canada. The average

cost savings reported were 62%(see chart).
Along with cost savings, other important
advantages of the DCD technology are:
● Better quantity of the geological information
obtained (reaching targets within closer
tolerances)
● Reduced drilling programmes (less transport
drilling) and reduced project time
● Better rate of penetration compared to the
other methods
● Use less drill sites to achieve the planned
penetrations of the orebody and less
environmental impact (drill sites, access roads,
vast pits, rock cuttings depots, etc.)
● Easier logistics and no need for additional
drill string, powerful mud pumps, additional
mud volumes and circulation system, and
special drill bits as in bottom hole motor drilling.

DeviDrill applications with multilateral boreholes.

(Courtesy Areva Resources)

MAY 2007 International Mining 25