Major South African mining companies are excited about a greener and more efficient drilling system. New environmentally friendly drilling technology, available immediately from Peterstow Aquapower, can revolutionise the South African gold and platinum mines that currently use compressed air drills, with two leading mining houses already planning to introduce it to their mines. This technology could even reverse the decline in South African gold production.

Peterstow Aquapower has developed a new water-powered drilling system which could save mining companies millions of dollars in capital and operational costs, whilst dramatically reducing the industry’s environmental impact. Pumping water and energy down deep South African mines, and removing and disposing of it, is one of the costs that have made some mines struggle to stay profitable.

Peterstow’s new drilling system for hard rock, deep mining uses less than 0.01% of the energy required by some existing systems and 60% less water. In addition to dramatic cost savings, it will help the companies respond to increasing regulatory and political pressure to improve energy efficiency.

The system also cuts capital cost by eliminating the need for much of the underground infrastructure needed for traditional hard rock drilling processes, such as compressed air reticulation columns and high strength water piping.

The system uses Peterstow’s patented closed-loop water hydraulic technology and modular power packs. The closed-loop design dramatically cuts water usage and ensures a more efficient transfer of power to the drill with greater reliability than existing technologies. It reduces water wastage and flooding which allows for the reduction of pumping facilities, opening up additional opportunities for savings.

The technology represents the life’s work of entrepreneurs Douglas and Alan Barrows.  Douglas said: “We believe this is the single most important piece of technology to hit the mining industry in 50 years. The interest we have received already reflects how important this will be for the industry.”

IM met with Ian Cockerill, former CEO of Gold Fields and an advisor to Peterstow, last week. He commented: “This is a breakthrough technology which can give a huge leap in productivity. This kind of innovation means mines can still operate while reducing their power requirements, and at the same time get a much more efficient drill, which gives you more operating time at the face.

“From work done to date, it appears there is a real financial case to change from the high-pressure water columns driving conventional drills to Peterstow’s remote operated closed loop water hydraulic system. Mines are going to come under huge pressure as significant consumers of power. But big business like mining has the capability to put in place a game changing technology, and this is a game changing technology,” Cockerill said.

The specific benefits of Peterstow technology include:

• The water consumption of Peterstow drills is around 2 t of water per tonne of ore extracted. Existing hydraulic technology uses 5-6 t of water per tonne of ore. Peterstow has calculated that for every 1,000 of its drills used, the water required by the South African mining industry can be reduced by over 20 Mt/y
• It also calculates that 500 Peterstow drills would use 22,500 kWh of energy in a month, based on a six-hour daily drilling period, compared to pneumatic drills, which can use 3 million kWh
• Capital costs per 1,000 Peterstow drills are around $18.5 million, compared to $40.17 million for the equivalent in pneumatic drills, including necessary infrastructure
• These drills improve working conditions by reducing dust, noxious fumes and noise pollution, whilst virtually eliminating the risk of electrocution and oil leaks. This provides greater health and safety for workers, and reduces fire and electrical hazards
• The core technology also has potential for further applications, including mounting on carriers for drill jumbos.

A full article in International Mining’s January issue will examine this innovation in more detail.