Tag Archives: down-the-hole

Epiroc reinforces down-the-hole drill bits with new productivity tools

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , ,

The launch of Epiroc DTH drill bits, Epiroc says, signals a new era for down-the-hole drilling, with increased productivity and profitability.

Thanks to a new design and the use of the new Epiroc carbide, these drill bits will last up to 20% longer compared with an older version of the company’s drill bits, according to the company.

An all-new face design results in optimised flushing and handling of drill cuttings, while the addition of more buttons on the drill bits increases the overall energy when drilling, Epiroc says.

There are also three different button shapes to choose from to tackle different drilling needs and types of rock: Epiroc Trubbnos, spherical and ballistic buttons.

On top of the new carbide inclusion, these DTH drill bits are produced with improved heat treatment and increased face hardness, resulting in a more durable, sturdier and robust bit, with increased service life, it added.

Fredrik Gransell, Global Product Portfolio Manager at Epiroc Rock Drilling Tools, said: “If we add up the new design features and the improved materials usage, it’s safe to say that Epiroc DTH drill bits will last up to 20% longer compared to an older version of our drill bits.”

Delaney Erickson, Global Product Manager DTH at Epiroc Rock Drilling Tools, added: “You can expect more drilled metres per shift from high-performing Epiroc bits, which is good for both your revenue and profitability.”

Longer service life also means fewer interruptions and more undisturbed drilling, one of the most sought-after improvements, Epiroc says. “Put simply, with less time spent lifting and changing heavy bits, workdays will not just be more productive, they will be more convenient too,” the company added.

Finally, Epiroc DTH drill bits reduce the customers’ footprints as they can drill more and still use fewer bits. As a result, less energy and raw materials are used to produce bits, with less waste and associated transportation.

Varel becomes Terelion as it refocuses on mining sector

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Varel Mining and Industrial is changing its name to Terelion, as the drilling company looks to focus solely on the mining sector.

The new brand will continue to design, manufacture, and deliver quality drill bits and complementary products for its blasthole drilling clients around the world, it said. Terelion is headquartered in Carrolton, Texas, USA, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sandvik Group.

“With the recent sale of their oil and gas division, Terelion has developed a new business strategy allowing them to focus solely on the mining industry,” the company said. “While rotary drill bits and down-the-hole products for surface mining will be the core part of their business, drill bits for water well, construction, and other industrial applications will also be included in the Terelion portfolio.”

Terelion’s President, David Harrington, said: “Terelion will continue to build on the proud heritage of the Varel brand. Refining our product line allows us to strengthen our R&D and marketing efforts, while continuing to supply world-class products and services for our mining customers.”

With an established presence in all the major surface mining markets around the world, the company is already well placed to serve its global customer base, it said. The company said it is looking forward to a phase of dynamic expansion, innovation and collaboration with stakeholders.

Robit top hammer and DTH consumables to go to Uzbekistan’s NMMC

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Robit says it has signed a contract with its partner to supply drilling consumables to several mine sites in Uzbekistan, including those operated by state-owned Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combinat (NMMC).

The Robit Top Hammer and Down the Hole drilling consumables will be delivered during 2020 in several shipments, according to the company. The news follows a recent contract award to supply drilling tools to Norilsk Nickel, in Norilsk, Russia.

The consumables will be used among others by NMMC in its underground and surface mines in the Navoi and Samarkand regions of Uzbekistan.

NMMC’s underground operations include Zarmitan, Gujumsay as well as Karakutan. Its notable open-pit mines include Muruntau (one of the largest open pit gold mines in the world, pictured), Uchkuduk and Amantai. It is a significant gold and uranium miner in Uzbekistan.

Cat DTH hammers and bits up the ante in blasthole drilling

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Caterpillar has introduced its first Cat® down-the-hole (DTH) hammer and bits for blasthole drilling as it looks to speed up penetration rates and reduce drilling costs in difficult conditions.

The new Cat DTH Hammer is 152 mm (6 in) in diameter and is the first to be introduced in the new DTH line. Its valved design provides reliable operation, low air consumption, easier maintenance and cost effective rebuild, according to the company. The piston design, meanwhile, delivers long life and efficient energy transfer.

The new hammer is rated to run with compressed air systems driving working pressures up to 34.5 bar (500 psi). Cat explained: “This additional back-head pressure, when combined with corresponding airflow demanded, generates more blows-per-minute to generate faster penetration rates in the hardest of materials.”

Caterpillar also is introducing bits for DTH drilling. Several different configurations of 171 mm (6.75 in) bits are now available in both standard and heavy-duty versions to allow matching the bit to the rock characteristics and job requirements. The bit selections include a variety of carbide shapes (spherical, ballistic) and face shapes (concave, flat, convex).

“Cat Bits are optimised for high wear resistance and improved rock chipping,” the company says. “The aggressive, long-lasting cutting structure in conjunction with the efficient Cat DTH Hammer delivers a superior rate of penetration.”

Caterpillar’s advanced materials and heat treatment technology used in the DTH products yield longer life and result in lower overall drilling costs in demanding conditions, it says. In head-to-head tests conducted in iron ore and quarry applications, Cat says its hammers and bits demonstrated significantly lower total cost of drilling.

Epiroc ups the surface drilling ante with PowerROC D60

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Epiroc says its new PowerROC D60 is able to drill the largest holes in the PowerROC family thanks to a design offering high pressure operation as well as an increased penetration rate.

Wei Wen Xu, Product Company Business Line Manager at Epiroc, said: “PowerROC D60 has been working in the field for some time and has already delivered great results. This rig will definitely bring a lot of value to our customers.”

The PowerROC D60 offers a high level of productivity when it comes to drilling large holes ranging from 110 mm to 178 mm, according to Epiroc. On top of this, the 5+1 Rod Handling System makes it possible to drill holes down to a depth of 30 m. “Well-proven Epiroc technology ensure good quality and straightness of the hole,” the company said.

Features such as a pilot hydraulic system and straightforward electronic system make PowerROC D60 both easy to operate and easy to service, according to the company, with the rotary unit ensuring the rig can operate reliably in all types of rock conditions. In addition, a dust collection system ensures the work environment is kept clean and safe, protecting both machine and personnel.

“The PowerROC D60 hydraulic down-the-hole drill rig is safe, powerful and helps you increase your production capability,” Epiroc said. Matching this with the rig’s ease of maintenance and repair, ensures high availability and productivity, according to the company.

Wei Wen Xu said: “The PowerROC D60 rig performance will show that this is a very strong, competitive product for mining and quarrying. I’m convinced that this this rig will meet our customers high expectations – which is already confirmed with recent success in Russia.”

The Tier 3 version of the PowerROC D60 is available now. The Tier 4 Final version will be available in North America, Japan and Korea from July.

Epiroc’s new hammers to ‘dramatically change profitability in DTH drilling’

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Epiroc says its new COP M series of flexible down-the-hole (DTH) hammers is easily adapted for use on different rigs and in different drilling conditions – and set to boost productivity for mining companies.

Mining companies seek to minimise the cost of drilling holes by opting for fewer and larger holes to reduce the total number of drill meters, and increase efficiency and profitability, according to Epiroc.

“It’s about ensuring maximum utilisation of the rig and keeping it operational with minimum interruption,” said Davood Mohammadi Balan, Percussive Service Manager at Epiroc.

However, traditional DTH hammers involve repeated consumable replacements and a large inventory. Shifting to a new hammer for each rig type or drilling condition is costly to mining companies.

The new COP M hammers from Epiroc will dramatically change profitability in DTH drilling thanks to their innovative flexibility, according to the company.

“These new hammers are a step towards a change in operational flexibility by being easily adapted to different rig types and drilling conditions,” Balan said.

Each hammer in the new range can be used on a wide range of DTH drill rigs thanks to a conversion kit located inside the hammer.

Fredrik Gransell, Product Line Manager, DTH, Epiroc, said: “By adapting the hammer to a specific rig, the rate of penetration (ROP) is optimised.”

Together, the new products, COP M6, COP M7 and COP M8 – where M stands for mining and the number for the tool’s dimension – optimally cover drilling needs in the 6.5-10 in dimension range.

Gransell added: “The new COP M series adds the flexibility of selecting the right tool for any given situation. It’s a revolutionary innovation in DTH drilling.”

“At a small investment, mining companies can tap into top-quality technology from the leading provider – and boost profitability to a whole new level,” concluded Balan.

Still within the COP M Series, but for smaller diameter holes, Epiroc also used the recent Bauma fair in Munich, Germany, to showcase its new COP M4 DTH hammer for soft-rock applications.

The DTH hammer offers mining and construction companies the highest durability for both hammer and bit – with maintained ROP, the company said.

As the name implies, the hammer’s dimension is 4 in, making it useful for most soft-rock blast holes.

Besides offering a high ROP, the COP M4 is operating gently on the bit, reducing fatigue, which adds further to its favourable total cost of ownership (TCO), Epiroc said. E-kitting is a way to further improve TCO without sacrificing productivity, the company said.

“We managed to reach the perfect balance between frequency and impact energy, which means the new hammer breaks the rock optimally – without hitting it too hard,” Gransell said.

Other benefits include a smoother and more reliable drilling process, without the hammer getting jammed in the rock, as well as low fuel consumption, Epiroc said.

It is also easy to adjust the hammer for use in different ground conditions by replacing one or two components inside the hammer.

The COP M4 is made of only eight components, meaning it is easy to assemble and disassemble. In addition, it is shorter and lighter than conventional hammers in the market, which makes it easy to handle for drill operators and their service crews, Epiroc said.

To offer best value, Epiroc is also planning to launch a new bit, specially designed for soft-rock DTH drilling.

“Launching a complete DTH solution that combines COP M4 and our upcoming soft rock bit, we’re expecting to redefine productivity and reliability in DTH soft rock drilling,” Gransell said.