Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Raiseboring
in Mining and Construction
2008
www.atlascopco.com
Contents
Foreword
2 Foreword by Marcus Eklind, Product Line Manager,
Raiseboring, Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
Talking technically
3 Rock drillability
7 History of raiseboring
10 The raiseboring concept
13 The raiseboring machine
20 Computer based training for raiseboring
22 Horizontal and low angle boring
25 Development of boxhole boring
29 Down reaming
33 Modern boxhole boring with BorPak
36 Selection of raiseborer drive system
38 Computers improve rock excavation productivity
40 Site preparation
47 Operating the raiseborer
51 Bailing considerations
56 Cutter and reamer design
64 Raiseboring drillstring components
Case studies
67 Boxhole boring at El Teniente
73 Raiseboring for production at McArthur River
78 Replacing Norways Tyin hydropower plant
Product specifications
82
91
96
99
101
102
103
104
108
Produced by Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB, SE-701 91 rebro, Sweden, tel +46 19 670 70 00, fax 019-670 73 93.
Publisher: Marcus Eklind, marcus.eklind@se.atlascopco.com Production Manager: Elisabeth Nilsson, elisabeth.nilsson@se.atlascopco.com
Editor: Mike Smith, mike@tunnelbuilder.com Senior Adviser: Hans Fernberg, hans.fernberg@se.atlascopco.com
Contributors: Bjrn Samuelsson, Jan Forsberg, Johnny Lyly, Mikael Bergman, Rikard Erlandsson, Roberto Lopez, Sverker Hartwig
all name.surname@se.atlascopco.com, Steve Brooke, steve.brooke@us.atlascopco.com
Digital copies of all Atlas Copco reference editions can be ordered from the publisher, address above, or online at www.atlascopco.com/rock.
Reproduction of individual articles only by agreement with the publisher.
Edited by Mike Smith, tunnelbuilder ltd, United Kingdom. Designed and typeset by ahrt, rebro, Sweden. Printed by Welins Tryckeri AB, rebro, Sweden.
Legal notice
Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB, rebro, Sweden. All product names in this publication are trademarks of Atlas Copco.
Any unauthorized use or copying of the contents or any part thereof is prohibited. This applies in particular to trademarks, model denominations,
part numbers and drawings. Information in this publication is provided as is. Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB disclaims any representation or warranties
of any kind including without limitation warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement or content. In no event
will Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB be liable to any party or any damages for any use of this publication. The contents, including illustrations and photos,
in this publication may describe or show equipment with optional extras. It may also contain references to products or services that are not available
in your country. This publication, as well as specifications and equipment, is subject to change without notice. Consult your Atlas Copco Customer
Center for specific information.
raISEBORING
Foreword
Ageneration ago, excavating raises was hard and dangerous
manual work, carried out by only the most experienced miners.
Mines needed ore passes and ventilation raises, and there
was only one way to excavate them, using drill/blast. When
James Robbins built the prototype Robbins 41R raise drill in
1962, it was the beginning of a new era. Boring of raises was
far more attractive than traditional methods. It was faster,
cleaner, and, above all, took the operators out of the raises
and placed them in accessible, well ventilated, and safe
positions.
Marcus Eklind
Product Line Manager, Raiseboring
Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
marcus.eklind@se.atlascopco.com
raISEBORING
Talking Technically
Rock drillability
Fracturing rock
Drillability is the ability to fracture or drill rock using mechanical
means, and is governed by a number of factors. Some of these are
related to the rock formation, and
others to the forces applied, and
the geometry of the drilling equipment. Rock properties, rock failure mechanisms, and drilling parameters all relate to drillability, and
are helpful in evaluating drilling
efficiency, trouble shooting problems, and estimating cutter performance.
General rock boring principles
and their practical application are
the basis of modern raiseboring.
Two basic principles are used together in full face boring - these
are cratering and kerf breaking.
The objective when boring is to
crush the rock until tensile cracking occurs, causing chips to break
away. The art is in the design of
the cutters and the pressure with
which they are kept in contact
with the rock. This is where experience counts, and nobody has
more knowledge about raise boring than Atlas Copco Robbins.
Zone of triaxial
crushing
Radial
cracks
Rock properties
Data on unconfined compressive strength
(UCS) is the most commonly available
rock property. However, it is difficult to
use UCS to predict drilling performance without additional information.
The average UCS for selected formations is shown in Table 1 (next page).
One simple method to determine the
approximate hardness of a formation is
the Moh scale, if UCS information is
unavailable. The Moh scale is used to
classify the relative hardness between
different minerals. Diamond is at the top
of the hardness scale, rating a 10, and
talc is at the opposite end, rating a 1.
In general, the minerals at the high end
of the scale are harder than those on the
low end of the scale. Scratch testing can
be used to estimate the hardness: a fingernail can scratch up to about 2 Mohs,
a copper coin up to about 3 Mohs, and
raISEBORING
Rock failure
The primary failure mode employed by
the rotary drilling method is the tensile
failure of the rock under a compressive
load to form rock chips. In weaker,
more ductile formations this primary
method of failure may be replaced or
augmented by the gouging and scraping
action of the cutter. Studies have shown
that the action of the cutting element is
progressive, as shown in Figure 1.
As force is applied to the cutting
element, the cutter deforms the rock.
As the force increases, a pressure bulb
3
Talking Technically
Formation
UCS (Psi)
Mpa
Formation
UCS (Psi)
Mpa
Berea Sandstone
2,500
17
Limestone
20,000
138
Austin Chalk
3,000
21
Marble
20,000
138
Sandstone
9,000
62
Dolomite
24,000
165
Quartzitic Sandstone
9,000
62
Porphyry
40,000
276
Shale
15,000
104
Pink Quartzite
68,000
469
Cutting structures
Atlas Copco uses three types of cutting
structure geometry for raiseboring applications: kerfed carbide insert cutters;
rowed cutters; and randomly-placed carbide insert cutters.
Table 2: Moh hardness numbers for selected common minerals and rock.
Mineral or Rock
Moh Hardness
Mineral or Rock
Moh Hardness
Amphibolite
6.2
Gypsum
1.5
Andalucite
7.5
Limestone
3.3
Andesite
7.2
Magnesite
3.5
Basalt
7.0
Magnetite
4.2
Bituminous Coal
2.5
Marble
3.0
Chert
6.5
Potash
2.2
Cryolite
2.5
Pyrite
6.2
Diabase
7.8
Quartz
7.0
Diamond
10.0
Quartzite
7.0
Dolomite
3.7
Ryolite
7.2
Emery
8.3
Salt
2.5
Feldspar
6.2
Sandstone
3.8
Gabbro
5.4
Slate
3.1
Gneiss
5.2
Soapstone
1.0
Granite
4.2
Sulphur
2.0
Graphite
1.0
Zircon
7.5
raISEBORING
Talking Technically
Rock chip
a fairly dense axial coverage in a complete revolution of the cutter. This design
has shown significant increases in drilling rates, while reducing drilling torque,
which has proven beneficial for situations where the length of the raise, and
the formation characteristics, have proven equal or greater than a machines
capabilities. The random insert cutter
tends to spall out circular chips of approximately 1.5 in-diameter or smaller.
An example of the random insert
pattern produced on the rock face is
shown in Figure 3. Multiple passes of
the cutter can provide a wide range of
insert spacing on the formation. Rock
failure occurs when sufficient passes
have been made to achieve the shear
failure between insert pressure bulbs,
as illustrated in Figure 4.
An additional benefit of the random
insert location is a reduction in the phenomenon known as tracking. Tracking
occurs when the insert slips into an existing pressure bulb crater created by
the last pass of the cutter. Tracking can
wear the edge of the insert prematurely
and result in shear failure of the carbide,
thereby reducing the penetration rate
over time. Tracking can also be reduced
in non-random cutters through varying
raISEBORING
Drilling parameters
Three drilling parameters have a significant effect on performance. These are
cuttings removal, force on the cutter,
and rotary speed. A fourth parameter,
drilling torque, is also of interest, since
it sets limits on the other operating parameters.
Cuttings removal can have a significant effect in down reaming operations, since cuttings on the bottom of
the hole are being reground and limit
the effectiveness of the cutting process.
Extended nozzles directed towards the
wall of the hole can help sweep the
cuttings towards the pilot hole. The profile of the cutting structure in conjunction with the angle being drilled can
also aid or deter the cuttings removal.
For raise drilling, cuttings fall away from
the drilling face, so their removal is not
Talking Technically
n = 1.8
n = 1.6
n = 1.4
n = 1.2
1
0
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
UCS
Steve Brooke
Kerf breaking
Kerf breaking occurs when radiating
cracks beneath the cutter edge reach
an adjacent kerf and form a chip between the two cutter kerfs. Kerf breaking is applied to the entire rock face
by a reamer dressed with either single
row disc cutters or multi-row button
cutters. These are mounted on the reamer at spaced intervals outward from
its centre. As it rotates and is thrust
forward into the rock face, the cutters
roll against the surface of the rock and
crush kerfs in concentric paths. Once
the critical depth of penetration to spacing ratio is reached for the particular
rock type being bored, chipping occurs
between the kerfs, and the rock face
can be systematically excavated.
raISEBORING
Talking Technically
History of raiseboring
Forty five years on
It is now 45 years since Atlas Copco Robbins built the worlds first
successful raiseboring machine,
and launched a worldwide revolution in underground mining and
construction that is still gaining
momentum.
New products, concepts and
techniques, such as automation,
computerization and horizontal
reaming are creating exciting new
opportunities for the user underground.
The latest innovation is the application of Atlas Copcos CAN-bus
control technology to raiseborers,
using components that are common to other new generation products such as Rocket Boomer and
Simba drill rigs that may already
be at work on the mine.
In this way, mechanization for
one-man operation is facilitated
without having large inventories
of spares, and with very short learning curves for all concerned.
Market share
The history of raiseboring is really
the history of Robbins raise drills. As
the industry pioneer, the company has
manufactured 350 raise drills of the
approximate 600 that have been produced in total to date, giving it a +60%
market share.
In all, some 35 models have been
introduced, with reaming diameters of
0.6 m to 6.0 m.
Of the models produced, the 73RM
is the most sold, with a reaming diameter
of 1.8 m-3.1 m.
Nearly all of these Robbins raise
drills are still available for work. So,
despite always requiring high capital
investment, raise drills have given an
exceptional return to their owners while
retaining solid residual value. This sums
up the raiseboring story.
Apart from mechanizing the singularly most dangerous job in mining,
these machines have proved to be a
wise investment all round.
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Improved methodology
Since Robbins introduced to the mining industry the first machine built
exclusively for raiseboring, the advantages over older methods have become
increasingly evident.
Foremost among these is safety, as
workers are not required to be in the
raise during the excavation process. The
inherent dangers of rock falls, fumes,
and the handling of explosives are
eliminated.
The second advantage is speed of
operation. Even early on, Robbins raise
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Acquisitions
In the late 1970s, Robbins bought
Ingersoll Rands raiseborer division,
with its well-regarded tungsten insert
cutters, which to this day are acknowledged as the best available. Robbins
immediately switched from Reed cutting tools to those of its own manufacture, and has since supplied them with
every raiseborer produced. Ingersoll
Rand had itself built some 30 raise boring machines prior to the takeover by
Robbins. Another acquisition by Robbins
was that of Drillco Texas when it was
under Chapter 11 administration.
In 1980, Atlas Copco bought the
Jarva Company, based in Solon, Ohio.
Four very advanced raiseboring machines were built in 1982-1983 as shown
raiseboring
Future trends
The current trend is towards computerization of the raiseboring operation
using Atlas Copcos patented Rig Control System (RCS). This is CAN-bus
based, with a single power cable
servicing all of the electric units, and
analog or digital switches controlling
the use of the electrical power. The
digital signal is superimposed on the
powerline, and a computer listens to
this, and sends out instructions in the
same manner. Two tiny wires have been
added to cope with the signalling, and
Marcus Eklind
9
Talking Technically
Raiseboring process
In raiseboring, the machine is set up at
the surface or upper level of the two
levels to be connected as shown in Figure 1. A small pilot hole is then drilled down to the lower level using a drill
bit attached to a series of cylindrical
drill pipe pieces, which form the drill
string. Upon completion of the pilot hole,
a reamer with a diameter larger than
the pilot hole is attached to the drill
string at the lower level. Using the reamer, the small pilot hole is reamed back
to the machine on the upper level. The
cuttings excavated by the reamer fall
to the lower level and are removed by
any convenient method.
Applications
Raiseboring machines have been used
in both mining and civil projects for
holes in the range 0.6-6.0 m-diameter
and up to 1,000 m-long. Some specific
applications of bored raises are:
Mining: materials transport; ventilation;
manriding; mineral production.
Civil: hydro penstocks and surge chambers; redirection and retrieval of hydro
water; petroleum, pressurized gas, and
nuclear waste storage; road and rail tunnel ventilation; stormwater storage and
drainage; access for pipes, hoses, and
cables; water inlets and outlets for fish
farms.
10
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Figure 3:
Boxhole boring.
Boxhole boring
Boxhole boring is used to excavate raises where there is limited or no access
to the upper level. Here, the machine
is set up at the lower level and a full
diameter raise is bored upward.
While boring upward, stabilizers are
periodically added to the drill string to
reduce oscillation and bending stresses.
The cuttings are carried by gravity down
the hole, and are def lected from the
machine and removed at the lower level.
Boxhole boring can be completed with
or without a pre-drilled pilot hole, as
shown in Figure 3.
Down reaming
Down reaming begins by drilling a
conventional pilot hole, and then enlarging it to the final raise diameter by
reaming from the upper level to the lower level as shown in Figure 5. Larger
raiseboring
11
Talking Technically
BorPak
The BorPak system is used for blind hole
boring. It comprises a guided boring
machine, a power unit, a launch tube/
transporter assembly, a conveyor, and an
operator's console. The BorPak operates
like a microtunnelling machine, climbing up the raise as it bores. Cuttings pass
through the centre of the machine, falling down the raise and launch tube
onto a conveyor. This revolutionary machine has the potential to bore from 3.9
to 6.6 ft (1.2 - 2.0 m) diameter holes
at angles as low as 30 degrees. Like a
raiseboring machine, the BorPak offers
high speed drilling, but eliminates the
need for a drill string. It also provides the steering flexibility of a raise
climber. BorPak is especially attractive
when flexibility and mobility are at
a premium, or when the job requires
drilling a series of short raises.
Figure 4: Blind shaft boring.
12
Roberto Lopez
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Derrick assembly
The derrick assembly supplies the rotational and thrust forces necessary to
turn the pilot bit and reamer as well as
to raise and lower the drill string. This
assembly consists of several major components. These are: base plates; mainframe; columns; headframe; hydraulic
cylinders; and drive train assembly.
Base plates
The base plates, left-hand and righthand, provide the structure for supporting the weight of the derrick assembly
as well as for positively transferring the
forces required for raiseboring into the
derrick mounting system.
The base plates are normally set on
a level concrete foundation pad and anchored by rock bolts passing through
the pad into the rock formation below.
In some instances, the base plates are
mounted to a steel beam system, which
in turn is secured to concrete foundation pads and the rock formation.
Mainframe
The mainframe is the major load bearing structure of the derrick assembly.
It is mounted and secured on the base
plates with removable turnbuckles and
expansion pins. Each turnbuckle consists of two threaded eyes screwed into
a turnbuckle body. The turnbuckles
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Main Drive
DC
Hydraulic
AC
Crosshead
Headframe
Hydraulic cylinders
Drivehead
Gearbox
Columns
Hydraulic
cylinder
Mainframe
Machine
worktable
Turnbuckles
Expansion pins
Turnbuckles
Expansion pins
Baseplates
Columns
Hydraulic cylinders
Chrome plated cylindrical columns provide torque transfer from the drive train
assembly into the mainframe. These columns are connected at their bottom to
the mainframe, and at their top to the
headframe. They pass through machined
bushings in the crosshead, and guide
the crosshead as it travels up and down.
Headframe
14
Crosshead
The crosshead is a moving platform to
which the main drive motor system and
gearbox are mounted.
Driven by the hydraulic cylinders and
guided by the columns, the crosshead
raises and lowers the drill string and
transfers torsional forces into the raiseborer columns.
Most Atlas Copco Robbins raise boring systems utilize the crosshead as a
reservoir for the gearbox lubrication oil.
Other lubrication system components,
such as the lubrication motor and pump,
can also be housed in the crosshead.
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Drivehead
capscrew
Splined
connection
Axial
float
Floating box with
patented spherical
design and replaceable
threaded insert
Swiveling
action
Gearbox
The gearbox mounts directly to the main
drive motors at its input end, and reduces motor input speed to a speed
compatible with raiseboring at its output end.
Most gearboxes use a planetary reduction system. This shares the load
among three planetary gears, reducing
the diameters of the individual gears
required, and allowing a more compact
drive train assembly.
Gearbox reductions must include ratios capable of providing high torque
and low speed for raise reaming, and
high speed and low torque for pilot hole
drilling. It is not uncommon to have a
multi-speed gearbox with a variable
speed motor.
The output end of the gearbox is
attached by a splined connection to the
floating box, which connects it to the
raiseboring
15
Talking Technically
The floating box can be housed internally within the gearbox, or mounted
to the output end of the gearbox as a
separate component. When mounted separately from the gearbox, the assembly
housing the floating box is referred to as
the drivehead.
The drivehead is connected to the
output end of the gearbox by spindle
bolts or a single threaded capscrew. If
a single capscrew is employed for this
connection, drivehead installation/removal tools are required when installing or removing the drivehead from
the gearbox.
The hydraulic system supplies hydraulic power for raiseboring. This assembly
comprises the hydraulic power unit and
all interconnecting hose assemblies.
The hydraulic power unit is on a
skid-mounted structure containing a hydraulic reservoir. These are used as mounting platforms for the majority of the
components making up the hydraulic
system. Included in these components
are the motors and pumps used to power the hydraulic system along with
various valves, filters, and manifolds.
Lifting eyes are provided on the
hydraulic power unit for hoisting and
positioning.
Design of individual hydraulic system assemblies varies according to the
type and size of machine. The service
manual should be consulted for specific hydraulic system setup, operation,
and maintenance procedures.
Lubrication system
The lubrication system assembly ensures proper delivery of lubricating oil
to the high-speed bearings and other
selected components of the drive train
assembly gearbox. This assembly is
commonly made up of the lubricating
oil reservoir, with level gauge, thermometer, and breather; pump drive motor;
and lubricating oil pump, filter, heat
exchanger, and flow meter.
Most Atlas Copco Robbins raise boring machines employ the crosshead of
the drive train assembly as the lubrication reservoir, and as the housing for
the lubrication pump drive motor and
16
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Electrical system
The electrical system assembly comprises the electrical power unit and all
electrical power and control cables.
The electrical power unit consists of an
enclosed cabinet containing the power
and control distribution hardware and
circuitry for the entire raiseboring system. Lifting eyes are provided on this
cabinet for hoisting and positioning.
Power and control cables are included in the electrical system assembly.
Most of these cables are of the quickcoupler type, with all the plugs and
raiseboring
Control console
The modern rig control system from
Atlas Copco features a Control Area Network (CAN) for digital communication
between all modules connected to the
Bus wire.
The entire system features various
I/O (In/Out) modules for communication with all machine sensors and
Jan Forsberg
17
Talking Technically
18
Crawler transporter
Some ten 20 ft containers were used for transportation
of the equipment to site.
The rig was mounted on an air powered crawler transporter capable of 1.5 km/h and positioned on a speciallydesigned steel frame over a 10 m-deep concrete lined
pre-sink of 4.5 m-diameter. All drill tubes were inspected
with a magnetic particle inspection kit before the project
started.
One month of boring
Skanska had three operators and one supervisor on site.
Set up took seven days, and take down five days. Drill
pipe was high strength, with 10 in outside diameter in 5
ft lengths. Thread lubrication was Best o Life 3010 from
Dallas, Texas, US. Pipe changes took 5-6 minutes, using
a side loading pipeloader and crane.
Boring took place over a 31-day period, during which
average penetration rate was more than 22 m/day. The
2.44 m (8 ft) reamer was dressed with 14 cutters, 7 fourrow and 7 five-row. The raiseborer developed thrust of
100 - 280 t, the equivalent of 7-20 t on each cutter, with
a torque of 350 and 7-8 rev/min. The drillstring was
stabilized using a stinger and two 13.625-in stabilizers,
and no cutter changes were necessary during the boring
operation.
Satisfied customer
The machine gave close to 100% mechanical availability,
delivering the raise in half the expected time, allowing
ventilation the equipment to be installed earlier than
expected.
The mine had to bring forward extra resources for
mucking, in order to keep pace with the raise drilling.
There were no accidents or incidents, and no reportable
environmental impacts, such as oil leakage, and the customer expressed satisfaction with the project.
raiseboring
Talking Technically
raiseboring
and pilot hole drilling in the 0 30 rev/min range. At constant power, reaming is performed in the 8 16 rev/min
range (50 100 Hz), and drilling in the 30 60 rev/min
range, where the torque drops as the speed increases.
Overcoming geology
The ability to vary the reamer head speed is particularly
beneficial for operation under widely varying geological
conditions, whether working in hard or soft rock, or solid to
fractured.
Also, the reaming head speed can readily be adapted
to various reaming head diameters.
Variable speed control was previously achieved by
either a hydraulic or DC electrical motor drive. The
advantages of the Atlas Copco Robbins AC drive, which
is fully torque vector controlled, are superior efficiency,
reliability and reduced operational costs.
In all, the final outcome is higher productivity and
better cutter economy.
19
Talking Technically
Expert knowledge
Main menu. This is the first picture shown when you start the CBT. From this main
menu you can choose which of the courses you would like to enter.
Course menu. View picture for the course Raiseboring. Under the text Introduction you find two
buttons, Learning objectives will explain what you are expected to learn. Introduction will give
you an overview by running pictures and a speaker talking. Under Lessons you choose chapters.
20
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Chapter. In this section you choose the lesson you want. In the lower right
corner you find four buttons. X will finish the actual step. Number two will
take you back one step. The third button allows you to scroll through the course.
Step player. When pressing the step player button you will find film
sequences or animations. At the end of every lesson you can also go through
a test, Focus test, to check your knowledge.
Product selection exercises. At the end you also have the possibility
to go through some real exercises, where you will have the background for a
specific rock excavation and from that choose the suitable equipment to do the job.
Complete training
The whole Secoroc CBT Rock Drilling
Tools package comprises approximately
50 hours of lessons and tests. With a
recommended maximum of four hours
of lectures per day, the total length of a
complete training course on rock drilling tools can be estimated at three
weeks.
CBT enables efficient training whenever the need arises. For instance, a new
raiseboring
Secoroc has found good market acceptance of version 3.0, which has been advising key customers and technical
schools on its use, as well as its own
sales team.
The new version of CBT 4.0 is expected to even further contribute to
the added value in Atlas Copco Secoroc
sales service, inproving profitability
and competitiveness for all involved in
raiseboring and rock drilling.
Bjrn Samuelsson
21
Talking Technically
Modifications
There are many different applications
that require horizontal or low angle
drifts. Raiseboring is a non-explosive
method, so the vibration effect on surrounding rock, and on buildings close
to the drill site, are kept to a minimum.
Hydropower projects, urban sewerage
22
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Horizontal piloting
The weight of the drill string causes deviation of the pilot hole in a horizontal application, so great care has to be
taken throughout the piloting sequence.
If the thrust is too high on the pilot bit,
it will divert the pilot hole upward. If
too low, it will divert the pilot hole
downward.
Stabilizers installed along the pilot
hole will counteract some of the drill
string weight, as will a balanced amount
of bailing medium, although too little
bailing may cause the drill string to
stick.
The accuracy of the pilot hole is
most affected by the machine set-up
and collaring, for which an experienced
operator is a necessity. An accurate, but
more expensive and time consuming,
approach to a horizontal pilot hole is
to drill it in three stages. First, a guided
coredrilling machine drills an accurate
small-diameter hole. This is reamed
by DTH to pilot hole size, following
23
Talking Technically
Venda Nova
Dam worksite
Mikael Bergman
Secoroc RRL 3.5 m reamer as supplied to
Venda Nova in Portugal.
24
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Figure 1: The Robbins 34R raiseboring machine was the predecessor to the versatile Robbins 34R.
Talking Technically
Figure 2: The Robbins 34RH raiseboring machine has demonstrated its versatility at projects around the world for more than 25 years.
From raiseboring to
boxholing
The advantages of raiseboring are: more
economical and much faster advance
rates than drill/blast; more stable excavation and considerably safer and better
work environment; smooth wall needing 300% less power for air ventilation;
cost/metre decreases as raise length
increases, allowing more flexibility in
mine design and planning; and a significant reduction in labour requirements.
Figure 3: Boxhole boring can be carried out with or without a predrilled pilot hole, or in a combination of both.
26
raiseboring
Talking Technically
rates of 2 m/hr to 2.5 m/hr with a 5 ftdiameter head, which in 25,000 psi
quartzites was considered excellent. As
a result, the Robbins 53R became popular in the South African gold fields. The
muck chute was improved, and further
work was done on stabilizers.
Talking Technically
Boxhole reaming
Initially, the reamer for boxhole boring
machines was installed overhead, a cumbersome procedure which also entailed
extra time and expense for the preparation of each drilling site.
Accordingly, it was decided to extend
the width and depth of the machine to
accommodate the reamer and stabilizers.
The drill pipe wrenching system was
integrated in the machines worktable,
and was split into two halves, so that hydraulic cylinders opened it wide enough
to allow the passage of the reamer. This
feature increases the footprint of the machine, but does not increase its height,
and produces a more functional system.
The remote controlled, hydraulically
operated slide-opening worktable enables the entire drill string, including
boxhole stabilizers and reamer, to pass
through the worktable of the machine.
Depending on model and frame width
of the 34RH-HT, reamers of diameters
from 692 mm to 1,060 mm can pass
through the worktable.
Over the years, Atlas Copco engineers have designed many reamers,
both standard and specialized. Concern
about the possibility of ground squeezing during boxhole boring was overcome by fitting a set of gauge housings
and cutters, which are installed on the
underside of the reamer. In the event of
the ground squeezing during boring
operations, the RCC Duro cutters would
cut their way out as the reamer is withdrawn from the completed boxhole.
All Robbins 34R units are designed
so that the machines full torque and
thrust are available in either the pushing or pulling mode. The 34RH-HT was
modified to use stronger 10 in (254 mm)
28
Figure 6: The remote controlled and hydraulically operated muck collector is fully integrated into the
derrick assembly, and remains on the machine even during transportation.
Muck collection
To prevent the cuttings from covering the
machine as they fall down the bored raise,
a muck collector is installed between
the bored hole and the machine.
Atlas Copco have designed a muck
collector that connects to the head frame
of the Robbins 34RH HT, with extension bars that can be adjusted to raise
or lower the muck collector by pushing
it with the drive head.
The muck collector unit is fitted with
a rubber seal, which assists in containing muck and dust. This is designed in
two halves, to be opened by remotecontrolled hydraulic cylinders for the
reamer and stabilizers to pass. It also features a cone-shaped seal to clamp around
the drill pipe to prevent muck and water
Roberto Lopez
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Down reaming
Increased safety
Down reaming is a type of raise
boring where a pilot hole is reamed from the machine to a lower
level. This can be done in one or
several steps to final diameter. The
cuttings are transported through
the pilot hole to a lower level. This
method is mainly used for smalldiameter slot-raises and backfill
drifts. Very occasionally the down
reaming method is used for large
diameter raises, usually in steps.
Down reaming is more complex
and more costly than raise reaming due to the necessity to stabilize the reamer and drill string
when reaming. Removing cuttings
from the face requires more effort
than a standard raisebored shaft.
Down reaming is mainly used
when the lower level is unsafe or
if access to the lower level is financially not viable. One advantage for the down reaming method is that all work is done at
machine level further increasing
safety over competing methods.
Figure 1: Part of the down reamer used on the San Giacomo project in Italy.
Pilot down
Ream down
29
Talking Technically
Raiseboring machines to
be used for down reaming
Most standard raiseboring machines
are equipped with a smaller bearing on
the pushing (pilot) side compared with
the main bearing on the pulling side
(reaming).
Exceptions are the Atlas Copco Robbins 34RH and 53RH Raiseborers.
These machines are designed for raise
reaming, down reaming and boxhole
boring.
Figure 3: Down reaming, large diameter.
30
Talking Technically
raiseboring
Regular programme
From the first test run three years ago, the Robbins
34RH has down reamed 3,700 m of slot-raises. The mines
regular programme is 3 to 4 slot raises a month. The
bench height is normally between 20 m and 45 m. The
slots are drilled on a slight angle from vertical.
The down reaming working sequence is as follows: clean
the drill site down to bare rock and pour a concrete
drill pad at the site; erect, anchor and align the machine
on the drill pad at the required angle; drill the 9 indiameter pilot hole to break through, and retract the
drill string; install the down reamer through the drill
table, and down ream the hole to break through; attach
rotating stabilizers to the wrench flats on the first rod
above the down reamer and on the wrench f lats of
every fifth rod; pull the drill string and down reamer
out of the hole, once the hole is complete; and move the
equipment to the next prepared drill site.
Viable alternative
Down reaming provides a viable alternative to conventional reaming when the lower level breakthrough site
access is restricted due to the mine planning sequence. At
Brunswick mine, as the advantages of the RDI 720 down
reamer were understood, a large number of the slot raises
that were scheduled for conventional reaming were switched to down reaming.
Unlike in conventional reaming, the complete downreaming operation can be handled at machine level, and
securing of the lower level is no longer necessary.
31
Talking Technically
RDI 720.
32
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Innovation at work
BorPak gets its name from the expandable packer unit that absorbs the torque
and thrust of the rotating cutterhead.
Cuttings gravitate down a guidance tube
and onto a conveyor. Operated from a
panel outside the raise, BorPak improves worker safety and lowers labour
costs. A hydraulic power system advances the cutterhead, and steering is continuous, using a laser as a guide. Safety
grippers prevent the unit from sliding
down the raise between strokes or in the
event of power failure.
Atlas Copco engineers will work
with clients to design BorPak to specific requirements of the job. The system can be fully automated, and is
capable of around-the-clock operation.
Site preparations are minimal, and no
concrete pad is needed. The launch
raiseboring
BorPak on site.
Boring unit
BorPak comprises two major assemblies: the boring unit; and the carrier
and launcher.
The boring unit has a cutterhead
at the front, or top. This is supported
by the body of the machine, with steering pads for directional control. The
packer anchors the main body in the
raise during boring, while the safety
grippers hold the boring unit when the
packer is not pressurized. The drive
train for cutterhead rotation is mounted
within the main body, and a cuttings
outlet is incorporated.
Also within the body are the thrust
cylinders, electrical and hydraulic circuits for powering and controlling the
33
Talking Technically
Talking Technically
Applications
The first 1.2 m-diameter BorPak was
put to work at a copper/nickel mine in
Canada, where it encountered 130 Mpa
ore and 310 Mpa granitic gneiss. The
machine was engaged on blind slot raises of lengths 6.4 m to 32.3 m at angles
from 65 degrees to 90 degrees. Over
the first 17 raises it achieved a typical
boring speed of 1.5 m/h after collaring, with a maximum of 4.8 m/h.
This machine featured four 380 mmdiameter single disc carbide insert cutters
raiseboring
Marcus Eklind
35
Talking Technically
AC drive
DC drive
The direct current DC drive motor system uses a variable speed shunt wound
DC motor. This type of motor is open
drip proof with mine duty construction.
It is used with a two-speed gearbox.
The DC drive system has been used
in all types of ground conditions and
on raises in excess of 20 ft (6 m) in
diameter. It has a simple design, lowest
cost, and highest reliability of the variable speed main drive systems. DC drive
has proven performance on larger raises
where low revs/min must be accompanied by high torque, and in areas of
broken ground where repeated reamer
stalling occurs. Because of the variable
rev/min and good torque limiting control, DC drive is best suited for larger
raise diameters in mixed ground conditions. Long manufacturing time and
high cost for specialized design motors
used for raiseboring are the trademark
of this option. Small control units, high
efficiency, and low heat generation are
the top options for the customer with
36
Hydraulic drive
The hydraulic drive motor system consists of one or more hydraulic motors
coupled to a multiple speed gearbox.
Hydraulic power is supplied to the hydraulic motors by one or more highpressure hydraulic pumps.
Hydraulic drive motor systems are
equipped with variable volume pumps
for infinite boring speed control. The
exact configuration of each hydraulic
drive motor system depends on the particular raiseboring machine. Latest design of higher efficiency motors, combined with the use of proportional displacement systems are the preferred
option for raiseboring machines. With
variable speed and good torque limiting control, hydraulic drive can be used
in all ground conditions and has high
reliability when normal hydraulic preventive maintenance systems are in
place, and heat generation, and space
raiseboring
Talking Technically
VF drive
The variable frequency VF drive motor
system combines some of the simplicity of the AC drive motor system with
exact motor speed, torque, and positioning control. The VF drive system was
developed in-house by Atlas Copco
Robbins.
The VF system circuitry controls the
exact speed, torque, and position of its
AC motor by first converting the incoming AC mine power to DC and then
converting it back to an AC signal.
The frequency and voltage of the AC
signal outgoing to the AC motor can
be adjusted, enabling precise speed, torque, and positioning control.
The VF drive motor system offers
several advantages over conventional
AC drive as follows:
1. Adjustment of motor speed and
torque, automatic motor braking
to prevent thread damage or over torque of drill string threaded
connections during connection
starting, and makeup.
2. System built-in diagnostics and
fault indications, simplifying motor
maintenance and troubleshooting.
3. Lower Costs. The VF system uses
less electrical energy than AC drive
systems because of its higher power
factor, requires normal mainte nance, and utilizes specially desig ned and manufactured main drive
AC motors.
4. Conversion of a standard AC drive
motor system to a VF system.
This conversion can transform an
older four-speed AC system into a
versatile state-of-the-ar t raise
borer.
Inherited into the VF drive technology is the considerable amount of space
required to handle heat dissipation.
Since standard types of AC motors are
not recommended for use in VF drives,
a new Atlas Copco Robbins specification AC motor should be installed
with every VF drive conversion.
raiseboring
Control console
Controls on the console assembly are
for both electrical and hydraulic functions. Drive train assembly controls
in-clude those for reversing rotation
and selecting drivehead speed.
Other electrical controls are provided
for rapid crosshead traverse, electrical
motor starting, and hydraulic cylinder
thrust pressure control. Hydraulic controls are provided for oil flow rate and
thrust pressure regulation. Controls for
an optional Pipeloader are commonly
housed in a portable pendant station
that is located at the control console
assembly.
Control consoles on more raise boring machines have meter readouts of
main drive motor amperes or main drive
motor pressure, depending on the type
of main drive motor, and drivehead revs/
min. Additionally, actual force applied
to the rock face by the pilot bit or reamer is displayed by use of a bit force
computer. Indicators for various hydraulic pressures are also displayed.
The latest now-available RCS control console assembly contains all the
controls and readouts necessary for raise
boring system operation. A modern compact rig control system from Atlas Copco
features a Control Area Network (CAN)
for digital communication between all
modules connected to the communication wire (bus). The entire system
features various I/O modules for communication with all sensors and meters
involved, and a master module for computing and processing of operational
data, as well as a display module for
presenting of calculated data (graphical
user interface). The new control system
is the proven Atlas Copco standard
CAN-bus control panel, manufactured
and delivered to over 140 units since
1998. It features a solid shell specially
designed for outdoor and underground
usage under severe conditions. All components involved are deve oped and long
term tested for the same conditions.
Roberto Lopez
37
Talking Technically
Introduction
In mines and tunnels, an accurate excavation profile contributes to better rock
stability and overall economy. These
qualities accelerated the acceptance of
computerized rigs underground, giving
Atlas Copco the confidence to apply
the technology to other products, including raiseborers.
The latest generation of raiseborers
requires less operators to supervise them,
while offering improved working environment and high production with reliability.
Atlas Copco has a great interest in
what raiseboring can do to improve
the rock excavation process as a whole,
and continually monitors the performance of machines working for customers around the world.
The PLC system, installed on drill
rigs for many years, uses a large radial
network to connect the central computer with the various sensors and processors. It handles analog high-speed
signals, while hosting many processors
for advanced digital communication
and man-machine communication. This
38
RCS is a common platform for all Atlas Copco mining and construction products.
CAN-bus raiseborers
With the introduction of the CAN-bus
system on the new generation of Atlas
Copco Robbins raiseborers, completely new thinking in the derrick control
Talking Technically
Quality drilling
The new raiseborers offer numerous improvements in the drilling and quality
of the drilling result, which eventually
will lead to lower overall cost. Some
of the advantages are listed.
Higher availability of the raiseborer
is expected
The running costs are expected to be
lower, as the proper follow-up of the
machine performance and direct fault
finding will improve the availability of
the rig.
Because fault tracing is carried out
by the software, the service organization does not require a deep knowledge of digital or computer technology.
RCS promotes quieter and more spacious surroundings for the operator,
since there are no longer any hydraulics
or gauges in the cabin. Instead of dials
and switches, the operator has a screen
and joysticks, backed up by a full diagnostic and fault finding facility. Once
he has programmed the hole, the computer takes over, optimizing the pilot
drilling or reaming process, and leaving him free to carry out other duties.
Stress on the operator is reduced, while
his productivity is increased. The result
is quality holes and happier workers.
RCS also provides a gradual rampup of power at the start of pilot drilling
and reaming. Smoother control during
the boring operation then takes the
stress off the drill string, and improves
the penetration rate. When jamming
starts to occur, it is detected by an increase in rotation pressure, which immediately causes boring to stop, avoiding unnecessary torsional stresses in the
machine and drill string.
Future trends
Automation products are already available to connect a raiseborer to a customers communication network.
Once the raiseborer is connected to
the network, the project control and
management systems will receive vital
Johnny Lyly
39
Talking Technically
Site preparation
Improved efficiency
Correct site preparation eliminates major delays and adds noticeable efficiencies to the raiseboring operation. The site planner
needs to know the geology and
layout of the hole so that a correct design can be evolved for the
areas at both top and bottom. It
is necessary to have good access
to both positions, and sufficient
manoeuvring room for tube changing at the top and clearing away
muck at the bottom. Consideration
also has to be given to the routes
along which all of the equipment
will pass. A well thought-out site
will be of benefit to the operators,
both in time and money.
Overhead
clearance
for complete
derrick
extension
Site layout
Raiseboring site preparation begins with
a comprehensive plan, for which the site
planner must first receive the following
information well in advance of the scheduled boring date:
1. Survey drawings showing the propo sed collaring point, proposed break through point, and hole axis section.
Dip angle and actual length of the
hole should also be specified.
2. A geological section through the hole
axis including its location and a brief
geological description.
From this information, a site layout plan
is formulated for the surveyors.
Site planning considerations include:
derrick mounting systems
bailing fluid selection
bailing fluid and cuttings discharge
storage and positioning of drill string
components
overhead clearances
floor space and equipment
positioning
compressed air
water
electrical power
lighting
telephones
and ventilation
40
Overhead clearances.
The derrick must be positioned and mounted at the site before the raiseboring
operation can begin.
The two most commonly used mounting systems are concrete pad and steel
beam.
When deciding the type of derrick
mounting system, the layout of the site
and availability of construction materials
are factors to consider.
Once the mounting system is decided,
a detailed design specific to the site
layout and raiseboring machine needs
to be put together.
This should be approved by a qualified engineer who has to ensure that
the mounting system is strong enough
to safely react the maximum thrust and
rotational forces transmitted by the raise
boring machine.
The dimensions and position of the
mounting system, and the exact location of the pilot hole collaring point and
base plates, must be indicated on the
site layout drawing.
Talking Technically
Derrick
Base plates
Concrete pad
Rock bolts
derrick and concrete pad from slum ping into the hole upon completion.
2. It is extremely important that the con crete pad be poured to solid bedrock
to ensure the best foundation possible.
3. The concrete pad must be of sufficient
quality and thickness to positively re act the maximum load transmitted
into the pad from the derrick during
the raiseboring operation.
4. The recessed channel should be slo ped toward the rear of the machine
to drain bailing fluid and cuttings
away from the working areas at the
front of the machine.
5. The upper concrete pad surfaces on
each side of the recessed channel must
be smooth, absolutely horizontal, and
level with one another.
6. The horizontal base plate mounting
surfaces of the concrete pad must be
designed to accommodate the dim ensions, spacing, and hole pattern of
the base plates. These are given in
the section "Site Preparation and
Equipment Setup" in the service ma nual supplied with the purchase of
each raiseboring machine.
raiseboring
Concrete pad
Rock bolts
Steel structure
Rock bolts
41
Talking Technically
Design considerations for the steel structure include: the upper surfaces must be
made horizontal and level with one another, possibly using shims; any space
left beneath the steel beams should be
fully shimmed or grouted to provide
maximum support; the steel structure
must accommodate the dimensions, spacing, and hole pattern of the base plates
42
raiseboring
Talking Technically
With this type of system, the steel structure traverses the sunken pit and is secured to reinforced concrete pads at opposite ends of the pit.
Design considerations for the sunken pit include: the inner walls of the
sunken pit must be designed to allow
complete clearance of the reamer upon
breakthrough; the walls and floor of the
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Site services
Compressed air is required at site to
power pneumatic tools and to provide
a bailing medium during pilot hole drilling. Also, some crawlers are driven by
compressed air.
Clean water is required at the raiseboring site for cooling the hydraulic oil,
the lubrication oil, and the electrical
cabinet SCRs used on machines with
Talking Technically
Ventilation
The ventilation air supplied to the raise
boring site should be fume-free, with
a dust count kept at acceptable levels.
The air temperature should be comfortable for the operating crew and acceptable for machine operation. Excessively
high air temperatures can lead to the
overheating of hydraulic and lubrication
oils, and damage of electrical and hydraulic equipment. Furthermore, high
dust and fume levels promote frequent
raiseboring
Site survey
Upon complete construction of the derrick mounting system, a site survey must
be carried out to ensure the base plate
mounting surfaces are absolutely horizontal. The exact locations of the pilot
hole collaring point and the base plates
should be recorded. The concrete or
rock formation surface at the collaring
point should be smooth and perpendicular to the axis of the raise to avoid
pilot hole deviation.
The surveyor should check that the
excavation is to planned dimensions
with full overhead clearance, and that
the derrick mounting system has been
correctly positioned in relation to the
sidewalls of the site.
Talking Technically
Rikard Erlandsson
enable the base plates to be secured to
the structure. If required, stops can be
welded to the steel structure at the rear
of the base plates to prevent sliding,
which can occur when pilot hole drilling a dipped hole.
When using a concrete pad system
for derrick mounting, rock bolts must be
secured into the rock formation be-low
the pad. Any annulus between the bolt
and hole must be backgrouted. The
base plates can then be fastened to the
concrete pad using threaded rock bolts
and a locking nut system.
After the base plates are installed to
the mounting surfaces, they must be
checked by survey to ensure that they
are absolutely horizontal and level with
one another. If the base plates are not
correctly orientated, it may be necessary to correct any inaccuracies using
steel shims.
If sub bases are used, the base plates
must be fastened to the sub bases using a
locking nut setup with threaded bolts of
46
Additional installations
The bailing fluid and cuttings handling
system may now be installed, together
with any lifting eye bolts needed for
setup and operation of the raiseboring
system. It is good practice to install at
least one lifting eye above the derrick
in case main drive motor system repairs become necessary. If the derrick
has to be dismantled for transport, lifting eyes must be located directly over
the final assembly positions of each
major component.
Breakthrough site
preparation
The breakthrough site must be excavated to size to permit removal of the
pilot bit and reamer-stabilizer, and to
install the reamer.
raiseboring
Talking Technically
Worksite preparation
The first stage of the raiseboring operation is the preparation of the worksite, keeping in mind the layout required for the
machine, power units, drill pipe, and accessories. This is planned and defined in
advance of the arrival of the machine,
because items such as power supply and
disposal of the cuttings are crucial to the
efficiency of the operation. A suitable
concrete pad or structure must be provided upon which the base plates and rig are
secured.
Transportation of the equipment to
the worksite is the next step. Crawler,
sled or rail bound haulage may be used
to carry the machine as a complete unit
or in component parts, depending on its
size and the roadway clearances along
the route. If assembly at the worksite is
required, the area must be prepared in
raISEBORING
Robbins 34RH C.
Anchoring and aligning the equipment correctly during the set-up process
determines its orientation and ensures
accurate targeting of the lower point.
After collaring the pilot hole, alignment
should be re-checked.
During the collaring process a series
of precision machined starting pipes
and subs are added. These are guided
through a bushing to assure centre line
direction. Collaring is carried out through
the concrete base and into the rock formation. The drilling characteristics of
these materials are different, so excess
force and speed must be avoided, otherwise deviation of the hole may result.
Correct pilot drill bit configuration for
the expected rock conditions and flushing medium are crucial.
Used pipes should be checked for
condition, and handled and stored carefully. A file can be used to smooth down
47
Talking Technically
Collaring procedure
Pilot hole
Before drilling of the pilot hole can
commence, the tricone bit has to be collared deep enough to accommodate the
bit sub and stabilizers just behind the
bit and establish their direction. Collaring is carried out using the starter
sub and pipes for drilling, and adding
two or three six-rib stabilizers behind
the bit reamer-stabilizer to provide drilling accuracy. In soft, blocky ground,
or when drilling low angles, additional
stabilizers may be used at intervals between drill pipes if required.
The starting bushing comprises a
strong holder with a bronze element to
guide the drill string components. This
bushing must be monitored for hot spots,
which are an indication of forces tending
to deviate the bit. These can be caused
by the rock formation, improper drilling
operation, or changes in the machine
centreline set-up. A deviated start will
48
Talking Technically
Efficient drilling
Drilling can be controlled by speed or
bit force. The choice of method is based on experience, skills in the specific
ground, and site conditions. Atlas Copco
Robbins raise drills have independent
controls and monitoring instruments for
feed penetration rate and bit force. The
conventional penetration speed control
is recommended, which is more focused
on the accuracy of the hole. The penetration rate should be limited to a maximum of 2 in/min (50 mm/min) to minimize deviation. The operator should
monitor and record the parameters of
the pilot drilling operation in order to
provide ground information for reaming.
The maximum penetration rate may
also be controlled by predetermined bit
force using the rotation speed and feed
rate controls. This method will achieve
a faster pilot hole. Whatever method is
used, the maximum weight on the bit
is the ruling consideration, limited by
the rotational speed of the machine and
the capacity of the bailing system to
remove the cuttings from the hole.
Before changing rods, it is essential
to clear the cuttings from the hole, otherwise they may settle, cementing the
string. Given the depth of the hole and
the annulus area, the bottom-up-time
can be calculated. This is the minimum
flushing time required to ensure all the
raISEBORING
Talking Technically
Refer to the instructions in the Service Manual on how to setup and use
the bit force indicator system to be sure
to zero the readout before touching the
face.
Once collaring of the reamer is completed, the raise can continue at normal
drilling rates.
The cutters are loaded to the optimum spalling point to break the rock,
and then maximum possible rotation is
applied to increase the penetration per
revolution. By observing the cutters it
is fairly easy to determine the cutting
efficiency, and the bigger the chips the
better the raise. Be aware some limestone formations may produce huge
boulders which make reaming very
difficult.
The objective is safe, effective cutting within the scale of maximum permissible load/cutter.
Continuous monitoring and adjustments may be required to maintain the
optimum cutting rate, feed rate, rotation
speed, and cutter force. The drilling record from the pilot raise indicates the
rock conditions that can be expected.
The set-up of the site will determine
the options for clearing the site after
drilling the hole. In very short vertical
raises, it is reasonable to lower the reamer, disconnect it at the bottom, and then
remove the pipes at the top. In long, or
angled raises, the ideal is to remove the
reamer from the top.
The concrete base at the top of the
hole must be wide enough to provide
support around the perimeter of the reamed raise, and strong enough to absorb
the required thrust. Placing an extended
concrete base may be necessary.
Once the reamer is properly secured
in place at the top, the machine can be
moved from site and a crane or hoisting
device used for the removal of the head.
Extreme caution must be taken when
working near open raises. An inrush of
air can be expected when the reamer is
removed.
Various accessories and methods are
available, depending on the machine
model and size, and intended raise.
Roberto Lopez
raISEBORING
Talking Technically
Bailing considerations
Importance of
bailing
It is important during pilot hole
drilling to provide a bailing medium such as water, compressed air,
or compressed air with water. This
should be of sufficient quantity
and pressure to ensure that all material being cut is removed immediately from the bottom of the
hole and exhausted up the annulus between the drill string and the
pilot hole walls. Adverse effects
of inadequate bailing are: shortened bit life due to the abrasive
effect of reground cuttings; bailing pressure goes up and bailing
return is lost; sticking of pilot bit
or drill string, which could result
in twist-off of the bit; lower penetration rate; rougher drilling operation; and greater hole deviation.
Obviously, for a trouble-free hole,
bailing is a major consideration.
Part of the site set up cavern blocked off to create a water and settling tank.
Talking Technically
Talking Technically
Where
Q1 = pump output (gal/min)
Q2 = pump output (lit/min)
V1 = bailing return velocity (ft/min)
V2 = bailing return velocity (m/min)
D1 = pilot hole diameter (inches)
D2 = drill pipe diameter (inches)
D3 = pilot hole diameter (mm)
D4 = drill pipe diameter (mm)
For water
Q1 = (D1sq - D2sq) x V1/24.5
Q2 = (D3sq - D4sq) x V2/1273
V1 = Q1 x 24.5/(D1sq - D2sq)
V2 = Q2 x 1273/(D3sq - D4sq)
Water
raiseboring
For air
Q1 = (D1sq D2sq) x V1/183.3
Q2 = (D3sq - D4sq) x V2/1,273,240
V1 = Q1 x 183.3/(D1sq D2sq)
V2 = Q2 x 1,273,240/(D3sq D4sq)
Where
Q1 = compressor output (cu ft/min)
Q2 = compressor output (cu m/min)
V1 = bailing return velocity (ft/min)
V2 = bailing return velocity (m/min)
D1 = pilot hole diameter (inches)
D2 = drill pipe diameter (inches)
D3 = pilot hole diameter (mm)
D4 = drill pipe diameter (mm)
Site availability values should be checked against recommended values when
deciding on the type of bailing fluid to
be used. If water is to be used as the
bailing fluid, the water pump supplied
should have a rating higher than recommended to deal with plugged pilot hole
conditions.
Furthermore, a second water pump
with a rapid connection should be kept
on site. If air is to be used as the bailing
fluid, elevation derating values must be
applied to compressor specifications
for high altitudes.
As a precaution, the bearing and seal
design of the pilot bit to be used must
comply with the bailing fluid type. Failure to check the bit design against the
bailing fluid type can result in premature bit failure.
Provisions must be made for the discharge of bailing fluid and cuttings.
After the bailing system has been decided and designed, its dimensions and
location should be recorded on the site
layout drawing.
Non-Recirculated
When water is chosen and is not to be
recirculated, the discharge handling system should be designed to conform to
the natural layout of the raiseboring
site. This, and the design of the derrick
mounting system, will usually determine the method of transporting the
bailing discharge from the pilot hole
collaring point to the cuttings handling
area.
Site layout permitting, the derrick
mounting system and bailing discharge
handling system can be jointly designed
to direct the bailing discharge to the
cuttings handling area using the force
of gravity, as with a ditch or channel
system.
When using a steel structure with
a sunken pit, a standpipe may need to
be installed to prevent cuttings from
re-entering the pilot hole upon loss of
bailing fluid pressure. The standpipe
should be sealed at the pilot hole collaring point. The bailing discharge can
then be pumped from the sunken pit to
the cuttings handling area.
In other cases, it may be necessary
to construct a reservoir near the derrick, direct the discharge to the reservoir from the derrick, and pump the
bailing discharge from the reservoir to
the cuttings handling area.
53
Talking Technically
Recirculation
Guidelines for transporting bailing discharge when using recirculated bailing
water are similar to those shown above.
For water recirculation, the cuttings handdling area must be set up as a reservoir
or series of reservoirs at or near the
raiseboring site. Design considerations
for the reservoir system include:
1. The reservoir system must separate
the cuttings from the return water be fore the water is recirculated, possi bly with a series of settling reser voirs. Alternatively, a series of gates
may be added to a single reservoir
to separate the discharge area from
the suction area.
Talking Technically
Bailing discharge
Compressed air
Abrasive
resistant pipe
Blooie
system
Drill pipe
Nozzle
Compressed air and cuttings
Roberto Lopez
Water circulation.
Compressed air
Site planning considerations for the
transport of bailing discharge and the
handling of cuttings when using compressed air alone are the same as those
raiseboring
55
Talking Technically
Rock interface
The raiseboring system includes the
raiseboring machine, drill string comprising pipe, stabilizers, various subs
and roller reamer stabilizers for the
pilot hole, the stinger, the reamer, and
the cutters. Only the cutters come into
contact with the formation for the purpose of fracturing the rock. The cutters
are mounted on the reamer using saddles. The stinger connects the drill string
to the head. Thrust and torque are transmitted from the machine, through the
drill string and stinger, to the reamer
cutters and the rock formation.
Since the cutter interface with the
rock is very important to the performance of the raiseboring application, the
design of the cutters is important.
Cutters
Cutters are used to excavate rock when
reaming or boxhole boring upward, or
shaft sinking downward. These are mounted on cutter housings positioned and
welded to the reamer, and are designed
to be the expendable wear item of the
raiseboring operation. Hence, they are
removable and can be replaced in the
field.
Single row steel disc cutters can be
used for raiseboring, particularly in soft
rock formations or for short raises. However, since most raiseboring occurs in
medium to hard rock formations, the
56
raiseboring
Talking Technically
the rock, the blunter is the outer diameter of the disc cutter (figure 3). Tungsten carbide insert rings have been used
widely on disc cutters over most of the
last decade.
Disc cutters are usually employed on
a domed type of reamer (figure 4), with
disc spacing between 25 mm (1 in)
and 100 mm (4 in). This spacing changes, along with the shape of the outside diameter of the disc cutter, relative
to the hardness of the rock and the location on the head. Disc cutters and
domed reamers in combination served
the industry adequately in the early
years of raiseboring in soft and medium applications.
The domed type reamer has declined
in popularity for a number of reasons.
Disc cutters tend to require more torque
to spall out kerfs, and this is compounded
on domed profiles. The domed reamer
Figure 5: Cuttings produced by kerf cutters.
raiseboring
Kerf cutters
Kerf cutters use an extension of the rock
failure mechanism described for disc cutters. When properly spaced kerfs are
combined with sufficient cutter force,
very efficient drilling results, since the
kerf maintains almost continuous contact with the formation. Interaction between adjacent paths produces shear
failure of the rock between them. Kerf
cutters tend to spall out 4 to 8 in-long
banana shaped chips and smaller, almost circular chips, depending on the
formation and the loading (figure 5).
57
Talking Technically
cutters because the latter can be rearranged individually for each cutting row.
The kerf cutter is generally employed in flat or barrel-shaped profiles,
rather than in domed profiles. It is generally less expensive to operate, since
fewer saddles are required to cover diameters in medium to hard rock conditions, and the bearing component is not
required for each row of carbide as for
a disc cutter.
Each kerf cutter design provides certain benefits to the application. The RCC
cutter design, for instance, provides a
Figure 8: A RCC11 cutter.
raiseboring
Talking Technically
raiseboring
59
Talking Technically
Head design
Reamers or heads are designed in different ways for several different requirements. Some of the standard head designs
are integral heads, expandable or modular heads, downreaming heads and
boxhole heads. Other heads are generally modifications of one of these four
designs.
Integral heads
Figure 12: 1.8 metre integral head.
Both cutters employ metal face seals featuring two metal rings and two elastomer o-rings on either end, to maintain
the resiliency of the seal under operating conditions.
Reamers
Reamers are available for excavating
a wide range of raise diameters in varying
rock conditions. The reamer is attached
to the drill string by means of a Dl-22
threaded connection on the reamer
stinger. The stinger is normally removable from the reamer, but, in a few instances, it is an integral part.
Cutters are held securely to the reamer by steel cutter housings, or saddles.
These are generally fastened to the main
reamer body by welding, but bolting
may be used near the centre of the assembly. The bolted design enables these
housings to be detached and repositioned on the reamer. This allows for
removal of the stinger, and the use of
different drill string sizes with the same
reamer.
Positioning of cutter housings and
cutters on the reamer has to be exact
for efficient boring performance. Cutter
60
Expandable or modular
head design
Expandable or modular heads are designed for easy change of diameter, according to the requirements of the mine.
They all employ replaceable stems or
stingers.
Two examples of expandable or
modular heads are shown in figure 13.
Critical features for an expandable or
modular head design are: the head
should provide the diameters required;
raiseboring
Talking Technically
raiseboring
Boxhole heads
Use of boxhole heads has decreased
in recent years. These are designed to
drill upwards, being pushed and rotated
by the machine.
Commonly, a boxhole will follow
a pre-drilled pilot hole Alternatively,
the pilot hole may be drilled as part of
the boring operation.
The connection to the drill string
is either through a flanged connection
61
Talking Technically
Stinger designs
62
Non-standard heads
Weld-in or integral
stingers
Talking Technically
Bikon stingers
Bikon stingers are fitted using large tapered dowels and clamp rings, are very
reliable, and are relatively cheap to
manufacture. In the standard capacity
design, approximately 100 bolts have to
be torqued to specifications to keep the
stinger in place (figure 19). The Bikon
design comes in sizes commonly used in
raiseboring, and is the only standard
stinger type that can be lowered into
the head from above.
Taperlok stingers
Taperlok stingers are installed using a
hydraulic injection system, in which a
mating taper in the head is expanded
and the stem is pressed into place. The
mating taper is then allowed to shrink
to its original geometry. The Taperlok
is one of the most reliable stingers, but
its design is very dependent upon exact
geometry and cleanliness, which is not
easy to attain underground. The manufacturing cost is lower than for other
designs, but special hydraulic pumps
and injection tools are required.
Figure 20 shows an example of the
Taperlok design.
the pilot hole. Pilot bits used in raiseboring are equipped with an API regular threaded pin for connection to either
the starter sub during pilot hole start
Steve Brooke
Flanged stinger
Flanged stingers are attached to the head
using bolts and dowels. They have become the industry standard over the
years, see figure 21. The flanged stinger
is designed to fit all standard pilot
holes used in raiseboring. The assembly
requires an adequate lifting device and
torque tool. This design is very strong
under tension, but has some limitations
when loaded in compression, such as
when removing a stuck head from a hole,
or putting the weight of the drill string
on the head. The flanged stinger design
is more expensive to manufacture than
most other designs, due to material costs.
Pilot bits
The pilot bit is installed at the bottom of
the drill string and utilized for excavating
raiseboring
63
Talking Technically
Raiseboring drillstring
components
Safe mechanical
connection
The drill string is the mechanical
connection between the cutting
components and the raiseboring
machine. It is hollow, to allow the
passage of fluid for cooling and
removal of cuttings. It is sufficiently robust to consistently transmit
rotational and thrust forces from
the machine to the pilot bit or reamer, and to provide support for
the reamer in the raise when adding or removing drill string components. The design of the drill
string must always be compatible with the machine on which
it is used. Atlas Copco drill string
components are designed for purpose and manufactured in lengths
that are easy to handle, store, and
transport. Crucially, they are sized
to be readily installed and removed
from the derrick of the raiseboring
machine, making them safe and
efficient in use.
Drill pipe
Six-rib stabilizer
Drill string
Bit reamerstabilizer
Pilot bit
Bottom pack
Bottom pack is known as the bottom section of the drill string that determines the
pilot hole diameter. These are made of the
tricone bit, roller bit sub, and stabilizers.
These can vary from standard configurations to fit the requirements.
Starter pipe
Starter pipe is required for pilot hole
start up, this pipe is different from regular drill pipe only in that outer diameter are machined. They are available in
various lengths and diameters depending on the application. The starter pipes
64
Reamer
Starter sub
The starter sub is connected directly to
the pilot bit during initial stages of pilot
Talking Technically
pin, the sub is equipped with wrenching areas near its lower A.P.I. threaded
box end.
These lower wrenching areas enable
make up of the floating box starter sub
connection without reacting machine
torque through the weaker A.P.I. starter
sub pilot bit connection. The use of the
lower wrenching areas is necessary for
this makeup when there is insufficient
distance between the machine work table and the collaring surface to utilize
the upper wrenching areas of the starter
sub.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are connected in the drill
string adjacent to the cutting components. They reduce pilot hole deviation,
maintain the full gauge diameter of the
pilot hole, and reduce bending stresses
in the drill string during raise reaming.
Two stabilizer types are used in raiseboring.
Bit reamer stabilizer
Rib stabilizer
Rib stabilizer
A number of four-rib or six-rib stabilizer are added to the drill string after
installation of the pilot bit reamer stabilizer.
These types of stabilizer are manufactured with a DI-22 threaded pin
and box at opposite ends. The number
of six rib stabilizers used in the drill
string can vary from one raise to the
raISEBORING
65
Talking Technically
Shock absorbers
A shock absorber is a specially designed component that is available for the
pilot drilling. The shock absorber adds
suspension to the drill string, helping
the bit to ride the rough bottom of the
hole, reducing movement throughout
the whole drill string. This movement
is taken up by springs in the shock sub.
The load on the bit is then more constant,
and vibration is taken up by the shock
sub. These components are specially
designed to control the very high cyclic
loads generated as the bit cones go over
the higher and lower areas at the base
of the hole.
Reamer
Roberto Lopez
Pilot bit
The pilot bit is a tricone type bit used
for drilling the pilot hole. Various types
of bits are available depending on the
specified ground conditions.
Saver sub
The saver sub is a small section of pipe
with threaded connection to match the
drill string and the stem or stinger.
Its function is to serve as a fuse and
absorb all the bending forces between
the reamer and the stabilizer. This component is designed to break and protect
the stabilizer connection.
66
raISEBORING
Introduction
Codelco, renowned for its refined copper
output, is also the second ranked world
supplier of molybdenum, as well as being
a major producer of silver and sulphuric
acid, both of which are by-products of its
core copper production.
The El Teniente mine, located high
in the Andes at an elevation of 2,100 m,
has been producing copper since 1904.
The orebody is 2.8 k m-long by
1.9 km-wide, and is 1.8 km-deep, with
proven reserves of some 4,000 million t,
sufficient for a mine life of 100 years.
Approximately 2,800 miners work
seven levels on a 24 h/day, 7 day/ week
operation.
El Teniente production increased significantly in 2005, when its new Esmeralda section came on line, using the
pre-undercut panel caving method. Overall mine output has increased by 31,000
t/day, with 45,000 t/day coming from
the Esmeralda Project, making it the
most important sector in the mine. The
two new boxhole boring systems supplied by Atlas Copco Robbins are a
vital part of this production system.
raiseboring
Slot hole
0.7 m diam/15 m long
Loading, LHD
Dumping
Production level
Robbins
34RH
Orepasses
Ventilation shaft,
1.5 m diameter
35 m long
Robbins
53RH
Tapping
Ventilation
shaft, 1.5 m
diameter
45 m long
(max: 75 m)
Transportation level
Ventilation level
67
Mine requirements
El Teniente tendered for the purchase of
two boxhole boring units to excavate
the draw bell slot holes for the panel caving operation. These units would also
be used to bore ventilation raises and
ore passes between the production and
the haulage level. The vertical draw bell
slots are generally 15 m-long and 692
mm-diameter. A total of 800 m, comprising 45-50 shafts, are bored annually.
Because drifts have not been developed on the production level, all ventilation raises and ore passes are bored
from the haulage level and upwards
using the boxhole boring technique. The
average length of the vertical and inclined ventilation raises is 25-50 m. The
inclined ore passes average 25 m-long,
but this varies up to 75 m-long. The total
annual requirement for 1.5 m-diameter
bored raises is 1,000 m.
Restrictions are placed on the machine design by the size of the underground sections. Work sites measure
3.6 x 3.6 m, and maximum transportation dimensions are 2.5 m-wide x 2.5 mhigh x 4.8 m-long. The machines must
either be self-propelled or transported
on rail, and have to have tramming and
directional lights, as well as a fire extinguisher system. The mine electrical installations provide power at 575-4,000
68
V, 3-phases at 50 Hz, and 24-220 V, single phase at 50 Hz. Each machine is designed for three, or less, operators per
shift.
The operating environment is 2,300 m
above sea level, with teperatures from
+25 degrees C to 0 degrees C. Relative
humidity varies from 15% to 90% in
the mine, where acid water and occasional blast vibrations may be experienced. Both machines are operated 24
h/day, 7 days/week, with a maximum
machine utilization of 15-16 h/day.
Evaluation period
An evaluation period of three months
was established to study the performance
capabilities of each machine. Target performance criteria for the smaller slot
hole machine was set at 264 m bored
during the three month period, and 330
m for the larger boxhole machine.
This performance target was based
on a 24 h/day operation, with net available operating time of 15-16 h. The
number of operating personnel required,
set-up and moving time, the rate of penetration and machine availability were
all recorded during evaluation period.
Atlas Copco boxhole boring units
Robbins 34RH and 53RH were found
to meet the requirements of the up-hole
boring tender, and were selected by the
mine. Built on the experience of the
During pilot hole drilling and reaming, the rubber sealed muck collector
is applied adjacent to the rock face. The
muck slides on a chute assembly to the
rear of the machine.
The two earlier Robbins 34RH machines featured a 270 degree working
range, with muck spilling to either side
or to the rear end of the machine, whereas
the muck chute on the new El Teniente
34RH machine has a working range of
90 degrees, due to simpler and more
compact design.
The Robbins 34RH features a remote
controlled hydraulically operated slideopening worktable for use in both downreaming and boxhole boring applications. The entire drill string, including
boxhole stabilizers and reamer, can pass
through the worktable of the machine.
The standard frame Robbins 34RH
currently in use at El Teniente accommodates a 692 mm-diameter reamer
through the worktable, while a wide
frame model of the 34RH accommodates a 1,060 mm-diameter reamer.
The Robbins 34RH worktable is
equipped with semi-mechanized wrenching, which features a hydraulically
powered forkshaped wrench manipulated from the operators control
console.
The rod handler is designed to pick
up all drill string components, including boxhole stabilizers and reamer.
Robbins 53RH
The Robbins 53RH is a low profile,
medium-diameter raise drill, suitable
for boring orepasses and ventilation
shafts. It is a versatile multi-purpose
machine, capable of boring upwards
boxhole, downreaming, or conventional raiseboring, without modification
to the drive assembly.
It has a hydraulic drive to enable
variable rotation speeds and has dual
drive motors placed offline on a gathering gearbox that transmits torque to the
drive heads.
The Robbins 53RH features a raiseboring and a boxhole float box, which
allows the boring methods to be changed by simply installing drill rods in
either the upper or lower float box. In
addition, this multi-purpose unit is provided with a removable water swivel, to
raiseboring
facilitate pilot bit flushing in both raiseboring and boxhole boring modes.
The El Teniente machine has been
substantially upgraded from previous
versions of the Robbins 53RH, to increase its productivity and working
range. The input power has been increased by 31% to 225 kW, the torque has
been increased by 44% to 156 kNm,
and the thrust by 21% to 3,350 kN.
To achieve the same low profile as
standard Robbins 53RH machines, high
thrust telescopic cylinders have been
used. This has resulted in a machine
with an overall height of just 2.9 m that
utilizes 750 mm-long drill rods with an
outer diameter of 286 mm.
For ease of operation, the unit is
equipped with semi-mechanized wrenching in the worktable, as well as the
headframe. This features a hydraulically powered forkshaped wrench manipulated from the operators control
console.
The larger Robbins 53RH does not
feature an opening worktable, as the
wings of the stabilizers and the reamer
are attached on top of the machine.
Muck is handled by a separate collector system designed to suit the machine. Unlike the Robbins 34RH, this
muck collector is not integrated into
the machine design, but is attached to
the rock face by means of rock bolts.
As it is separated from the derrick
Diesel powered crawlers are used for transporting Robbins 34RH and Robbins 53RH.
Additional equipment
The boxhole boring machines working
in El Teniente were each delivered with
a diesel powered crawler, for rapid
movement of the derrick from site to
site. The newly designed crawler features a cordless remote controlled operating system and a high-power Deutz
diesel engine for high-altitude operation
and minimal environmental impact.
To give the mine better control over
machine productivity, a Data Acquisition System was delivered with each
machine. This records operating variables in real time, and stores them on
a memory card. It also features a display panel that shows the parameters
being recorded. The machine operator
can view any variable, as well as current
time and date, and battery life during
operation.
The recording brick is configured to
log data to the memory card every 30
seconds. During the interval, variables
are continuously monitored and key
points are logged. The Data Acquisition
System is provided with a data analysis
software package which processes the
output from the recording brick stored
on the memory card, and creates graphical plots of the data. The software
also generates data files that can be
inserted into spreadsheets.
70
Conclusion
The application environment in the
El Teniente mine placed high demands
on the boxhole boring equipment supplier, both in size constraints, and in
operation of the equipment. The mine
personnel also had aggressive performance expectations, in keeping with
the established high productivity of the
mine.
Atlas Copco chose to offer its proven
34RH and 53RH boxhole machines with
customized features to meet the special
needs of El Teniente. Most of these
raiseboring
Robbins 34RH.
Acknowledgement
Atlas Copco is grateful to the management and staff at El Teniente for their
help and assistance with this article,
which was originally published in
2001.
Rock Type
Composition Density
[%]
[ton/m3]
Andesite Fw
36
2.75
Andesite Hw
24
2.75
Anhydrite Breccha
20
2.70
Andesite Breccha
12
2.70
Diorite 8
2.75
UCS
[MPa]
[MPa]
100
125
115
100
140
Youngs
Modulus
[---]
55
55
55
50
60
Poissons
Ratio
0.12
0.17
0.17
0.12
0.15
72
raiseboring
Mine access
The McArthur River Operation is jointly owned by Cameco Corporation (70%)
and Cogema Resources Inc (30%). It
entered production in December, 1999
and successfully ramped up production
to become the worlds largest uranium
mine, at over 18 million lbs/year of
U3O8.
The minesite is located approximately 620 km north of Saskatoon. Access
is by both air and all-weather road.
Air travel is used to transport personnel to and from various locations in
Saskatchewan, while road transportation is used for materials.
raiseboring
Radiation overview
Worker annual exposure limits have been
established in conjunction with the
CNSC, and take into account the cumulative exposure to alpha and gamma radiation and radon gas, along with long-lived
radioactive dust. Radon gas decaying to
its progeny causes alpha radiation. It is
typically derived from radon bearing
groundwater sources that enter mine
workings, and is a critical source of radiation, particularly where inadequate
ventilation allows gas build up.
Gamma radiation is directly proportional to ore grade. Long-lived radioactive dusts are essentially airborne ore
particulate that has been generated by
some aspect of mining or ore handling.
Discreet radon sources need to be
captured in suction ventilation ducting,
and delivered to non-entry return airways. General ventilation is normally
single pass to non-entry return airways
to limit exposure to the decay process.
Time, distance and shielding are the key
design criteria used to limit gamma radiation exposure. Processes are designed to
73
74
Ground freezing
Ground freezing is utilized around the
ore to cut off the groundwater flow path
from the sandstone. It also provides consolidation of the halo of poor ground
surrounding the ore, caused by major
faulting.
The ground-freezing programme is
presently required to maintain, rather
than initiate, freezing. The programme
consists of 107 holes on line around the
ore in Panels 1, 2, & 3 of Zone No 2.
Calcium chloride brine for freezing
is delivered via two 250 mm-diameter
insulated pipes installed in the Pollock
Shaft in a high-pressure closed loop.
Delivery temperature is typically 30C
to maintain the required steady-state
temperature for the underground portion of the system. On the 530 m level, a
series of heat exchangers allows for heat
transfer with a low-pressure closed loop
brine distribution system that delivers
brine to the Zone No 2 area. Delivery
temperature is typically 27C. The
freeze pipes in the holes contain a smaller diameter inner PVC feed pipe that
allows the brine to travel to the bottom
of the hole, prior to flowing out of the
feed pipe, while contacting the outer
casing to allow heat transfer with the
surrounding rock.
raiseboring
Raiseboring overview
Raiseboring was selected as the initial
mining method for Zone No 2, since it is
not possible to work in the ore zone due
to radiation exposure and ground freezing. There is also a need to control ventilation circuits extremely well, and low
orebody rock strength eliminated the
use of mining methods requiring explosives.
Initially, three raisebore chambers
were established on the 530 m level inside the freeze-wall. Two rows of raises
are bored from each chamber to respective extraction chambers on the 640 m
level. Each row contains from 10 to 16
raises, depending upon local geology.
All chambers are provided with a concrete floor, for ease of setting up the raisebore drills and for cleanup, and with
halogen lighting for better visibility.
Upon completion of reaming in a given
chamber, the raisebore and extraction
chambers are backfilled with concrete,
and subsequent chambers are then developed adjacent to these backfilled drifts,
ready for reaming the next two rows of
raises per chamber.
Pilot hole deviation averages just 1%,
due to careful alignment of the raisebore drills, and standardization of pilot
hole drilling parameters.
Raises completed to date have varied
from 50,000 lb to over 1,000,000 lb of
U3O8, with raises averaging 75 m in
length. Due to the generally soft nature
of the ore zone, the production rate,
when reaming in the ore, is constrained
by ore-handling capacity. Reaming in
excess of 50 t/h is theoretically possible, and 20 to 30 t/h has proved to be
sustainable. In a 3.05 m-diameter raise,
this equates to 0.9 m/h to 1.4 m/h.
Special precautions are taken during
both pilot hole drilling and reaming to
ensure the safety of the operators.
Due to radon gas and progeny generation, the raise air has to be contained
during the reaming cycle. This involves
maintaining a good seal at the pilot hole
collar, and introducing compressed air
down the pilot hole during reaming;
utilizing a negative pressure 2.5 cu m/s
wet bath dust scrubber at the bottom of
the raise, as part of the ore collection
chute (OCC) system, that exhausts to
the return air side of raiseboring on the
raiseboring
640 m level; and using proper restrictive barriers to ensure that no personnel
enter on the return air side of raiseboring on the 640 m level.
Loading ore
Ore is collected at the bottom of the
raises by line-of-sight LHD. A simple
chute arrangement is placed below the
raise to direct material to a 1.2 mdiameter chute opening, which dumps
directly into the LHD bucket. Stationary
cameras indicate when the bucket is 75%
full, and the driver contacts the raisebore operator to cease reaming. The
driver, located 20-40 m away on the
fresh air side, then backs the LHD away
from the chute, using line-of-sight remote
control.
He then boards the LHD into a pressurized, air-filtered cab, and drives it to
a scanning station, where the ore grade
is determined by gamma radiation response before delivery to the indicated
location. Ore grading less than 2% U3O8
can be skipped to surface via the Pollock
75
Innovative raiseborers
Cameco is using a fleet of five Atlas
Copco raiseborers at McArthur River:
one Robbins 73RM-H machine and four
53RH-EX units, using some reaming
heads and cutters supplied by Secoroc.
As of March 2003, some 114 raises
had been reamed, for a total production of approximately 55,150,000 lb of
U3O8. The following table highlights
the annual production.
Backfilling
Once the reamer has been removed from
the raise, the backfill gantry is placed into
the correct position to act as the formwork for backfilling the raise. This backfill gantry raises a platform up to the
back, and seals the raise breakthrough
with a plug fabricated of Styrofoam,
plastic, or canvas.
Concrete is used for backfilling. An
initial plug of +30 MPa strength is pumped via a feed pipe through the backfill gantry from below, and allowed to
cure for 48 hours. This is followed by
a second pour via the pilot hole, and a
final pour of +15 MPa strength to complete raise filling. During this timeframe, the raiseborer is setting up to
drill the next pilot hole. Raises are designed to overlap slightly, in order to
achieve high ore recovery.
Year
Production
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003 (to March)
3,410,000
11,670,000
17,170,000
18,520,000
4,185,000
Total
55,150,000
Innovative backfilling
In order to reduce radiation exposure during the installation of the backfill gantry
(BFG), a plastic plug has been introduced
to seal the bottom of the raise. This is
utilized if ground conditions around the
collar of the raise will not allow sealing
with Styrofoam.
A canvas bag with attached fibreglass
rebars, that is inflated with concrete, was
designed and tested. It was installed
on top of the BFG, and the BFG placed
under the open raise remotely. Then, the
canvas bag was inflated with concrete,
sealing the bottom of the raise and placing the rebars vertically. This initial test
raiseboring
530 m
Raiseborer machine
Pilot hole
Ore zone
Reaming head
Exhaust ventilation
640 m
Fresh air
Remote control
scooptram
Operator
Acknowledgements
Atlas Copco is grateful to Cameco
Corporation for permission to publish
this article, and in particular to chief
mine engineer V Clay Wittchen, who
wrote and presented the papers on which
it is based.
77
78
Tunnel system
The tunnel system runs from a laketap
intake in Lake Tyin to the existing storage lake at Torolmen, and then on to the
powerstation penstocks and turbines,
finally discharging through a tailrace
at rdalsvatnet.
Five surface creek intakes have also
been constructed. These have been coupled to the existing power tunnel, which
will then work as a top feed to the new
tunnel, connected by a shaft located
approximately halfway along its alignment. Selmer Skanska subsidiary E-Service drilled the 1 m-diameter x 25-50 mlong holes to connect the creeks to the
existing headrace.
An access tunnel 1.54 km-long with
50sq m cross section was driven downgrade at 1:10 to reach the power station
site in June, 2002. The rock cover of
1.5 km is resulting in heavy pressure
on tunnel face and crown.
It involved some 75,000 cu m of
excavation using an Atlas Copco Rocket
raiseboring
Tyin
1073-1083 m.o.h.
Torholmen
Tya
Existing tunnel
Shaft
New tunnel
New powerhouse
Lake rdal
above sea level
Power station
The power station excavation was completed in October, 2003, with dimensions
17 m-wide x 60 m-long x 38 m-high,
beneath 1.6 km of rock cover. It is designed to replace output from the existing plant and to add an extra 15%,
bringing electricity production to 1,400
GWh annually, without changing the
water reservoirs.
The power station roof was profile
drilled using a Rocket Boomer 353C
and supported by 6 m-long resin anchored rockbolts installed on a 2 m
square pattern in holes drilled by an
Atlas Copco Boomer H185 drill rig.
Some 7-10 cm of steel fibre reinforced
shotcrete was applied, using a truckmounted jumbo.
An Atlas Copco ROC 642HP quarry
rig drilled 4 m-long x 64 mm-diameter
vertical blastholes with 2.5 m burden on
the benches for bulk excavation of the
powerhouse, where the generator pit will
house two Pelton turbines. These will
be driven by the hydrodynamic forces
raiseboring
Tailrace
The tailrace tunnel is 2.7 km-long, and
9.5m-high x 5.5 m-wide, with 46 sq m
section. This was driven by an Atlas
Copco Rocket Boomer WL3C drill rig
with three booms and a basket, delivered new in February, 2002. The WL3C
was equipped with the latest 1838 HF
rockdrills, which drilled at 1.5 m/min
in the granite gneiss. It drilled 90 holes/
round using 5.5 m-long rods and 48 mm
button bits with Secoroc Magnum SR35
thread, with blasting by Dyno Nobel
slurry with Nonel detonators.
The rock cover of 1.5 km resulted in
heavy pressure on the mountain side of
the drive, causing blocky ground which
had to be secured using 4 m-long resin
anchored bolts. Some 12-15 bolts were
installed per round, in alternating rings
of 6 and 7 at 2.5m spacing. Where the
rock tension permitted, 2.4 m-long
bolts were used. Steel fibre reinforced
shotcrete was applied as a matter of
course.
Turning niches were excavated at
130 m intervals for the wheeled loaders, which discharged into road tippers.
Rock from the tailrace tunnel was carried by bottom dump barges to an area
Headrace
The pressure tunnel was advanced at
27 sq m section on a 0.5% gradient from
the power station position towards
Lake Tyin. Meantime, development of
Atlas Copco ROC 642 HP used for bulk excavation
of power station cavern.
79
80
raiseboring
Surge shaft
At a position known as Tora Bora because of its remoteness, the 9,000 cu m
surge chamber was excavated early in
the project using an Atlas Copco 322
twin-boom drill rig and ANFO. Poor
access limited the size of equipment
that could be used, which included an
ST1000 Scooptram.
The 436 m-long x 4.04 m-diameter
surge shaft was raise bored from the
surge chamber by Skanska raiseboring
AB using its Robbins 97RL C. This is
a high power and low profile raise drill
specially designed for working on sites
with size and weight restrictions, and
is one of the strongest ever produced
for up to 600 m-long raises in the diameter range of 2.4 m-5.0 m. The conversion of the 13 year-old machine to
computer control was undertaken by the
raiseboring department at Atlas Copco
in Orebro, Sweden, who upgraded
the entire system using RCS technology, and added a new power pack and
electrical cabinet. The upgrade made
the control system more reliable and
easier to use, and the raise drill easier to
assemble at site, because of the reduction in cabling. Technical data can be
logged and downloaded onto a PC card,
and the whole system is programmable,
making it easier to add new features.
Indeed, a catch-rope feature was added
and programmed into the machine after
it had been delivered and set up. With
this feature installed, if the reamer
loosens, it is restrained by a wire rope
inside the drillstring, and a red light
appears on the panel.
Due to weight restrictions and size
limits of the access road along the
raiseboring
Summary
The Tyin project began in September,
2001 and was completed in late-2004.
A total of 4,500 rounds were blasted to
remove 680,000 cu m of rock. Some
27,086 rockbolts and 15,100cu m shotcrete were installed.
Acknowledgements
Atlas Copco is grateful to Magnar
Myklatun, project manager for Selmer
Skanska at Tyin for his assistance with
this article.
81
34RH
Main specifications
Standard 34RH
with optional
ground loading
pipeloader
Frame
Low
Standard
Raise diameter
Nominal
Wide
1.2 m
(4 ft)
1.2 m
1.2 m
(4 ft) (4 ft)
Range*
0.6-1.5 m
(2-5 ft)
0.6-1.5 m
(2-5 ft)
0.6-1.5 m
(2-5 ft)
Raise length
Nominal
340 m
(1,115 ft)
340 m
(1,115 ft)
340 m
(1,115 ft)
Maximum*
610 m
(2,000 ft)
610 m
(2,000 ft)
610 m
(2,000 ft)
Drillpipe
Diameter
203 mm
(8 in)
203 mm
(8 in)
254 mm
(10 in)
Optional diam.
254 mm
(10 in)
254 mm
(10 in)
203 mm
(8 in)
Length, s/s**
750 mm
(2.5 ft)
1,219 mm
(4 ft)
1,219 mm
(4 ft)
Pilot hole
Diameter
229 mm
(9 in)
229 mm
(9 in)
279 mm
(11 in)
Optional diam.
279 mm
(11 in)
279 mm
(11 in)
229 mm
(9 in)
64 kNm
(47,500 lbf ft)
Reaming thrust
1,285 kN
1,285 kN
(289,000 lbf) (289,000 lbf)
1,285 kN
(289,000 lbf)
Installed power
110-160 kW
(150-215 hp)
110-160 kW
(150-215 hp)
110-160 kW
(150-215hp)
Main drive
Hydraulic
Hydraulic
Hydraulic
Dimensions
Height extended 2,900 mm
(115 in)
3,250 mm
(128 in)
3,350 mm
(132 in)
3,250 mm
(128 in)
3,350 mm
(132 in)
Width
1,700 mm
(67 in)
1,700 mm
(67 in)
2,200 mm
(87 in)
Depth
Weight
Derrick
1,650 mm
(65 in)
1,800 mm
(71 in)
2,250 mm
(89 in)
7,200 kg
(15,870 lb)
7,600 kg
(16,755 lb)
11,100 kg
(24,470 lb)
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
44RH
Main specifications
Raise diameter
Nominal
1.5 m (5 ft)
Range*
Raise length
Nominal
Maximum*
Drill pipe
Diameter
203 mm (8 in)
Optional diam.
Length, s/s**
Pilot hole
Diameter
1,219 mm (4 ft)
Optional diam.
Reaming thrust
Installed power
Main drive
Hydraulic
Dimensions
Height extended
Height retracted
Width
Depth
Weight
Derrick
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
90 - 60 (45)
229 mm (9 in)
83
53RH
Main specifications
Models
53RH
53RH-EX
Raise diameter
Nominal
1.8 m (6 ft)
1.8 m (6 ft)
Range*
Raise length
Nominal
Maximum*
Drill pipe
Diameter
Length, s/s
Pilot hole
Diameter
Optional diameter
156 kNm
(115,000 lbf ft)
156 kNm
(115,000 lbf ft)
Reaming thrust
3,350 kN
(754,000 lbf)
3,350 kN
(754,000 lbf)
Installed power
255 kW
(340 hp)
255 kW
(340 hp)
Main drive
Hydraulic
Hydraulic
Dimensions
Height extended
Height retracted
Width
1524 mm (5 ft)
Depth
Weight
Derrick
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
90 - 60 (45)
90 - 60 (45)
raiseboring
73R
Main specifications
Models
73RAC
73RH
73RVF
Raise diameter
Nominal
2.1 m
(7 ft)
2.1 m
(7 ft)
2.1 m
(7 ft)
Range*
1.5-2.4 m
(5-8 ft)
1.5-3.1 m
(5-10 ft)
1.5-3.1 m
(5-10 ft)
Raise length
Nominal
550 m
(1,800 ft)
550 m
(1,800 ft)
550 m
(1,800 ft)
Maximum*
700 m
(2,300 ft)
700 m
(2,300 ft)
700 m
(2,300 ft)
Drill pipe
Diameter
254 mm
(10 in)
286 mm
(11-1/4 in)
286 mm
(11-1/4 in)
Optional diam.
286 mm
(11-1/4 in)
254 mm
(10 in)
254 mm
(10 in)
Length, s/s**
1,524 mm
(5 ft)
1,524 mm
(5 ft)
1,524 mm
(5 ft)
Pilot hole
Diameter
279 mm
(11 in)
311 mm
(12-1/4 in)
311 mm
(12-1/4 in)
Optional diam.
311 mm
(12-1/4 in)
279 mm
(11 in)
349 mm
(13-3/4 in)
4,159 kN
4,159 kN
(935,000 lbf) (935,000 lbf)
4,159 kN
(935,000 lbf)
Installed power
215 kW
(290 hp)
305 kW
(400 hp)
305 kW
(400 hp)
Main drive
Electric (AC)
Hydraulic
Electric (VF)
Dimensions
Height extended 5,550 mm
(219 in)
5,250 mm
(207 in)
5,900 mm
(232 in)
3,600 mm
(142 in)
3,850 mm
(152 in)
Width
1,600 mm
(63 in)
1,600 mm
(63 in)
1,600 mm
(63 in)
Depth
Weight
Derrick
1,900 mm
(75 in)
1,900 mm
(75 in)
1,900 mm
(75 in)
12,000 kg
(26,455 lb)
11,500 kg
(25,350 lb)
13,000 kg
(28,660 lb)
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
85
83RH
Main specifications
Raise diameter
Nominal
Range*
Raise length
Nominal
Maximum*
Drill pipe
Diameter
Length, s/s**
Pilot hole
Diameter
1,524 mm (5 ft)
349 mm (13-3/4 in)
Reaming thrust
Installed power
Main drive
Hydraulic
Dimensions
Height extended
Height retracted
Width
Depth
Weight
Derrick
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
90 - 60 (45)
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86
raiseboring
91RH
Main specifications
Raise diameter
Nominal
Range*
Raise length
Nominal
Maximum*
Drill pipe
Diameter
Length, s/s**
Pilot hole
Diameter
1,524 mm (5 ft)
349 mm (13-3/4 in)
Reaming thrust
Installed power
Main drive
Hydraulic
Dimensions
Height extended
Height retracted
Width
Depth
Weight
Derrick
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
90 - 60 (45)
87
97RDC
Main specifications
Raise diameter
Nominal
Range*
Raise length
Nominal
Maximum*
Drill pipe
Diameter
Length, s/s**
Pilot hole
Diameter
1,524 mm (5 ft)
349 mm (13-3/4 in)
Reaming thrust
Installed power
Main drive
Electric (DC)
Dimensions
Height extended
Height retracted
Width
Depth
Weight
Derrick
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
90 - 60 (45)
raiseboring
123R
Main specifications
Models
123RH
123RVF
Raise diameter
Nominal
Range*
Raise Length
Nominal
Maximum*
Drill pipe
Diameter
Optional diameter
Length, s/s
1,524 mm (5 ft)
Pilot hole
Diameter
Optional diameter
450 kNm
(330,000 lbf ft)
540 kNm
(398,000 lbf ft)
Reaming thrust
8,923 kN
(2,000,000 lbf)
8,923 kN
(2,000,000 lbf)
Installed power
500 kW
(670 hp)
525 kW
(700 hp)
Main drive
Hydraulic
Electric (VF)
Dimensions
Height extended
Height retracted
1,524 mm (5 ft)
Width
Depth
Weight
Derrick
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
90 - 60 (45)
90 - 60 (45)
89
191RH
Main specifications
Raise diameter
Nominal
Range*
Raise length
Nominal
Maximum*
Drill pipe
Diameter
Length, s/s**
Pilot hole
Diameter
D
W
1,524 mm (5 ft)
381 mm (15 in)
Reaming thrust
Installed power
Main drive
Hydraulic
Dimensions
Height extended
Height retracted
Width
Depth
Weight
Derrick
Dip adjustment
from horizontal
90 - 60 (45)
raiseboring
As part of its ongoing commitment to the mining and construction industries, Atlas Copco Secoroc provides
a complete range of pilot bits. Bits designed to meet the most demanding performance and service life
expectations. Whatever rock conditions youre working in, we have the bits to meet the challenge.
raiseboring
91
For any raise bore piloting operation accurancy, bit selection and carbide wear rate are all key in keeping costs down
and efficiency up. Missing the target area and numerous trips to change bits are just two common, potentially costly
problems.
Before starting on a raise project, collect as much information about the site as possible. Find out about the
typical formations, their compressive strengths and
abrasive qualities.
Then pick your bit. The right one is the one that ultimately
yields the lowest cost per metre drilled. As youll
discover, with Secoroc you cant go wrong.
BMHT
Smith
Sandvik
Security
Secoroc MH
BI-V
M84F
Secoroc H
BI-X
Q7JS
SCM
M87F
Secoroc VH
BI-XX
Q9JS
SCH
H100F
A guide to our pilot bits and the equivalent products from other manufacturers.
Selection guide
Hard rock
Secoroc MH
Secoroc H
Secoroc VH
10,000 psi
70 MPa
92
30,000 psi
50,000 psi
210 MPa
350 MPa
70,000 psi
480 MPa
raiseboring
Size
Prod No.
Product Code
Product
Formation
IADC
Pin Conn.
7 7/8"
91000924
117-3200-73-RB-07
Bullseye H
Hard
7-3-7
9"
91000361
117-3228-73-RB-07
Bullseye H
Hard
7-3-7
9 /8"
91000296
118-3250-73-RB-07
Bullseye H
Hard
7-3-7
9 7/8"
91000297
118-3250-83-RB-07
Bullseye VH
Very Hard
8-3-7
11"
91000290
118-3279-61-RB-07
Bullseye MH
Medium Hard
6-1-7
11"
91000313
118-3279-83-RB-07
Bullseye VH
Very Hard
8-3-7
12 1/4"
91000269
118-3311-73-RB-07
Bullseye H
Hard
7-3-7
12 /4"
91000314
118-3311-83-RB-07
Bullseye VH
Very Hard
8-3-7
13 3/4"
91000294
118-3349-63-RB-05
Bullseye MH
Medium Hard
6-3-5
13 /4"
91000370
118-3349-73-RB-05
Bullseye H
Hard
7-3-5
15"
91000383
132-3381-73-RB-05
Bullseye H
Hard
7-3-5
17 /2"
91001026
132-3445-73-RB-05
Bullseye H
Hard
7-3-5
raiseboring
93
Bearing type
Bit sizes: 12"
o-ring sealed journal bearing
Bit sizes: 13"-15"
o-ring sealed roller bearing
Lug/shirttail protection
hardfacing on shirttail
94
raiseboring
12 Any time the pilot hole is open, make sure you dont
drop anything in it. But if you do, be sure to remove
the object before you resume drilling.
Operating parameters
Size
(in)
Design
Makeup
torque range
Weight-on-bit
Bit
weight
Rotary
speed (rev/min)
7 7/8
Secoroc H
16,270-21,015 nm
12,000-15,500 lbf ft
10,630-21,260 kg
23,625-47,250 lb
30 kg
67 lb
50-90
9
Secoroc H
16,270-21,015 nm
12,000-15,500 lbf ft
12,150-24,300 kg
27,000-54,000 lb
35 kg
76 lb
50-90
9 7/8
Secoroc H
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
13,330-26,660 kg
29,625-59,250 lb
64 kg
140 lb
50-90
9 7/8
Secoroc VH
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
13,330-26,660 kg
29,625-59,250 lb
64 kg
140 lb
40-80
11
Secoroc MH
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
14,850-29,700 kg
33,000-66,000 lb
77 kg
170 lb
50-120
11
Secoroc VH
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
14,850-29,700 kg
33,000-66,000 lb
77 kg
170 lb
40-80
12 1/4
Secoroc H
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
16,540-33,075 kg
36,750-73,500 lb
101 kg
224 lb
50-90
12 1/4
Secoroc VH
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
16,540-33,075 kg
36,750-73,500 lb
101 kg
224 lb
40-80
13 3/4
Secoroc MH
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
18,560-37,125 kg
41,250-82,500 lb
130 kg
285 lb
50-120
13 3/4
Secoroc VH
37,963-43,386 nm
28,000-32,000 lbf ft
18,560-37,125 kg
41,250-82,500 lb
130 kg
285 lb
40-80
15
Secoroc H
35,000-45,000 lbf ft
48,400-62,200 nm
20,250-40,500 kg
45,000-90,000 lb
168 kg
370 lb
50-90
The recommended weight-on-bit and rotary speed operational specifications are shown above. The rule of thumb for best rock engagement is: the greater the
weight-on-bit the lower the rotary speed, the larger the bit the lower the rotary speed.
raiseboring
95
ROBBINS
OD*
in
OD*
mm
S/S*
in
S/S*
mm
Box
connection
DI22
Pin
connection
DI22
Wrench
flat (in)
Wrench
flat (mm)
Weight
lb
Weight
kg
8.000
203.2
48
1,220
6.750
6.750
175
385
8.500
215.9
12
305
6.750
6.750
175
170
77
8.500
215.9
21
533
6.750
6.750
175
297
135
175
513
234
175
480
218
175
480
218
175
620
280
175
44
20
175
58
26
8.500
215.9
48
1,220
6.750
6.750
9.000
228.6
48
1,220
6.750
6.750
9.000
228.6
48
1,220
6.750
6.750
9.000
228.6
48
1,220
6.750
4.500
8.000
203.2
8.000
203.2
6.750
6.750
Saver sub
8.000
203.2
20
508
6.750
6.750
175
161
73
8.000
203.2
29.5
749
6.750
6.750
175
390
178
Stabilizer, 6 ribs
9.000
228.6
29.5
749
6.750
6.750
175
390
178
9.000
228.6
29.5
749
6.750
4.500
175
400
180
8.500
215.9
29.5
749
6.750
6.750
175
305
139
8.500
215.9
29.5
749
6.750
4.500
175
395
180
OD*
in
OD*
mm
S/S*
in
S/S*
mm
Box
connection
DI22
Pin
connection
DI22
Wrench
flat (in)
Wrench
flat (mm)
Weight
lb
Weight
kg
8.000
203.2
48
1,220
6.750
6.750
175
385
175
8.500
215.9
12
305
6.750
6.750
175
170
78
8.500
215.9
21
533
6.750
6.750
175
206
94
8.500
215.9
48
1,219
6.750
6.750
175
470
214
9.875
250.8
37
940
6.750
6.625
175
510
230
9.875
250.8
48
1,220
6.750
6.750
175
475
215
8.000
203.2
44
20
8.000
203.2
58
26
6.750
6.750
96
raiseboring
OD*
in
OD*
mm
S/S*
in
S/S*
mm
Box
connection
DI22
Pin
connection
DI22
Wrench
flat (in)
Wrench
flat (mm)
Weight
lb
Weight
kg
9.500
241.3
20
508
8.250
8.250
200
220
100
9.500
241.3
12
305
8.250
6.625
200
200
91
9.500
241.3
60
1,525
8.250
8.250
200
550
250
10.000
254
60
1,525
8.250
8.250
200
550
250
10.000
254
60
1,525
8.250
8.250
200
860
390
11.000
279.4
60
1,525
8.250
8.250
200
1150
522
11.000
279.4
60
1,525
8.250
6.625
200
1025
465
10.000
254
73
33
10.000
254
66
30
8.250
8.250
8.250
209.6
9.5
241
6.625
8.250
200
440
200
11.000
279.4
23
584
8.250
8.250
200
1023
465
10.000
254
29.5
749
8.250
8.250
200
440
200
9.370
238
29.5
749
8.250
8.250
200
422
192
11.000
279.4
16.75
425
8.250
6.250
200
341
155
Starter sub
9.500
241.3
48
1,220
6.625
8.250
792
360
OD*
in
OD*
mm
S/S*
in
S/S*
mm
Box
connection
DI22
Pin
connection
DI22
Wrench
flat (in)
Wrench
flat (mm)
Weight
lb
Weight
kg
11.000
279.4
30
760
9.250
9.250
230
800
364
11.000
279.4
36.5
927
9.250
6.625
230
850
386
Starter sub
11.000
279
48
1,219
6.625
9.250
230
1060
482
11.000
279.4
60
1,525
9.250
9.250
230
1400
636
11.250
285.8
60
1,525
9.250
9.250
230
1060
484
11.250
285.8
60
1,525
9.250
9.250
230
775
350
11.250
285.8
29.5
749
9.250
9.250
230
775
350
Stabilizer, 6 ribs
12.250
311.2
30
762
9.250
9.250
230
655
297
Stabilizer, 6 ribs
12.250
311.2
36
914
9.250
9.250
230
985
467
Stabilizer, 6 ribs
12.250
311.2
60
1,524
9.250
9.250
230
1500
680
12.250
311.2
26
660
9.250
6.625
230
728
331
29.5
749
9.250
9.250
230
572
260
93
42
213
97
11.250
285.8
11.250
285.8
11.000
279.4
raiseboring
9.250
9.250
97
OD*
in
OD*
mm
S/S*
in
S/S*
mm
Box
connection
DI22
Pin
connection
DI22
Wrench
flat (in)
Wrench
flat (mm)
Weight
lb
Weight
kg
12.875
327
60
1,525
10.500
10.500
10
250
1400
635
12.875
327
60
1,525
10.500
10.500
10
250
1550
705
12.750
323.9
30
760
10.500
10.500
10
250
878
399
12.750
323.9
53.75
1,365
10.500
6.625
10
250
1725
784
13.750
349.3
48
1,220
10.500
6.625
10
250
1500
682
13.750
349.3
60
1,525
10.500
10.500
10
250
1605
730
Saver sub
13.750
349.3
25
635
10.500
10.500
10
250
655
297
Saver sub
13.750
349.3
36
914
10.500
10.500
10
250
942
428
12.875
327
139
64
12.875
327
149
68
10.500
10.500
OD*
in
OD*
mm
S/S*
in
S/S*
mm
Box
connection
DI22
Pin
connection
DI22
Wrench
flat (in)
Wrench
flat (mm)
Weight
lb
Weight
kg
12.875
327
60
1,525
10.500
10.500
10
250
1400
636
12.750
323.9
60
1,525
10.500
10.500
10
250
1550
705
12.750
323.9
30
760
10.500
10.500
10
250
878
399
12.750
323.9
53.75
1,365
10.500
6.625
10
250
1725
784
15.000
381
48
1,220
10.500
7.625
10
250
1200
545
15.000
381
60
1,525
10.500
10.500
10
250
1750
795
12.875
327
139
64
12.875
327
149
68
OD*
in
OD*
mm
S/S*
in
S/S*
mm
Box
connection
DI22
Pin
connection
DI22
Wrench
flat (in)
Wrench
flat (mm)
Weight
lb
Weight
kg
13.880
352
60
1,525
11ST
11ST
11
279
1685
764
10.500
10.500
1378 pipe
Raise drill string description
98
raiseboring
Power packs
Main drive pack
Thrust pack
L
W
Specifications
one for thrust. Each unit is built to withstand the harsh
environment in underground mining and uses standard
Atlas Copco components.
Power pack
Length
Height
Width
Weight
metric
imperial
metric
imperial
metric
imperial
metric
imperial
Single pack
3,300 mm
130 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,550 mm
61 inch
5,500 kg
12,125 lb
3,300 mm
130 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,550 mm
61 inch
5,500 kg
12,000 lb
34RH Wide
Single pack
3,300 mm
130 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,550 mm
61 inch
5,500 kg
12,000 lb
44RH
Single pack
3,300 mm
130 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,550 mm
61 inch
5,500 kg
12,000 lb
53RH
Drive pack
2,800 mm
111 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,500 mm
59 inch
Thrust pack
2,200 mm
87 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
Drive pack
2,800 mm
111 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,500 mm
Thrust pack
2,200 mm
87 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
Drive pack
2,800 mm
111 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,500 mm
Thrust pack
2,200 mm
87 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
Drive pack
1,900 mm
75 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
800 mm
Thrust pack
2,200 mm
87 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
34RH Low
53RH-EX
73RH
73RAC
73RVF
83RH
4,250 kg
9,400 lb
2,400 kg
5,300 lb
59 inch
4,250 kg
9,400 lb
52 inch
2,400 kg
5,300 lb
59 inch
4,250 kg
9,400 lb
52 inch
2,400 kg
5,300 lb
32 inch
900 kg
2,000 lb
52 inch
2,400 kg
5,300 lb
Drive pack
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Thrust pack
2,200 mm
87 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
2,400 kg
5,300 lb
Drive pack
3,000 mm
119 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,600 mm
63 inch
4,800 kg
10,600 lb
Thrust pack
2,200 mm
87 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
2,400 kg
5,300 lb
91RH
Drive pack
3,300 mm
130 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,600 mm
63 inch
8,700 kg
11,000 lb
Thrust pack
2,400 mm
95 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
3,300 kg
7,300 lb
97RL
Drive pack
2,550 mm
101 inch
1,500 mm
59 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
1,800 kg
4,000 lb
Thrust pack
2,400 mm
95 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
3,300 kg
7,300 lb
Drive pack
3,300 mm
130 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,600 mm
63 inch
8,700 kg
11,000 lb
Thrust pack
2,400 mm
95 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
3,300 kg
7,300 lb
123RH
123RVF
191RH
100
Drive pack
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Thrust pack
2,400 mm
95 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
3,300 kg
7,300 lb
Drive pack x 3
3,500 mm
138 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
2,000 mm
79 inch
7,500 kg
16,500 lb
95 inch
1,450 mm
57 inch
1,300 mm
52 inch
3,300 kg
7,300 lb
raiseboring
Pipeloader
raiseboring
101
Transporters
Transporters are used for getting the derrick to and
from the boring site. Additionally the transporters are
equipped with hydraulic cylinders for derrick erection
during system setup and derrick take-down after
completion of the raise. Atlas Copco offers different
types of transporters to suit different needs.
Diesel crawler
The diesel powered crawler is equipped with integrally
suspended twin crawler tracks, separately powered by
hydraulic motors. The diesel engine drives two hydraulic
pumps, one for the tracks, and one for the fan/erection.
The track drives are driven by a variable displacement
pump and controlled by two proportional valves, each
valve controlling a dual displacement motor, which in
turn are mounted to planetary-type final drive units.
Diesel crawler
Air crawler
The air crawler is equipped with twin crawler tracks,
integrally suspended and separately powered by a
hydraulic motor in each track with dual displacement,
mounted to planetary-type final drive units The hydraulic
pump is driven by an air motor. In order to operate, the
crawler must be supplied with compressed air at max.
6 bar (90 PSI) and minimum 15 m3/min (500 ft3/min) air
supply. The air motor also drives a hydraulic pump for
powering the erection system. There is also an airdriven 24 V generator on the crawler for supply of its
electric circuits. The erection system comprises two
proportionally controlled hydraulic cylinders. Controls
are either radio remote or via an umbilical cord.
Air crawler
Sled
The sled is the simplest form of transporter. Skids
are provided on the sled to enable the derrick to be
transported and positioned by use of an independent
mine transport source. The hydraulic erection cylinders
of the sled must be connected to the hydraulic system of
the raiseboring machine for derrick erection and derrick
take-down. An optional electrical powered power pack
can be supplied.
Sled
102
raiseboring
Ancillary Tools
Tools
Starter bushing
The starter bushing is used during pilot hole start up, together with the starter sub and starter pipe to initiate an
accurately aligned pilot hole. The starter bushing is installed at the machine worktable when drilling of the pilot
hole begins. The inner diameter of the bushing is machined
to provide a snug interaction with the outer diameter
of the starter sub and starter pipe. The reason for this is
to decrease the pilot hole deviation. See picture above.
Blooie assembly
This kit is used to charge the pipeloader clamp accumulator and the drive motor accumulators with dry nitrogen.
Included in the kit is a special fitting compatible with
those commonly found on dry nitrogen bottles and
a regulator or pressure reducing valve with gauge
assembly. The outlet hose of the regulator connects to
the charging nozzle on the accumulator. The regulator is
used to adjust the charging pressure.
raiseboring
103
Upgrades
104
raiseboring
upgrades
RCS upgrade
The new Rig Control System (RCS) follows a well-proven
Atlas Copco standard featuring CAN-bus. It is totally enclosed in a waterproofed envelope designed for outdoor
and underground use under severe conditions. All components involved have been developed and long-term
tested in extreme conditions.
The control is fully electrical, eliminating the need for
pressure hoses and gauges at the console. Optional
functions include hydraulic oil level, oil temperature and
filter monitoring. Function of the pipehandling system
raiseboring
105
Upgrades
raiseboring
upgrades
raiseboring
107
MARKET MATERIAL
Conversion table
This unit
Times
Equals
Length
mm (millimetre)........................ x 0.001 (10-3).............= m
cm (centimetre)......................... x 0.01........................= m
dm (decimetre).......................... x 0.1..........................= m
km (kilometre)........................... x 1 000 (103).............= m
in (inch)...................................... x 25.4........................= mm
ft (feet)....................................... x 0.305......................= m
yd (yard).................................... x 0.914......................= m
mile............................................ x 1609.......................= m
Power
J/s (joule/second)...................... x 1.............................= W
Nm/s (newton metre/second)... x 1.............................= W
kW (kilowatts)............................ x 1 000.....................= W
hk (metric horse power)........... x 735.5......................= W
hp (horsepower UK, US).......... x 745.7......................= W
ft.lbf/s......................................... x 1.36........................= W
Btu/h........................................... x 0.29........................= W
Volume
l (litre)......................................... x 0.001......................= m3
ml (millilitre).............................. x 0.001......................= l
dm3 (cubic decimetre).............. x 1.0..........................= l
cm3 (cubic decimetre)............... x 1.0..........................= ml
mm3 (cubic millimetre) . .......... x 0.001......................= ml
in3 (cubic inch)........................... x 16.39......................= ml
ft3 (cubic feet)............................ x 28.316....................= l
Imperial gallon.......................... x 4.546......................= l
US gallon................................... x 3.785......................= l
Ounce (Imp. fluid oz)................ x 28.41......................= ml
Ounce (US fluid oz)................... x 29.57......................= ml
Pint (US liquid).......................... x 0.4732....................= l
Quart (US liquid)....................... x 0.9463....................= l
yd3 (cubic yard)......................... x 0.7646....................= m3
Force
kN (kilonewton)......................... x 1 000.....................= N
kp (kilopond)............................. x 9.81........................= N
kgf (kilogramme force)............. x 9.81........................= N
Ibf (pound force)....................... x 4.45........................= N
Torque (moment of force)
kpm (kilopondmetre)................ x 9.81........................= Nm
Ibf in (poundforce inch) ........... x 0.11........................= Nm
Ibf ft (poundforce foot)............. x 1.36........................= Nm
Equals
Divided
This
by unit
108
This unit
Times
Equals
Mass
(commonly but incorrectly called weight)
g
(gramme).
............................... x 0.001.................... = kg
t (tonnes, metric)....................... x 1 000................... = kg
grain.
.......................................... x 0.0648.................. = g
oz
(ounce)..................................
x 28.35.................... = g
ozt
(troy
ounce).........................
x 31.10.................... = g
lb
(pound)..................................
x 0.4536.................. = kg
ton
(long,
US).
.
..........................
x 1 016.................... = kg
ton
(UK).....................................
x 1 016.................... = kg
ton
(short).
.
................................
x 907....................... = kg
Speed
(velocity)
km/h
(kilometre/hour).
.............. x 0.2777.................. = m/s
m/s
(metre/sec).........................
x 3.6........................ = km/h
mile/h.........................................
x 0.45...................... = m/s
mile/h.........................................
x 1.61...................... = km/h
ft/s
(foot/second).......................
x 18.29.................... = m/min
ft/min
(foot/minute)..................
x 0.3048.................. = m/min
Frequency
blow/min.
................................... x 0.017.................... = Hz
kHz
(kiloHertz)...........................
x 1 000................... = Hz
rev/min.
.
.....................................
x 0.01667................ = r/s
degree/second.
.
.........................
x 0.1667.................. = r/min
Pressure
bar..............................................
x 100....................... = kPa
bar..............................................
x 100 000 (105)....... = Pa
2
kp/cm
........................................
x 0.98...................... = bar
atm
(atmosphere).....................
x 1.01...................... = bar
2
psi
(pounds/in
).........................
x
6.895.................... = kPa
psi.
.
.............................................
x
0.06895................ = bar
Area
mm2 (square mm)..................... x 0.000001 (10-6).... = m2
cm2 (square cm)........................ x 0.0001 (10-4)........ = m2
in2 (square inches).................... x 645....................... = mm2
ft2 (square feet).......................... x 0.0929.................. = m2
yd2 (square yard)....................... x 0.8361.................. = m2
Acre . ......................................... x 4 047.................... = m2
Square mile............................... x 2.590.................... = km2
ha (hectare)............................... x 10 000................. = m2
Equals
Divided
This
by unit
raiseboring
Atlas Copco
No surprises
Raiseboring
in Mining and Construction
2008
www.atlascopco.com