Anglo drill program puts CT tech through its paces

MinEx CRC has demonstrated the abilities of technology billed as a cheaper and greener drilling option through deep cover rocks in work with Anglo American in the Boulia region. They have completed a 12-hole 5000m drilling program with the Coiled Tubing (CT) drilling platform, showing its capabilities in real-world undercover exploration scenarios. The program saw the CT rig deliver high-quality cuttings samples at 1m intervals through the cover rocks and then switch to coring mode, delivering 3m to 9m of basement drill core in each hole. These holes recovered Proterozoic basement rocks beneath 400 to 450m of cover material. Anglo American regional head of discovery Martin Roberts said the savings in consumables and reduced surface disturbance had been a real plus for the drilling campaign. "This trial has helped us to rethink how we will continue to explore rapidly beneath deep cover rocks with cleaner and greener methods, in line with our FutureSmart Mining approach,” he said. Drilling through cover in rotary mud and percussion mode, the CT rig consistently achieved penetration rates well over 100m per 12-hour shift, including a new record for the CT rig of 232m in a single shift. MinEx CRC has developed the CT platform in collaboration with industry partners Anglo American, BHP, Epiroc, LKAB Wassara and South 32. “It’s no secret that the mining industry needs to reduce its environmental impact and improve safety standards on an international scale,” MinEx CRC chief executive officer Andrew Bailey said. “Developing low-carbon technologies such as wind turbines, electric vehicles, and solar panels require critical minerals to be extracted from the ground. “This technology provides a cheaper, faster, safer and cleaner alternative for companies to explore for these minerals more effectively through deep cover.” The CT drilling platform occupies a drill site of 20 x 20 metres, significantly smaller than required for conventional drill rigs in a comparable drilling scenario. Average water consumption during the Anglo American program was approximately 60 litres per metre, less than 1/8th of the water consumption of conventional rigs in the same drilling scenario. Average diesel consumption was approximately three litres per metre, producing significantly lower CO2 emissions than conventional rigs in the same drilling scenario. MinEx CRC and Schramm have agreed upon a commercialisation agreement to build the CT rig and associated hydraulic processing system. Subject to orders for CT systems being placed, Schramm will manufacture all CT rigs in Adelaide, South Australia.

Anglo drill program puts CT tech through its paces

Industry Queensland

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