New high-tech mining tools to reduce danger to operators
The prototypes were the culmination of an open innovation challenge by the country’s mining industry to develop new rock drills launched in 2018.
Two new high-tech drill prototypes were set to take the South African industry by storm by not only enhancing drilling operations but also reducing the dangers operators were exposed to.
The two new prototypes – unveiled by the Mandela Mining Precinct – were also expected to contribute to the targeted zero harm in mines.
The prototypes were the culmination of an open innovation challenge by the country’s mining industry to develop new rock drills launched in 2018.
“The Isidingo [need] Drill Design Challenge was launched with specific industry criteria detailing what is needed to improve efficiencies and reduce harm at the mining face,” Mandela Mining Precinct programme director Martin Pretorius said.
He said the challenge was divided into three phases – the introduction of a new and innovative rock-drill concept design; prototype construction association with testing and monitoring and manufacturing and underground performance testing.
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Two local companies were then selected to develop the prototypes –Novatek and HPE.
“The tests successfully illustrated both company’s adherence to the primary criteria of enhancing the performance of the drill, reducing the exposure of operators to dangerous conditions and contributing to zero harm,” Pretorius said.
Novatek managing director Julian Wills said the drill needed to be as light as possible and robust, which was “not easy”.
“Our strengths lie in hydropower and strope drilling rigs and we are guided by the development of appropriate technology.
“This is part of our internal value system advocating for technology that must be appropriate for the type of mining, infrastructure, resources and the skills of the end-user,” he said.
Meanwhile, HPE director Ulrich Kienle said the development of their drill prototype was a “company-wide effort”.
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“An important aspect for the HPE way is that any concept must be safe, cost viable and meet all set KPIs…if those cannot be met, we do not have a product,” he said.
Kienle added the production of a “high-performance and robust” new drill would be a game-changer for their industry.
He said their prototype drill allowed for drilling to be possible in three ways – through a novel new hole gilde puller, a strope drill jig or through a “conventional manner” with a thrust leg.
Novatek’s drill, on the other hand, was said to incorporate a spring shaped like a buffalo’s horns which embodied its strength, accuracy and speed.
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