RAPID-ly changing the diamond drilling landscape
THE mining industry has long relied on a single shot or ‘gyro’ survey instrument to determine the drill hole path and it’s deviation.
However, these instruments have limitations, as single shot data is often magnetically affected and can be difficult to interpret; and gyros are expensive, sensitive instruments that can be difficult for operators to use.
Adding to this, previous uphole surveys required an exhausting, manual labour intensive process of the drill rods being run in and out of the hole, where a 300m uphole survey would take about two hours of hard labour.
Over the last two years, Downhole Surveys has been developing a solution to provide high speed, continuous surveying, while still offering a driller-operated survey instrument that is easy to run and produces highly accurate data.
After thorough R&D and onsite trials, the DeviFlex RAPID was introduced in January 2017 and has since delivered several productivity and operational improvements to a number of mine sites across Australia.
The DeviFlex RAPID performs a continuous survey, taking readings every two or five seconds as the instrument is run into the hole.
With an increased survey speed of 25 metres per minute, a 300m drill hole can now be surveyed in/out in just 24 minutes.
Now, upholes with a dip range between +85 and +30 can be easily surveyed in conjunction with a Boart Longyear Roller Latch, with the DeviFlex being simply pumped up and control winched back using the water pressure bleed valve.
Drillers currently using the DeviFlex RAPID are reporting an increase of between 10 and 15 per cent more metres drilled per month due to the reduced rig down time associated with downhole surveying.
Rework is significantly reduced, the instrument is highly reliable, and the software is simple and intuitive.
The DeviFlex RAPID can also be paired with the company’s 13 stage QA Software which allows drillers to process survey data at the rig, increasing data reliability and drilling productivity.
More information can be found at: www.downhole.com.au/products/ deviflex-rapid/.