Summary

This review describes the current state of technology of the equipment and technical processes involved in mine drilling. Topics covered include consultants and suppliers of drilling equipment, the types and varieties of drilling equipment available on the market, the cost and technical characteristics of drillers, educational opportunities relative to drilling, jobs and employment involving drilling, and the safety and health requirements for drillers in both ore exploration and open pit mine and underground mine operation and closure.

---

INTRODUCTION

Drill, blast, load, truck, crush, and process; these operations are at the heart of mining. Here is an overview of drilling from suppliers to technology to equipment. Follow this review with TechnoMine's review on blasting.

If you have more relevant information about drilling than appears in this review, please contact us at gregf@infomine.com or jcaldwell@infomine.com and help us spread the word and keep the users of InfoMine informed & up-to-date.

PUBLICATIONS

Here are a few recent articles from International Mining that cover the topic of drilling: Exploration Drilling, Sampling and Surveying (Feb 2008), Deposit Drilling (Feb 2009), and Better Blastholes (June 2009).
Or better still, go to the Atlas Copco Technical Publications Repository site for complete technical and equipment information on drilling (note: free registration is required - click on New User Request). Also look at one or more of these manufacturers - they all have equipment and systems that may meet your needs:

• Bucyrus International, Inc.
• Halco Drilling International
• Fordia
• Layne Christensen Company
• Boart Longyear
• FlexIT
• Rockmore International