Factors to Consider When Choosing Subsurface Drilling Equipment

Underground diamond drilling is similar to surface drilling, but there are still some differences to consider. These differences come into play when selecting drilling equipment.

Different Targets

Subsurface drilling involves defining the drill with a focus on production and speed - you don't want to slow down the extraction portion of the operation. Given this focus, it is important to achieve optimal permeability. A coring bit that cuts the rock well and has a good rotation speed can provide better drilling speeds.

Water Well Drilling Rig     

Unknown versus the known ground

Most mines have been in operation for many years, so the type of rock is not a mystery. Several holes have been drilled, so the team will know what to expect and surprises will be rare. In addition, because you know the type of ground, you can choose a higher crown so you need to change bits less often.

Drilling depth

In subsurface drilling, most of the time the holes are not as deep as, for example, 200 meters instead of 1000 meters. This may lead the divisional drill to choose conventional drilling methods instead of using cable drilling methods. The finer cut found in the coring bits used in conventional drilling can increase the drilling speed.

Drill hole orientation

In underground drilling, holes can be drilled in a downward, upward, or inclined direction. These different orientations may mean that you may have to choose a different matrix for your core bit. In some drilling conditions, you may need to change the matrix you normally use downhole before going up a layer when drilling upward. For example, if you are drilling a downhole, there will be more weight on the bit due to the weight of the drill pipe. Once you drill in an upward hole, the weight of that rod will be gone and you will need to compensate with a softer matrix in a higher series.

Low Power Drilling Rigs

Typically, underground drilling provides less space for drilling rigs, so they tend to be smaller and less powerful. When drilling with low-powered rigs, especially when drilling upwards, you will need coring bits with softer substrates. As mentioned above, softer carcasses contain easily exposed diamonds, which keep coring bits sharp, cut well, and provide good penetration even when using equipment that does not provide the required feed pressure.

Conclusion.

We all realize that the choice of drilling equipment is the most important decision and will have a significant impact on your drilling performance. While the type of surface is an important factor, there are other factors to consider when drilling underground that are also important. Our technicians can provide other helpful tips for underground drillings, such as Always trying to use a used coring bit when starting underground drilling. Cutting a hole in the ground can damage the bit, so avoid using a new bit and choose a bit that is already worn.

If you want to know more information about types of drilling rigs, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.