Introduction
The excavation or drilling in rocks becomes extremely complicated when working in confined spaces and if you need to drill holes with large diameters. Often the length and diameter of these perforations becomes impracticable due to the cost of time and labor. In view of these problems, a simple, compact and really solution was created: raise boring.
Overview of raise boring
Raise boring was created by James Robbins in 1962 and consists of a machine that performs a drilling process in the ground and is used in heavy construction and mainly in mining. It consists of a rotary excavation equipment that makes vertical or inclined holes, but instead of performing this drilling from top to bottom like the common drill, it performs this drilling from the bottom up.
You may ask yourself: but if I am digging from the bottom up, the excavated material will go all the way down and will burry the equipment, correct? You are wrong. The equipment performs this drilling from the bottom up and it is installed at the top and ends up bringing more security to the service.
How does raise borer works?
Once installs the equipment in the upper part of which will perform the drilling, the equipment uses a drill with diamond called tri-cone and connects small sessions that are interconnected thus making a pilot hole with small diameter. Once this future pilot was executed reaching the desired level, the drill is removed and connects enlarging crown with the required diameter.
With this, raise boring performs the rotation and compression movement of the crown with the rock and performs the excavation while material accumulates in the lower level. To get the most modern notion, raise boring machines can perform drilling up to a kilometer length and 7.5 m in diameter making services that should take months for its implementation and will last a few weeks with a reduced hand Labor.
To sump, here are the key steps in raise boring ((4) What Are the Advantages of Raise Boring in Underground Mining? | LinkedIn, n.d.)
Preparation Phase
The operation begins with meticulous planning and site preparation, including surveying the drill path, securing the work area, and setting up the raise boring machine.
Drilling Phase
The raise boring machine commences drilling upward, utilizing advanced drill bits and cutting tools to create the desired shaft diameter. This process continues until the requisite depth or length is attained.
Reaming Phase
Upon reaching the target depth, the drill string is removed, and the hole is reamed to its final diameter using specialized reaming heads or reamers.
Completion and Installation
Following drilling and reaming, the shaft is reinforced with casing or lining, and additional support structures may be installed as needed to ensure structural integrity and stability.
The advanatages of raise boring ((4) What Are the Advantages of Raise Boring in Underground Mining? | LinkedIn, n.d.)
Raise boring offers several advantages mainly in underground mining. Let explore some of those benefits.
Enhanced Safety
Raise boring significantly reduces the risk of accidents and injuries associated with manual drilling and blasting methods. The use of automated raise boring machines minimizes exposure to hazardous working conditions and improves overall safety for personnel.
Precision and Accuracy
Raise boring machines offer unparalleled drilling precision and accuracy, resulting in vertical shafts with minimal deviation or errors. This precision ensures optimal alignment and functionality of the shafts for ventilation, ore transport, and personnel access.
Cost-effectiveness
While initial equipment and setup costs may be higher, raise boring ultimately proves more cost-effective than traditional drilling methods. Faster drilling speeds, reduced downtime, and increased productivity contribute to lower overall project costs and improved ROI.
Environmental Sustainability
Raise boring generates less noise, vibration, and dust compared to conventional drilling techniques, minimizing environmental impact and preserving surrounding ecosystems. This eco-friendly approach is particularly advantageous in environmentally sensitive areas.
Operational Flexibility
Raise boring is highly versatile and adaptable to various mining applications, including ventilation shafts, ore passes, escape routes, and service shafts. This flexibility allows for efficient and customized solutions tailored to specific mining requirements.
Improved Accessibility
Vertical shafts created through raise boring provide easier access for equipment, personnel, and materials between different mine levels. This enhanced accessibility streamlines logistics and operational processes, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity.
Conclusion
To sum up, raise boring revolutionizes underground excavation by offering a safer, more efficient, and precise method for creating vertical shafts. Its ability to minimize environmental impact, reduce costs, and improve operational flexibility makes it an indispensable technique in modern mining. By combining advanced technology with optimized processes, raise boring delivers enhanced safety, accessibility, and sustainability. This innovation ensures faster project completion and better resource management, driving the mining industry forward.
Reference
(4) What are the Advantages of Raise Boring in Underground Mining? | LinkedIn. (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-advantages-raise-boring-underground-mining-rock-drilling-tools-o4koc/
