Drilling machines used in underground mining are essential for various operations, such as creating tunnels, shafts, and production holes. These machines come in different types, each designed for specific applications:
1. Jumbo Drills:
- Function: Primarily used for drilling holes in the rock face for blasting in underground mining. They have multiple booms and can drill several holes simultaneously.
- Types: Single-boom and multi-boom jumbos.
- Features: Equipped with hydraulic rock drills, automated drilling controls, and often used in tunneling projects as well.
2. Longhole Drills:
- Function: Used for drilling longer holes in mining applications, typically for ore extraction.
- Types: There are top-hammer and down-the-hole (DTH) versions.
- Features: Capable of drilling straight and angled holes, they are crucial for stope production drilling.
3. Raiseboring Machines:
- Function: These machines create vertical or inclined shafts, which are used for ventilation, ore passes, or service shafts.
- Operation: A pilot hole is drilled downwards, and then the reaming head enlarges the hole as it is pulled back up.
4. Rotary Drills:
- Function: Often used for drilling large-diameter blast holes in open-pit mining, but can also be adapted for underground work.
- Features: They use rotary cutting action to penetrate hard rock formations.
5. Rock Bolting Machines:
- Function: Used to stabilize rock faces and tunnels by installing rock bolts.
- Features: These machines drill small diameter holes for bolts, and then the bolts are inserted and anchored to provide stability.
Key Considerations:
- Automation and Remote Control: Many modern drilling machines are equipped with automation features, enhancing safety and efficiency.
- Safety Features: Machines often have reinforced cabins, dust suppression systems, and monitoring technologies to ensure operator safety in the hazardous underground environment.
- Maintenance and Durability: Underground mining machines need to be robust and easy to maintain due to the harsh working conditions.
