Connors completes exploration hole to 8,688-ft depth

The hole was drilled with Longyear’s CHD 76-mm coring equipment, using a Longyear Hydro “55” drill. Connors is the first non- Longyear contractor to be introduced to this new hydrostatic deep- hole rig manufactured by Longyear Canada of North Bay, Ont.

The initial targeted hole depth was 6,000 ft. However, once that depth was achieved, the client requested the hole be taken to 8,000 ft. Longyear series 2 bits averaged close to 400 ft of drilling each from the 6,000-ft level to the 8,688-ft completion depth.

The Hydro “55” all hydraulic diamond core drill rig consists of a drill assembly and a separate remote power pack. The main hoist is a planetary gear type. Hydrostatic power allows the operator stepless, fingertip control of hoisting speed with a single lever within each gear range in either forward or reverse direction.

In an effort to help standardize end-use products, the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA) has been corresponding with the Diamond Core Drill Manufacturers Association (DCDMA).

Last year the CDDA became a member of the International Drilling Federation. This membership entitles all manufacturing members of the CDDA to join the DCDMA at the reduced cost of $250(US).

During the past 14 years, 368 students have attended classes at the Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology in northern Ontario to obtain the fundamentals of drilling.

Many of these students have remained in the industry and have become valued employees in the field and in sales.

German researchers and engineers are working on what they hope will become the world’s deepest hole close to the Czechoslovak border in Bavaria. Their drilling rig is 40 m high.

Experts at Germany’s Agency for Geo-Science and Raw Materials are hoping their drilling rigs will reach a depth of 14 km, penetrating the deepest stratum of the earth’s crust.

The budget for the 8-year project is 450 million DM ($230 million(US) in today’s dollars). It is hoped it will be possible to study not only the rock, minerals and ores in the earth’s crust, but also the tectonic movements of two of the earth’s plates at great depth.

The special equipment designed for this study will have to cope with extremely hard materials, penetrating granite-like rock masses and withstanding temperatures of up to 300 degrees C.

The U.S.S.R. claims the world record in deep-hole drilling. That country’s experimental drilling on the Kola peninsula reached a depth of more than 12,000 m. But after 16 years of drilling, the Soviets report slow going and increased difficulties.

At present, the limit of commercial drilling is around 10,000 m, achieved by the U.S. in the Berta Rogers natural shaft. The deepest holes drilled to date in Europe are between 7,000 and 8,500 m.

Underground training videos for new personnel have been put together by the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA) in co-operation with N. Morissette Canada and assisted by Quebec’s Association Paritaire Secteu r Minier.

Safety: Part 1, 19 minutes and 41 seconds in length, is available to CDDA members for $175 plus shipping, and to non-members for $350 plus shipping. Safety: Part 2, 12 minutes and 11 seconds in length, is available to members for $125 plus shipping, and to non-members for $250 plus shipping. Both videos are available in English and French.

The Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA) recently announced the creation of a work methods safety course.

The course is designed to be presented in the field at the working drill sites. It does not have to be presented in its entirety at all times.

Purpose of the safety topics is to make people aware of hazards. There is no guarantee, the CDDA says, such a safety course will eliminate accidents or incidents, but it is designed to make the employee think and remain alert.

Contact the CDDA for a list of topics and prices of the video presentations.

]]>