The first twin boom drilling and cable installation rig will make its debut on Australian shores later this year.
Designed for production drilling and rock reinforcement, Atlas Copco’s twin boom Cabletec drilling and cable installation rig features components from the company’s longhole and production rig and a second boom for grouting and cable insertion.
With a reach of up to 7.8 m, the rig can drill bolt holes up to 30 m long for cut-and-fill or sub-level stopping applications.
It is equipped with an onboard automated cement making system (and logs the cement mix for long-term reference) and a rig control system.
Atlas Copco’s Tunnelling and Mining Business Line Manager Stevan Topalovic said Australian minesites were currently employing a one boom rig.
“The one boom drills first and all the break-away dirt is left to fall on top of the boom. Once the drilling is completed, cables are installed and the remaining gaps are filled with cement. This is a standard process, however, this means the maintenance times are much higher,” Topalovic told MINING DAILY.
“With two booms, one is responsible for the drilling, while the other is responsible for installation. Maintenance time is greatly reduced as the dirt and debris does not fall on the boom responsible for installing the cables.”