Atlas Copco

Production Drilling
in Underground Mining

Production Drilling in Underground Mining

Printed matter no. 9851 2558 01

First edition 2008

2008

www.atlascopco.com
We always take a hard view on costs

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looking for new and effective ways to squeeze your produc-
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Contents
Foreword Product specifications
    2 Foreword by Mikael Ramström,   65 Modular program with maximum flexibility
Product Line Manager,   67 Tophammer drill rig specifications
Underground Drilling Equipment
  78 Hydraulic rock drill specifications
Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
  79 Tophammer drilling equipment
Talking technically 100 ITH drill rig specifications
104 ITH rotation units
   3 Percussive rock drilling
105 ITH drilling equipment
   9 In-The-Hole (ITH) vs tophammer drilling in
underground mining 107 Rod Handling System (RHS)
  13 Drilling long straight holes 108 Hydraulic feeds
  19 Automated long hole drilling 109 Drill rig options
  27 Faster Simba rigs set the pace 110 Secoroc grinding
  33 Increased productivity with ITH drilling 118 Rock drill specifications
  37 Tuning up your drilling system 119 Complementary equipment
  39 Computer based training for rock drilling tools 124 Lubrication
  41 The economic case for routine bit grinding 125 Service workshops
126 Conversion table
Case studies
  45 Exploring the potential of El Aguilar
  47 Increasing drilling rates at Ridgeway
  49 Sub level caving for chromite at Ferbasa
  53 First Cabletec cable bolting rig in South America
  55 Innovative mining at Garpenberg Front cover: Simba M7 C production drilling rig
  61 Automated longhole drilling with Simba at LKAB at the Garpenberg mine, Sweden.

Produced by Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB, SE-701 91 Örebro, Sweden, tel +46 19 670 70 00, fax 019-670 73 93. Publisher: Ulf Linder, ulf.linder@se.atlascopco.com
Production Manager: Anna Dahlman Herrgård, anna.dahlman.herrgard@se.atlascopco.com Editor: Mike Smith, mike@tunnelbuilder.com
Senior Adviser: Hans Fernberg, hans.fernberg@se.atlascopco.com
Contributors: Alf Stenqvist, Björn Samuelsson, Bo Persson, Fredrik Öberg, Hans Fernberg, Leif Larsson, Patrik Ericsson,
all name.surname@se.atlascopco.com. Craig Griffiths, craig.griffiths@lkab.com Håkan Schunnesson, hakan.schunnesson@ltu.se,
Kyran Casteel, kyrancasteel@aol.com.
Digital copies of all Atlas Copco reference editions can be ordered from the publisher, address above, or online at www.atlascopco.com/rock.
Reproduction of individual articles only by agreement with the publisher.
Edited by Mike Smith, tunnelbuilder ltd, United Kingdom. Designed and typeset by ahrt, Örebro, Sweden. Printed by Prinfo Welins Tryckeri, Sweden.

Legal notice
© Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB, Örebro, Sweden. All product names in this publication are trademarks of Atlas Copco.
Any unauthorized use or copying of the contents or any part thereof is prohibited. This applies in particular to trademarks, model denominations,
part numbers and drawings. Information in this publication is provided “as is”. Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB disclaims any representation or warranties
of any kind including without limitation warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement or content. In no event
will Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB be liable to any party or any damages for any use of this publication. The contents, including illustrations and photos,
in this publication may describe or show equipment with optional extras. It may also contain references to products or services that are not available
in your country. This publication, as well as specifications and equipment, is subject to change without notice. Consult your Atlas Copco Customer
Center for specific information.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 1

Foreword
Welcome to our first reference edition focusing on produc-
tion drilling. This book is derived from our series entitled
Underground Mining Equipment following the recent dra-
matic growth in the importance and sophistication of produc-
tion drilling.
With the rise in demand for most minerals, mining companies
are having to respond with rapid increases in safe production,
both to satisfy their customers and to maximize profits after
a prolonged period of price stagnation.
Atlas Copco, as a world leader in the manufacture and supply
of mining equipment, is meeting the challenge with the Simba
series of highly efficient drill rigs to suit various underground
production situations. These rigs incorporate the latest RCS
computerization techniques and their modular design allows
customers to specify the drill unit, feed length, rockdrill, and
optional equipment to suit a variety of drill patterns. A whole
range of compatible tophammer and Secoroc ITH equipment
is available, including shanks, drill string and bits. We even
produce the grinding equipment necessary to get the best out
of each bit!
The underground drilling environment is made safer thanks
to our Boltec, Cabletec and Scaletec rigs, all of which are
helping increase the utilization of our Simba rigs. Continuous
innovation ensures that Simba rigs stay ahead, with drill bit
changers, laser rig alignment and positioning units adding
utilization, while computerized drill plans, strata logging and
onboard communications systems fine tune drilling quality.
As a result, Simba rigs can be equipped to drill continuously
through meal breaks and shift changes, reporting every move
to the office!
Mikael Ramström
Product Line Manager
Underground Drilling Equipment
Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
mikael.ramstrom@se.atlascopco.com
2 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
The trend to faster drilling is accompanied by higher pro-
ductivity, while improved accuracy with less hole deviation
means the hole bottom is closer to the preplanned coordinates,
leading to better ore recovery and less waste dilution.
For room-and-pillar and similar lateral mining techniques we
produce a range of Boomer rigs, while for smaller operations
where compressed air may be the only available power, we
still produce our handheld pusher rock drills.
When designing, manufacturing, selling and servicing Atlas
Copco equipment, we rely on our long heritage to produce
high-productivity machines that achieve the best return on
customer investment. Our worldwide presence through offices
in over 130 countries ensures that we are close to our custom-
ers, sharing their problems and understanding their methods
and applications. Their inputs are crucial to our engineers,
whose job is to continuously develop our products and sys-
tems in order to maintain our market leadership.
In this book we describe our underground production drilling
products, their applications, and their specifications. We hope
this will stimulate technical interchange between underground
miners, managers and consultants, universities, and our own
sales and marketing organization, resulting in better commu-
nication and collaboration.
Above all, we wish to make it easier for our customers to
select the right equipment for their particular application, for
more efficient production and a safer environment, so that we
continue to be the supplier of first choice.
 Talking Technically

Percussive rock drilling

A century of drilling s
and development
5200 m/s
Over the last 100 years or so there
have been rapid and impressive
+
increases in efficiency and pro-
ductivity in tophammer drilling. –
Technical development started
from hitting a steel manually by a
sledgehammer, through pneumat-
ic handheld drills and rig-mounted
multiple drills, to today’s high-
frequency hydraulic drills with
optional automatic control utiliz- 2 x piston length
ing state-of-the-art technology to
achieve top efficiency.

Principles Figure 1: Stress level in shock wave.

In percussive tophammer drilling,
energy is transmitted from the rock
drill via the shank adapter, drill steel
and drill bit to the rock, where it is used
for crushing.
A pneumatic or hydraulic rock drill
generates the energy required to break
the rock. A pressure is applied on drive
area a or b (in Figure 2), which drives
the impact piston forwards and back-
wards.
The impact piston of a hydraulic rock
drill strikes the shank adapter typically
50-60 times per second, a frequency of
50-60 Hz, although there are examples
of rock drills with much higher frequen-
cy like the COP 3038, which operates
at 102 Hz.
The entire system of rock drill, drill
steel, bit, and rock contact must harmo-
nize for maximum drilling economy
Stress waves
Theoretically, the stress wave has a
rectangular shape, and a length of twice
that of the piston. The stress amplitude
depends on the speed of the piston at the
moment of impact, and on the relation-
ship between the cross-sectional area
of the piston and that of the drill steel.
It takes about 0.004 second for a stress

Figure 2: Principle of tophammer drilling.

machine housing shank adapter drill rod drill bit

impact piston damping piston coupling sleeve rock

drive area drive area flushing hole

a b
rotation splines

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 3

 Talking Technically
Piston 1
– 0,8 MPa
Piston 2 – 12 MPa
Piston 3 – 20 MPa
2 pressive type.
1 With a sharp bit, or when there gen-
Shock-wave amplitude
Figure 3: Stress levels generated by different pistons of same weight.
wave to reach the rock using a 20 m
long drill steel.
The total stresses that the wave
contains are indicated in Figure 1. To
calculate the output power obtained
s
Reflecting wave
+
–
Primary wave
Figure 4: Nature of drill string
‘recoil’ or reflecting wave.
from a rock drill, the wave energy
content is multiplied by the impact
frequency of the piston, and is usu-
ally stated in kilowatts (kW). Two
rock drills having the same nominal
power rating might have quite different
properties. Rock drill design engineers
seek to find the best combinations
of various parameters, such as the
piston geometry, the impact rate and the
frequency for the application in mind.
4 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
3 reflecting waves (see Figure 4).
The shock waves that are generated
by hydraulic and pneumatic rock drills
are significantly different in shape. Drill
rods used with hydraulic rock drills will
normally show substantially longer ser-
vice life, compared with pneumatic rock
drills, because of the higher peak stress
level obtained with the latter’s piston.
The reason is the larger cross-section
needed on the impact piston when oper-
ating at the lower pressures (6-8 bar) of
pneumatic systems compared to the
150-250 bar of hydraulic systems. The
more slender the piston shape, the lower
the stress level (see Figure 3).
In addition, a higher impact pressure,
a longer stroke length, and less piston
weight give a higher impact velocity
and a higher drill steel stress. Another
consideration is that, for any given per-
cussion pressure, the stress in the drill
steel will be higher with reduced cross-
section of the drill rods.
Figure 3 compares the stress level
generated by three different pistons
having the same weight, but differ-
ent shapes and working at different
pressures. The lowest stress, or shock
wave amplitude, is obtained with the long
slender piston working at high pressure.
Efficiency and losses
The wave loses some 5-7% of its
energy for every additional coupling,
as it travels along the drill string. This
loss is partly due to the difference in
cross-sectional area between the rod
and coupling sleeve, and partly due to
imperfect contact between the rod faces.
The poorer the contact, the greater the
energy loss.
When the shock wave reaches the bit,
the buttons are forced against the rock,
thereby crushing it. The efficiency at the
bit never reaches 100%, because some
of the energy is reflected as recoils or
The recoils can be of tensile or com-
erally is a shock wave with a too high
energy content, or when there is poor
rock contact, we get tensile wave reflec-
tions.
The poorer the contact between
the bit and the rock, the less is the bit
­efficiency.
With a worn bit, or when we have
a shock wave with too low energy con-
tent, we get compression wave recoils.
Both recoil types cause damage to the
drill steel and rock drill, but the damage
can be reduced with an ­efficient damper
arrangement (see Figure 11, page 7).
Percussion pressure
It is only when drilling in sufficiently
hard rock that the maximum achievable
energy per blow can be utilized. In soft
rock, the percussion pressure, and thus
the energy per blow, will have to be low-
ered to reduce the recoils.
To get the longest possible service
life from shank adapters and rods, it is
important to ensure that the working
pressure (and impact energy) is matched
to the rock conditions and the drill
string at all times (see Figure 5).
Feed force
Drill feed maintains the drill bit in close
contact with the rock to get benefit from
the shock waves. However, the bit must

Percussion pressure
Soft rock Hard rock
Figure 5: Percussion pressure is lowered in
softer rock to reduce reflected energy.
Feeding
Low percussion High percussion
pressure pressure
Figure 6: Feed force must be match-
ed to percussion pressure.
Figure 7: Relationship between impact
frequency and drill bit rotation.
still be able to rotate. The feed force
must always be matched to the percus-
sion pressure.
To do this, the feed force is increased
until the joints are well tightened (but
still easy to loosen) at a good penetra-
tion rate. Further increase will cause
deviation and shorter ­service life of the
drill steel due to problems with uncou-
pling the rods from a high tightening
torque.
In the case of poor feed, the penetra-
tion rate will drop, and probably the
rotation torque will not be high enough
to tighten the couplings, which will run
‘open’. The service life of the drill steel
will thus be shortened.
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 5
Figure 8: Working relationship between bit diameter (x-axis) and speed of rotation for a given drill.
If the impact pressure (and power) is
increased, the required feed force will
be increased (see Figure 6).
Rotation
The purpose of rotation is to turn the
drill bit to a suitable new position for the
next blow, giving the bit a correct index-
ation. Using button bits, the periphery
is turned about 10 mm between blows.
Consequently, the rotation rate needs
to be increased using higher impact
frequency and reduced bit diameter (see
Figures 7 and 8). If the actual rotation is
not smooth for a fixed impact frequency,
shank adapter life will be reduced.
When using insert bits instead of
button bits, the recommended rotation
rate is 10-20% higher.
Flushing
Drill cuttings are removed from the hole
bottom to the surface by water flushing
or air blowing, or a combination (water
mist). As the power output from rock
drills increases, giving increased pen-
etration rate, efficient flushing becomes
more important. The flushing capacity
must be increased with larger bits and
larger difference between the bit and
rod size diameters
The required flushing speed will
depend on:
Talking Technically
• specific gravity and particle size –
the larger or heavier the particles,
the higher the flushing speed that is
required;
• particle shape – spherical particles
require more speed than flaky, leaf
shaped particles.
A rule-of-thumb is that the flushing
speed in the hole should be a minimum
of 0.5 m/s for water flushing and 10
m/s for air flushing (or water mist). The
flushing medium is normally water for
underground drilling.
Setting parameters
The drilling parameters for percussion
pressure, feed force, and rotation must
harmonize, in order to optimize drilling
economy.
In practice, the driller sets the per-
cussion pressure to get an acceptable,
but not excessive penetration rate, and
then sets the rotational speed with
regard to the percussive frequency and
bit diameter.
When drilling starts, the feed
is adjusted to get even and smooth
­r otation. If this is not achieved, the
percussion and feed pressure can be
progressively reduced. Smooth and even
rotation will result in good ­penetration
and long component ­service lives.
Lost energy, representing low effici-
ency, will result in excess heat generation.
 Talking Technically

Soft/Medium hard rock Hard rock Very hard rock

10,000 psi 30,000 psi 50,000 psi 70,000 psi

70 MPa 210 MPa 350 MPa 480 MPa

Figure 9: A range of rock types and hardnesses, which can be tackled by rock drills successfully.

The temperature of the adapter sleeve
can be checked to ensure that the
drilling parameters are correctly set.
Immediately after drilling, the tem-
perature should be approximately 45
degrees C when drilling with water
flushing and about 60 degrees C for
air flushing. Atlas Copco provides
a temperature gauge: part number
P/N 9850 8715 00. Loose couplings will
cause drilling problems, but they can be
tightened during drilling by increasing
the friction of the bit against the hole
bottom. This can be done by increasing
the feed, increasing or decreasing the
rotation rate, or by changing the bit.
Additional factors in
longhole drilling
There are some special parameters that
have to be borne in mind for longhole
drilling.
Water entry: The entry of water
into a rock drill and the hydraulic

Figure 10: Comparison of properties for the two stroke lengths in the COP 2550UX rock drill.

Impact Impact Impact

Power (kW) Pressure (bar) Energy (J)

26 260
Percussion Data COP 2550UX
25 250 550 Feed Force
Stroke length 3

24 240
6
23 230 Stroke 3 500

22 220
r

8
we
Po

21 210
gy

450 Stroke length 2

er
En

20 200
r
su

5
es

4
Pr

19 190 P
400 E E E=
18 180 f
1
P= Impact power
17 170
E= Impact energy
3 350
Stroke 2 f = Frequency
16 160

15 150

14 140 300

Equal Impact Energy

13 130

12 120 250
A changed stroke length and impact pressure
11 110 can maintain the impact energy
10 100 2 7 200
but increse the frequency and the impact power.

38 40 45 50 54 Frequency (Hz)
The chart shows indata for impact pressure 180 bar with stroke length 3 (intersection 1).
The frequency is read to 40 Hz (2), the impact power at this frequency is 16,8 kW (3) and the impact energy is 420 J (4).
By changing to stroke length 2 and maintain the impact energy 420J (5) the impact pressure needs to be set to 238 bar (6).
The frequency achieved is 53 Hz (7) and the new impact power is 22,2 kW (8).

6 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


1 the rock and, therefore, the penetration
3 strokes 2 and 3 give high impact ener-
“floating”
position
Figure 11: Hydraulic double damper.
system may, especially when in com-
bination with drill cuttings, lead to
premature wear and failure of rock
drill and hydraulic system components.
Consequently there will be high run-
ning costs and downtime.
This risk can be limited by using
a drill collar assembled on the shank
adapter when drilling upwards. Worn
out flushing seals must be changed
immediately. The new COP 2550UX
rock drill has extra seals to cope with
high flushing pressure and prevent
water ingress, especially in drilling up-
holes. Water from the ‘tell-tale’ hole at
the front of Atlas Copco drills gives a
signal to the operator when the seals are
worn out.
Dirt entry: Dirt in combination
with water will cause heavy wear and
reduce the service life of components.
All Atlas Copco rock drills sold on
underground drill rigs have pressurized
mating surfaces, which means that the
lubrication air pressure, generally 2-3
bar, is applied to the mating surfaces
and cavities for the tie rods, preventing
dirt entry.
Heavy drill strings: A heavy drill
string may cause problems, especially
when drilling long holes downwards
with tube drill strings such as TDS 76
and TDS 87. The high contact pressure
at the bit leads to high rotation torques,
which may lead to problems with
uncoupling the threads and high wear
on the driver in the rock drill. With an
extractor device, uncoupling the tubes
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 7
2 a lower impact energy and a higher fre-
Constant
1 oil flow
8 Stroke length 2 in Figure 10 is thus more
4
5
7 6
can be eased, even if the drill string is
not stuck. With a hanging drill string,
the extractor helps the percussion in
­‘rattling loose’ the drill string.
Adapting impact power to
rock and bits
The concept of impact power can be
confusing, since a combination of high
energy and low frequency can give
equally large power as for low energy
and high frequency. Two rock drills
having the same nominal power rating
might therefore have quite different
properties.
Simplified, impact energy require-
ment derives from rock properties
and the hole dimension. Increased
­frequency, and the power, then gives a
higher penetration rate.
Atlas Copco’s COP 1838HE drill is
especially developed for long hole drill-
ing with a bit diameter 76-89 mm. The
impact piston has two different stroke
lengths, giving ‘two rock drills in one’.
COP 2550UX is a new 25 kW rock
drill for T51 drill steel with a bit diam-
eter 76–115 mm. It also has two stroke
positions, and is supplied with a power-
ful hydraulic extractor to save time and
drill steel.
Figure 10 shows the impact power as
a function of the impact rate for stroke
lengths 2 and 3. The corresponding
impact pressure at each graph point is
shown in black. There is also a compari-
son of the same impact energy for the
Talking Technically
two strokes. For soft rock or small bits
quency is preferable because each blow
contains enough impact energy to crush
rate increases the higher the frequency.
suitable because, for a certain (low)
energy, it gives the highest frequency.
For hard rock or large bits high
impact energy is required to crush the
rock. With the COP 2550UX, both
gies if the pressure is raised. Stroke
length 3 has a lower frequency and is
thus most suitable if the input power is
limited. If not, stroke 2 can be used.
This means also that a rock drill does
not necessarily have to be run at its rated
impact power to perform optimally. The
impact energy required for the actual bit-
rock combination is much less than the
maximum impact energy.
A change between stroke lengths
but at the same impact pressure does
not normally require any change in
feed force. It is therefore advisable to
choose a rock drill with as much impact
energy as needed to crush the rock, but
not excessively high, and the frequency
set as high as possible to get the best
penetration rate.
Obviously a rock drill cannot be
tuned to deliver the ‘ideal’ shock wave
energy to crush the rock throughout the
drilling operation. The bit gets worn and
so the ideal energy amount increases,
but it’s possible to set the parameters to
a good compromise.
Hydraulic dual damper
Atlas Copco’s more recently devel-
oped hydraulic rock drills like COP
1838-series and COP 4050MUX have a
dual-damping system. This is an effec-
tive device for giving a good ‘­suspension’
of the drill string just as it absorbs com-
pression recoil energy.
Older models like COP 1238ME
have a hydraulic single-stage damping
system, which is less effective and lacks
the energy-absorbing feature, but still is
better than drilling without damper.
The dual-damping system pro-
vides good contact between the bit
and rock to increase penetration rate,
and give a good tightening torque on
 Talking Technically
12a
12b
Figures 12a and 12b: Operation of a hydraulic extractor.
coupling threads. It also increases shank
adapter and drill steel service lives.
Referring to Figure 11, the basic
reflex damper system consists of a
damping piston (1), accumulator (2) and
shank adapter (3). The impact piston
is (4). When the reflected shock wave
knocks the damper piston backwards (to
the right), the pressure rapidly rises in
the chamber (5) as the check valve (6) is
closed. This forces oil in chamber (5) to
be released to the oil reservoir (7) over
the edge (8). This absorbs the energy
by means of heat. At the same time, the
accumulator (2) is charged, to provide
a fast movement of the damper piston
back to establishing contact again with
the shank adapter (3).
A good way of checking that a cor-
rect feed force is applied is to monitor
the damper pressure. When drilling
horizontally it should be kept constant
at a certain level depending on the
rock drill model, the drill steel and bit.
8 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
When drilling upwards, the damper
pressure will increase due to the
increased weight of the drill string, and
the opposite when drilling downwards.
Atlas Copco longhole drill rigs have
a control system feature called DPCI
(Damper Pressure Controlled Impact),
which senses the damper pressure and
maintains set impact pressures depend-
ing on the damper pressure.
Hydraulic extractor
A major contributor to overall produc-
tivity and economy in longhole drilling
is Atlas Copco’s device, the hydraulic
extractor, which is optional on all Atlas
Copco hydraulic rock drills for longhole
drilling.
The extractor is comparable to a slid-
ing hammer and it eliminates jamming
in the hole, but can also be used to ease
loosening of joints during longhole
drilling downwards. In Figure 12a, the
impact piston (on the right) has hit the
shank adapter and started a return stroke
away from it. The extractor piston has
been hit by the shank adapter through
the collar on the middle of the shank.
The extractor piston ‘bounces’ on the
hydraulic fluid (red) and hits the shank
adapter again, but in the right direction
to free a stuck steel, as ­indicated by the
‘feed force’ arrow.
Feed system
In order to obtain controlled rotation
torque for good, but not excessive, cou-
pling tightening, Atlas Copco uses its
RPCF (Rotation Pressure Controlled
Feed) feature in the drill control system.
If the rotation pressure (and torque)
increases, the feed force is reduced, and
vice-versa, in a controlled way. If the
rotation pressure gets excessively high,
the feed is reversed (anti-jamming) in
order not to get stuck.
The drilling equipment performs best
when the feed is applied in a controlled
and smooth way. A hydraulic cylinder
feed gives a smoother operation than a
chain driven feed.
Set parameters
All final settings must take place at
the face, where the effect of parameter
changes can be assessed properly.
Atlas Copco gives thorough general
instructions on how to set the initial
rock drill parameters at every start up
of a new rig.
By using the Atlas Copco-developed
drilling simulation program Diarot, one
can predict drilling performance and
give settings recom­menda­tions in order
to optimize drilling for the conditions.
Again, all final settings must take place
on site in any case.
Hydraulic rock drill
suitability
See the separate machine specifications
in the final section of this reference edi-
tion as regards the suitable conditions
for each drill model.
Fredrik Öberg
 Talking Technically

In-The-Hole (ITH) vs tophammer

drilling in underground mining
Pneumatic and
hydraulic
Until the late 1960s, pneumatic
tophammer drilling, employing
around 6 bar pressure, was the
logical choice for the full variety of
holes needed in an underground
mine. Raiseborers employing
rotary drilling were introduced to
supercede conventional manual
stoper drilling using ladders and
timber platforms, or the Alimak
method. By boosting mine air
pressure up from 6-7 bar to 10-11
bar, down the hole (DTH) hammer
drilling became feasible, and was
used mainly for holes requiring
high accuracy, such as for drain-
age, cables and long hole winzes
and raises.
For production drilling in open
stoping, the down the hole drill
became popular, especially in
Canada. It could be used for drill-
ing in all directions, including
up holes, and the term DTH, as
used in surface applications, was
dropped in favour of the more
descriptive ITH for underground
work. Pneumatic tophammer Figure 1: Simba M6 C production drill rig with ITH.
drills were progressively replaced
by more-efficient hydraulic rock Figure 2: Influence of bedding and foliation on drilling.
drills, and the pneumatic pres-
sure was increased in stages up to
25-28 bar for the new generation In case α is greater than 15° the
of ITH hammers. hole deflects perpendicularly
to foliation (bedding).
Tophammer drilling
The main drawback with tophammer
drilling is the in-hole deviation that li-
mits the practical hole length. As the
magnitude of deviation is exponential
to the hole length, tophammer holes are
normally restricted to around 30 m. Pene-
trating structured rock with strong foli-
ation and bedding properties can cause
deviations of up to 5-10% (see Figure 2).
As a result, many mines avoid drill-
ing holes deeper than 20 m, unless guide
rods are added directly behind the bit,
or drill tubes are used. In these cases,
the deviation can be expected to decrease

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 9

 Talking Technically

to 3-5%. Figure 3 illustrates the problem

with tophammer drilling patterns in a
Typical influence typical sub level stoping application. The
of bedding on long problem is, in fact, three-dimensional, and
hole tophammer can produce excessive burden and toe spa-
drilling in sublevel cing, resulting in misfires or poor ­frag-
open stoping, max mentation.
hole length 30 m
ITH drilling
The penetration rate of ITH rock drills
is almost proportional to the applied
air pressure, so an increase to 28 bar
will almost treble the net penetration
achieved using 10.5 bar. As water mist
drilling is necessary underground for
dust suppression, there is a net penetra-
tion loss of some 20% compared to dry
drilling on the surface.

Positive features of ITH

• Straight holes – normally the in-hole
deviation is maintained within
+/-0.5% (max +/-1%). This means
that hole lengths up to 75 m are
commonly used in large mines, such
Ore boundaries
Designed hole direction
Actual hole direction as El Soldado and Mount Isa, with
Critical area for fragmentation negligible hole deviation. Such hole
accuracy can result in substantial
Figure 3: Typical influence of bedding on long hole tophammer drilling in sublevel open stoping, maximum savings in the development of dril-
hole length 30 m. ling drifts, as the sublevels can be
spaced further apart. A prerequisite
is that the orebodies have adequate
Parallel hole drilling Radial hole drilling

2.0 6.50 size and regular ore/waste bound-

2.50
aries. Less hole deviation means
controlled fragmentation of blasted
15.00 m 15.00 m material, resulting in less drawpoint
50° 45° hang-ups, less secondary breaking,
3.70
less blockages of ore passes and
chutes, and better overall economy of
1.500
1.50 3.70

materials handling. The usage of ITH

Undercut drilling using tophammer at El Soldado, Chile
drilling challenges the mine planner
Parallel hole drilling Radial hole drilling
to a new dimension of stope design
30°
C
and geometry. As actual versus de-
3.5 3.5
signed hole pattern and location coin-
E
cides well, the ore/waste ratio can
50 to 75 m
50 to 75 m
A
B
be better controlled. Figure 4 shows
the drill ­pattern used at El Soldado,
Shaft

CORTE

B
where 64 mm tophammer drilling is
A´ used for establishing the trough un-
E
C´ dercuts, combined with 165 mm ITH
45.0° 45.0°
drilling for downhole bench drilling
Section Plan drilling level from the sub level above. In order
Production drilling pattern using ITH at El Soldado, Chile to get best usage of the larger holes,
the layout of this level resembles a
surface bench used at quarries and
Figure 4: Tophammer and ITH drilling patterns.
open pits.

10 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

• Longhole raises can be better devel-

oped, with higher precision.
• Less risk of getting stuck in fractured
and faulted rock conditions.
• Low noise level at the worksite, as the
hammer is working inside the hole,
close to the bit.
• Simplicity of operation, service and
maintenance means that high avail-
ability of equipment can be expected.
Nevertheless, to obtain high utiliza-
tion, a certain scope of mining is re-
quired. A single rig has a capacity of
about 60,000-80,000 drilled m/year,
depending on conditions, assuming
2 or 3 shifts/day, so yield per rig can
easily exceed 1 million m3, provided
that drill sites are available and this
order of production is required. Conventional tophammer T45/51
As the hammer is always in direct
contact with the bit, no percussive
energy is lost in joints. Hence, the net
penetration rate does not drop as the
hole gets deeper. For tophammer dril-
ling, around 5 % of the percussive en-
ergy is lost at every additional rod
joint.

Drawbacks with ITH Figure 6: Influence of drilling methods on deviation.

• 6-25 bar compressed air pipes have

to be installed on the drilling level, to • High air volume consumption applications, due to the large amount
provide the required pressure boost. • ITH drills larger holes of 90-254 mm. of wet drill cuttings descending to
The normal range is 110  -178 mm, the working site. Installed rock rein-
compared with tophammers at forcement might also be subjected to
51-102 mm. As more explosives are damage.
Crown pillar used per metre of hole, the cracks
after detonation propagate further Summary
away from the hole. As a rule of
thumb, for every additional 25 mm There is no simple answer as to which
4.5 m of hole diameter, the cracks migrate drilling method is preferable. There are
8-15 m one more metre. As a result, draw- advantages and disadvantages with both
point brows and sidewalls in pillars methods. One governing issue is how
much in-hole deviation can be accepted
Typical
cabl e might be overblasted and cracked.
bolting
∅ 51 mm
• Irregular, narrow orebodies cannot for successful blasting results.
drill bit take advantage of the longer and Regarding hole deviation related
Production
drillin g larger diameter holes. to misalignment and collaring errors,
∅ 74 mm
drill bit
• As tophammer drilling constitutes new Atlas Copco drill rigs for both
the only alternative choice for deve- tophammer and ITH drilling are robustly
lopment of drifts, crosscuts, ramps, designed and equipped to keep devia-
rock reinforcement and miscella- tion problems to a minimum. Figure 6
Drawpoint level neous infrastructure, an additional shows differences in hole deviation with
drilling method is being introduced the different methods.
with ITH. Figure 5 shows a topham-
mer Simba used for both cable bolts Hans Fernberg
and production holes.
Figure 5: Tophammer Simba is used for both cable
• Uphole drilling is avoided as much
bolts and production drilling at Zinkgruvan, Sweden.
as possible, except in sublevel caving

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 11

 Talking Technically

Simba L6 C drilling upholes.

12 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

Drilling long straight holes

Avoiding hole Collaring
misalignment
deviation
Collaring offset
To achieve good fragmentation du-
ring blasting, it is important that
the drill holes follow the designed
direction along their entire length.
Two obvious causes of hole devia-
tion, how­ever, are poor hole align-
ment and imprecise collaring,
although in principle these can be
avoided by good working practice
on the part of the drill rig operator.
A third, and less easy factor to over- Planned
come is in-hole deviation, usually hole
owing to the geological conditions
of the rock mass being drilled. Con-
sider, for example, a hole that is
being drilled in rock comprised of a
soft and hard layer separated along
a plane that is not at right angles
to the drilling direction. Depending
on the angle of approach to the
plane of separation, hole deviation In-hole
will arise as a result of the bit deviation
either sliding along the harder ma-
terial, or, alternatively, penetrating
the softer material faster. Only if
the rig operator knows at what Incorrect
depth this plane of separation lies, depth Due to
can he take appropriate action,
such as reducing the percussion
collar error
and feed pressure of the rock drill
when passing from soft to hard or
hard to soft rock. Figure 1: Various causes of hole deviation.

Drilling according to plan
To achieve the required fragmentation
as indicated by the pre-calculated bla-
sting results, it is a prerequisite that the
blast holes are drilled according to the
drill plan. This means that the holes
must be collared in exactly the right
position, and then drilled in the correct
direction and to the exact depth indi-
cated in the drill plan.
Precision in collaring and hole align-
ment can be achieved with proper sur-
veying and mark-ups of the drill pattern
grid, coupled with a drill angle indica-
tor mounted on the drill feed, and a hole
depth instrument.
It is also essential to have a good
view of the collaring procedure from
the operator’s cabin. Various causes of
hole deviation are shown in Figure 1.
The most influential factor in achieving
accurate drill holes is in-hole deviation
during drilling, which is usually a result
of the particular geological characteris-
tics of the rock mass, such as the grain
size, and the degree of fracturing and
foliation. The adverse effect of bedding
and foliation on in-hole deviation can
be clearly seen in Figure 2 where the
drill holes have tended to deviate in
directions at right angles to the jointing
within the rock mass. It is also notice-
able that the longer the drill holes,
the more accentuated is the deviation.
It is often claimed that the amount of
deviation is proportional to the depth
squared.
Experience shows that the approach
angle of the drill bit towards the bed-
ding planes is crucial, and there appears
to be a tendency for the drill bit to pene-
trate the rock in a direction that is paral-
lel to the bedding plane when the angle
of approach is less than 15 degrees. In
contrast, drilling through homogenous
rock, such as isotropic granite with mi-
nor fracturing, results in little or no in-
hole ­deviation.
Drill string bending
Aside from geological conditions of the
rock mass, other perhaps less obvious
in-hole factors can have a marked influ-
ence on hole deviation, such as hammer
specifications and condition, and the bit
and drill string design and condition
(Figure 3).
During the drilling operation, the fric-
tion generated between the drill bit
and the rock induces a torque in the

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 13

 Talking Technically
Figure 2: Hole deviation shown in a wall of varied, jointed rock types.
drill string above a certain drill rotation
rate. The larger the drill string diameter
and the greater the rotation rate, the
higher is the torque necessary, and thus
feed force, to keep the drill string joints
sufficiently well tightened.
At a particular point along the hole,
the drill string will buckle, so that ra-
ther than being straight in the hole it is
supported by the hole wall close to the
midpoint between rock drill and the hole
bottom. For a COP 1838ME rock drill,
with a drill string diameter of 38 mm
and a feed force of 6,400 N at a percus-
sive pressure of 200 bar, this bending
length is approximately 11 m. In practice,
bending occurs at a somewhat shorter
interval since the drill string is never
perfectly straight at the commencement
of drilling.
When the drill string has been ex-
tended to twice the theoretical ­bending
length, it will buckle once more, so that
14 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
Direction of foliation/bedding
it is now supported at two points along
the hole. At three times the theoretical
bending length, the drill string will once
again buckle, and so on with increasing
hole depth.
Assuming the same combination of
drill string, impact force and rotation
rate, rock drills with ‘floating dampers’,
such as the COP 1800-series, COP 2550
and the COP 4050 rock drills require
less feed force to keep the drill string
joints well tightened than those rock
drills incorporating ‘fixed dampers’,
such as the COP 1032 and COP 1238
units. Those rock drills with an axial
bearing between the drill string and the
machine require the greatest feed force
to maintain joint tightness.
Drill bits and regrinding
Also influencing hole deviation is the
geometry of the drill bit face and its
condition, particularly with respect to
regrinding.
From an accuracy point of view, a flat
front bit or a drop centre (concave) front
bit (Figure 5) results in a straighter hole
than a drill bit with a convex front.
It must also be remembered that to
obtain the best hole accuracy with all
drill bits, they must be reground so that
their faces are restored to their original
shape in terms of both the buttons and
the steel, even if this is more time con-
suming than simply ‘polishing’ the but-
tons and not removing any of the steel
between the buttons. In this regard, drop-
centre drill bits are, once again, prefer-
able to their convex counterparts since
the concave shape needs only to be re-
ground such that the profile of the cen-
tral buttons is restored to its original pat-
tern without adversely affecting hole
straightness, even when the concave face
eventu­a lly wears flat through normal
­operation.
If the drill bit face is plane all the way
out to its periphery, the bending moment
in the drill string will be proportional to
the product of the feed force and the hole
diameter, while the lateral displacement
of the drill string will be limited by the
diameters of the drill bit and the drill
string. Thus, if the drill bit is correctly
and frequently reground, the feed force
will be ­directed to the periphery of the
drill bit so that the whole cutting face
is in contact with the base of the hole,
even if the drill string buckles. With
poor and infrequent regrinding, how-
ever, the drill bit may ‘wiggle’ on the
hole-bottom owing to the uneven ­distri-
bution of the feed force, and will sooner
or later result in hole ­deviation.
Drill string considerations
Other things being equal, the larger the
diameter of the drill string, the straighter
the drill hole that will be achieved, since
the drill string diameter has more of an
influence on the bending length than the
feed force (Figure 6). In addition, a larger
diameter drill string increases the safety
margin against ‘wiggling’ (i.e. the ratio
between the maximum bending moment
of the drill string and the bending mo-
ment at which bending occurs) so that less
careful regrinding can be ­tolerated before
‘wiggling’ sets in. This does not mean,
 Talking Technically

however, that larger string dia-meters Out-of-the-hole Operator-related In-hole factors Equipment related
should be deployed in preference to less factors factors factors
careful grinding. Since drill tubes have Set-up errors Drilling parameters Rock conditions
larger diam­eters than drill rods, they
• Wrong set up • Feed force • Grain size • Hammer
result in greater hole straightness. position • Rotation • Fractures parameters and
A complete drill string of tubes is • Wrong set up • Flushing • Foliation condition
often necessary in downward produc- angle • Bit and drill string
tion drilling underground in order to design condition
• Cradle guides
achieve sufficient flushing capacity. • Drill steel support
An attractive alternative is the adop-
tion of a guide tube connected to the
Figure 3: The drill rig operator can eliminate, in principle, many of the factors influencing hole deviation.
drill bit, which, owing to its larger dia-
Less easy to overcome, however, are the geological conditions of the rock mass being drilled and
meter, reduces the possible amplitude of equipment-related influences.
drill bit ‘wiggle’ compared with rods.
Also, as the possible angle of ‘wiggling’
decreases with increasing length of the Importance of rotation than the nominal bending stress. For
guide tube, the guide tube incorporated example, the rotational bending stress
into the drill bit should be as long as If a drill string is buckled, then the in a drill string incorporating 38 mm
possible. buckled section may rotate, whereby the diameter rods with a feed force of
Unlike a drill string comprised solely bit will work over all of the hole bottom. 6,400 N and a hole diameter of 89 mm
of tubes, where the stress waves are In this case, there should be no hole de- is approximately 15 MPa, equivalent to
transmitted via ‘shoulder impact’, stress viation, even if the bit is only in contact around 5% of the stress wave amplitude
waves in a drill string incorporating a with the rock at one or two points at the generated by the piston. In this case,
guide tube are transmitted down the rods periphery. therefore, either the impact velocity of
to the guide tube via ‘bottom impact’. It is more likely, however, that the the piston must be reduced so that the
Thus the guide tube does not suffer from buckled section will not rotate, which stress wave amplitude is 5% smaller, or
premature female thread failure. means that the drill string will be ­sub- the hole may be drilled at a 5% higher
Even though a guide tube will always jected to rotational bending. The ben- impact velocity (corresponding to 5%
result in a marginal decrease in drilling ding moment in the drill string ­corre- higher frequency, around 15% higher
rate (depending only on the cross sec- sponds to the maximum nominal bend- impact power and, hence, a 15% higher
tional area increase relative to the rods ing stress in the drill string, which is rate of drilling) provided that the drill
in the rest of the drill string, rather than measured some distance from the string length is less than the theoretical
the drill tube length), the improved hole threaded ends of a rod. However, stress- bending length.
straightness achieved is normally of concentration factors in areas close to In practice, the operator cannot be
greater value to the mining engineer. the threaded ends result in stresses in expected to reduce the percussion pres-
Another way to minimize ‘wiggling’ these regions that are significantly higher sure simply because the pre-determined
is to use Retrac bits (Figures 7 and 8).
Characterized by a bit skirt with the Figure 4: Button bit with flat front. Figure 5: Button bit with drop centre front.
same outer diameter as the bit head, in
effect a very short guide tube with maxi-
mum possible diameter, Retrac bits have
been developed primarily to improve
retraction of the drill string in difficult
rock ­conditions where the tendency for
jamming frequently occurs. Debris from
the hole is flushed through slots ma-
chined along the bit, and the rear end of
the skirt has a cutting edge between every
slot.
Since the Retrac bit cannot ‘wiggle’
as much as a standard bit with a skirt
that is significantly smaller than the bit
head, hole straightness is, once again,
improved.
However, the use of long guide
tubes will normally result in straighter
holes than those drilled using Retrac
bits.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 15

 Talking Technically
Long hole precision drilling
In-hole deviation as function
of hole length
(Derived from investigations
at LKAB, Kiruna)
15 20 25 30 35 40 m
Drill Strings relating to Diagram
T38 speedrod® T38 speedrod®/
Standard bit
T45 speedrod®/T45 Guide rod/
(old design)/Retrac Bit
TDS 64 tube/TDS 64 tube/Guide Bit
Figure 6: Larger diameter drill strings result in less In-hole deviation as a function of hole depth.
bending length of the drill string has
been exceeded. On the contrary, the
operator requires increased percussion
pressure to counteract the decreasing
drilling rate owing to increasing bit wear.
Therefore, the operator must determine
Figure 7: Bit with Retrac skirt. Drop
centre front and ballistic buttons.
16 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
speedrod
T 38
T45
speedrod
T45
T DS
percussion pressure according to the
particular circumstances, so the drill rig
may be operated at higher percussion
pressures for those holes where the
hole depth does not exceed the bending
length. Alternatively, if the hole depth
Figure 8: Bit with Retrac skirt. Drop
centre front and spherical buttons.
Deviation
1.50 m
rod
G ui d e
1.00 m
be
6 4 tu
0.50 m
Hole depth
exceeds the theoretical bending length,
the percussion pressure must be regu-
lated so that the drill string is not sub-
jected to rotational bending at those
points where it is buckled.
Drill string rotation also gives rise to
another complicating factor with respect
to hole straightness in terms of the
phenomenon of ‘whirling’. Similar to
the ‘critical rotation rate’ for rotating
machines, ‘whirling’ gives rise to a
smaller bending length than for a drill
string that is not rotating, and mathemati-
cally can be shown to be approximately
80% of theoretical bending length of a
stationary drill string.
Non-vertical holes
The bending length referred to thus far
relates only to vertical holes. For slanted
holes, the weight of the drill string gives
rise to bending, so that the drill string
is never straight, and, as with rotational
influences, results in a shortening of the
theoretical bending length as the hole
becomes more horizontal. In benching
and production drilling underground,
the holes are almost vertical however,
and the effect of drill hole angle is nor-
mally negli­gible in these applications.
 Talking Technically

Other factors • A stiff drill string, and small clear-

Although relatively uncommon, an­other
phenomenon is worth mentioning with
respect to in-hole deviation.
During drilling, the piston subjects
the drill string to a pulsed axial stress,
the periodic load of which may theo-
retically initiate resonance vibration,
resulting in plastic deformation of the
drill string close to the joints. This
phenomenon is very rare, how­ever,
owing to the fact that the boundary
condition between the bit and the rock
is never constant. Also, as soon as
the drill string length is greater than
the theoretical bending length, it will
be supported by the hole wall at one or
more points along its length, thereby
inhibiting resonance vibration.
ance between the hole and the drill
string components, will result in
straighter holes.
• For tophammer drilling, Atlas Copco
provides TDS tubes that can be
added behind the drill bit to improve
the flushing and reduce the risk of
the drill string becoming stuck.
• Even more accurate than tophammer
drilling are ITH, COPROD and
rotary drilling, all of which result in
less deviation than with tophammer
drills.
• Less deviation can be achieved
through a combination of reduced
feed force and increased rotational
speed.
• Shorter holes allow the rig operator
to better control the extent of hole Figure 9: Bit with standard skirt and drop centre
deviation. front.

Remedies
From a practical point of view, there are
various ways and means to ­m inimize
hole deviation owing to the factors out-
lined above:
Summary
Clearly it is impossible to completely eli-
minate hole deviation, but with the right
choice of equipment and by utilizing
this equipment in the optimum manner,
the drill rig operator can influence hole
deviation in a positive way.
Patrik Ericsson

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Production Drilling in Underground Mining 17

 Talking Technically

Simba M4 C drilling upholes.

18 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

Automated longhole drilling

Redefining drilling
standards
Since the 1990s, Atlas Copco has
been researching innovative ways
of applying the rapid advances in
computer technology to the speci-
fic needs of the mining and con-
struction industries. The result is
a generation of fully computerized
drill rigs with much improved pro-
ductivity, accuracy and service-
ability.
   Designed with precision drill-
ing, high productivity and swift av-
ailability in mind, the M and L ran-
ges of Simba production drill rigs
are equipped with the Atlas Copco
Rig Control System (RCS), which
is flexible and easily expandable.
Significantly, the technology pro-
vides for varying degrees of rig
automation and, ultimately, the
possibility of fully automated and
remotely monitored drilling.
   These drill rigs are of modulari-
zed design in both hardware and
software, so their functionality is The RCS-based production drilling rigs provide excellent operator's environment and improved
upgradeable step by step. Options drilling performance.
such as Advanced Boom Control
(ABC) Regular, ABC Total, Drill Plan and electric influences. For production The EDS electrical direct control sy-
Handling, Full Drill Data Handling
(FDDH) and communication prod-
drilling rigs, the flexibility of the system stem is an extension of the DCS control
ucts are available to facilitate qua- is highly utilized, and can be adapted system, utilizing electrically controlled
lity drilling. Atlas Copco has appli- and configured for all different types hydraulic valves instead of, or in con-
ed the same new automation tech- of applications. Customers can start at junction with, conventional hydraulic
nology for all drilling equipment a low level of automation and, as their valves. The system is common on small
such as Boomer drill rigs, Boltec
rock bolting rigs, raise borers,
requirements change, can upgrade the and medium size Simba drill rigs.
the Cabletec cable bolting rig, the functions. New functionality can be ad- The RCS succeeded the Electrical
Scaletec scaling rig and ROC sur- ded, without major rebuilding of the Control System (ECS) in 2001, when the
face crawler rigs as well as under- rigs. latter became obsolete. RCS is intended
ground loaders and trucks. The current generation of drill rigs for all kinds of automation in both basic
is designed for high productivity, accu- and more advanced rigs. All Atlas Copco
Rig Control System rate drilling, and a comfortable working computerized rigs are equipped with
environment for the operator. RCS technology, which activates hydra-
RCS, which is a CAN-bus based system ulic valves around the rig by an elec-
using standard PC-computer technol- Evolution of RCS trical signal from a PC rather than a
ogy, has facilitated a quantum leap for- switch or a lever on the operator's panel.
ward with respect to logging capabili- The Atlas Copco direct control system Not only does this provide for advanced
ties, serviceability and drilling accuracy DCS is designed for basic drill rigs. DCS automation, proportional-type valve
of drill rigs. CAN-bus systems use a provides the operator with basic manual control, and incorporation of timers
single cable that interconnects a series functionality, such as manual boom po- and parameter-based rock drilling con-
of electronic components and allowing sitioning, and manual drilling and rod trol, but it also allows the system to be
them to communicate with each other. handling. Although common on small upgraded by installing new software at
The electronic modules are all developed Boomer drill rigs, the system is only the worksite.
solely for the rigs, and are ruggedized available for the Simba 157 and Simba The simplicity of the system means
and protected from external magnetic 1257 production drilling rigs. that the driller does not have to be an

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 19

 Talking Technically

Advantages Disadvantages electrical engineer or an IT technician

to operate, maintain or even upgrade a
- Automation not possible
rig, yet still benefits from electronic and
DCS
- Basic and robust - Line-of-sight remote control not
  possible computer technology in increasing pro-
EDS - Automation not possible ductivity and decreasing drilling costs.
- Basic and robust - Less control functions for
- Remote control panel - line of
  sight (LOS)
  the drilling process
Levels of automation
RCS - Depending on automation level With the RCS platform established,
- Full automation possible   the RCS may require a more
- Designed for built-in optional   extensive training programme Atlas Copco has been able to engineer
  functionality a wide variety of new automated func-
- Can be upgraded in the field tions for all of its RCS drill rigs aimed
- Easy to maintain and adjust
- Simple hydraulic and at lowering costs while increasing per-
  electrical system formance.
- Low maintenance cost The Simba M and L ranges of longhole
- Easy to operate, with good
  man-machine interface drill rigs can be engineered to three dif-
- Less hose metres ferent levels of automation: ABC Basic,
ABC Regular and ABC Total.
Included in all Simba RCS systems
is a standard level of automation, ABC
Points for and against various control options.
Basic. It consists of computer controlled
boom and feed movement allowing ac-
curate proportional movement. Also in-
Different levels of automation can be achieved for major drill rig operations. cluded are: system monitoring and fault
diagnostics; data loading procedure;
Advantages ABC Basic ABC Regular ABC Total angle indication of feed position; hole
Operation length indication; basic logging; manual
- Drill rig operation drill unit positioning; and manual rod
  Man-machine interface   
handling functions.
Drill rig set up There are two optional levels of ABC,
- Angle indication 
namely Regular and Total. ABC Regular
 
- Manual drill positioning   
- Automatic drill positioning n/a   provides a medium level of automation,
- Automatic anchoring n/a n/a  assisting the operator to accurately posi-
Rod handling tion, align and drill holes to the required
- Manual rod handling system    depth, and to gather drilling data for of-
- Automatic rod handling system n/a
fice analysis. For a Simba drill rig, ABC
 

Drill control Regular includes the ABC basic func-

- Hole length indication
- Advanced drill control
   tionality plus: automatic rod handling
  
- Automatic drill control (one-hole-auto) n/a   and one-hole automatic drilling; boom
- Breakthrough automatic stop n/a   position feedback on operator’s display;
- Detection of worn out drill bit
- Automatic fan drilling
   logging of drilled hole on PC-card which
n/a n/a 
can be analyzed in the office, using the
Logging functionality
- Statistic logging
Ore Manager software. Options to ABC
  
- Maintenance logging    regular cover navigation to mine coordi-
- Drill quality logging    nate system; bit changer for tophammer
- Measure While Drilling (MWD)    drill rigs; drill plan handling without
System monitoring full fan automation, but with automatic
- Basic system monitoring
- Rock drill surveillance system


  positioning help. ABC Total enables a
 
- Smart oil leakage shutdown access    complete fan to be drilled automatically,
Rig communication and data exchange
converting the operator’s role to that of
- Basic communication    supervising the drill rig. For production
- Mine text massage system    drilling applications, a single operator
- Rig Remote Access (RRA)    can handle several rigs by just starting
PC software the autonomous drilling of the com-
- Ore Manager n/a   plete fan, and then move over to the next
 Equipped as standard;  Optional; n/a not available option drill rig. ABC Total for a Simba drill
rig includes the ABC Regular func-
tionality plus: automatic fan drilling

20 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


from pre-selected drill plan; manual
sequence and position teach-in to pre-
pare for a fully automatically drilled fan;
automatic drilling, with manual positi-
oning, automatic collaring and drilling;
hole to hole move strategy; hole sequ-
ence programming; and computer gui-
ded positioning of boom and feed ac-
cording to a pre-selected fan plan.
Drill rig operation
Common to all automation levels is the
man-machine interface (MMI), which
provides the operator with a simple and
logical graphical display of different func-
tions for drilling control, such as the rig
angle, current drilling parameters, rig
monitoring and fault detection.
The interface incorporates an Atlas
Copco display and control panel unit mo-
unted either in the cabin/canopy on the
drill rig or on a remote trolley linked to
the rig by a CAN-bus cable.
Logical control makes the system easy
to learn and, importantly, on-screen gauge
displays eliminate the requirement for
hydraulic hoses to be linked to the con-
trol panel or fed into the cabin.
Drill rig setup
A hole alignment accuracy of within
±0.1 degree is attainable with the Simba
L and M rigs as electronic sensors
provide graphical information on the
operator's display regarding the drill's
rotation angle and tilt angle, or fan in-
clination. The operator can configure
the direction of rotation and locate the
zero points according to the mine’s drill
plan. Collaring angles for each hole can
be logged and stored if the drill-quality
logging option is installed.
Manual drill unit positioning is fitted
as standard on all the Simba M and L
drill rigs, whereby the drilling unit and
feed extension are manually operated
from the control panel. Proportionally
controlled valves help the operator to
quickly establish the required feed di-
rection using the joysticks while pre-
programmed drill unit rotation end stops
prevent accidental damage to any hoses.
To speed up feed positioning in cases
where the drill plan handling option is
used there is an additional function cal-
led Automatic Angle Adjustment (AAA).
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 21
The RPCF keeps the rod joints tight.
By simply holding down a button on the
control lever the feed will be positioned
in a fast and accurate way according to
positions defined on the drill plan.
Further automation during rig setup
can be achieved at the ABC Total level
with the automatic control of the drill
rig stingers and feed extension during
anchoring and de-anchoring.
Rod Handling System
To satisfy current drilling demands, a
Rod Handling System (RHS) is includ-
ed on Simba rigs. Depending on the se-
lected drill string, the RHS allows the
operator to use either Speedrods or TDS
tubes. TDS tubes improve hole straight-
ness and flushing speed whilst minimiz-
ing the risk of the rods becoming stuck
in the hole. The RHS, which incorpo-
rates pre-programmed interlocks to
prevent the rock drill and rod handling
arms from hitting each other, can be
operated manually with the position le-
ver and buttons on the operator's panel.
By automating the rod handling sequ-
ence, which is included in ABC Regular
and ABC Total, more drill metres per
shift can consistently be achieved, most
notably as a result of drilling during
breaks and shift changeovers. Operators
need only to key in the required depth
to initiate automatic collaring and dril-
ling of a hole, including automatic ad-
dition of rods during the drilling sequence
and removal when drilling reaches the
pre-determined depth. To simplify drill
bit changes in mid-hole, the system will
automatically feed rods into the hole
Talking Technically
after the bit change and continue dril-
ling to the required depth in one se-
quence.
Drill control
Drilling to a precise hole-length is pref-
erable to estimating the number of rods
necessary to complete a hole. All three
automation levels offer an indication of
hole length on the operator's graphical
display panel, together with penetra-
tion rate. This latter information can be
particularly helpful in fine tuning the
system or when testing different drill
bits, and in giving a better understand-
ing of what is actually happening in the
hole.
Advanced rock drill control is now
made possible using RCS, with the RCS
platform providing smoother control of
the drilling operation, minimizing drill
steel stress and improving the penetra-
tion rate. These benefits are achieved
through control algorithms incorporated
into the system. To maintain maximum
penetration rates in different ground
conditions, as well as in different drill-
ing directions, the Rotation Pressure
Controlled Feed (RPCF) algorithm ad-
justs the drill feed-pressure depending
upon the measured rotation pressure. As
well as improving the penetration rate,
this maximizes the life of the shank
adapter, tubes/rods and drill bits by en-
suring that the tube/rods joints are tight-
ened with a constant torque throughout
the whole length. This can also make rod
removal easier as it is unlikely that the
joints will be too tight. The Dampening
 Talking Technically
Pressure Control Impact (DPCI) algo-
rithm, meanwhile, ensures that the drill
bit has good contact with the rock du-
ring high percussion periods by adjust-
ing the percussion pressure according
to the measured damping pressure. This
protects the rock drill from striking in
open air or with full power in loose rock
formations.
Finally, an anti-jamming function
reverses the feed of the rock drill when
excessive rotation pressure alerts the sy-
stem to a jam, and re-initiates the col-
laring sequence for the hole.
Automated drill control, on the other
hand, enables a hole to be drilled to a
pre-determined depth in an automatic
sequence that includes automatic collar-
ing for the first rod. The collaring length
can also be adjusted via the operator's
display and control panel to suit varying
rock conditions. Together, these features
result in much smoother collaring than
can be achieved by manual drill control
22 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
Drill rig monitoring and
diagnostics. Abnormal
operational events
recorded and stored in
the Event Log
(a, above), coupled
with colour coding and
descriptions of various
cables and modules
(b, above right) make
fault finding (c, left)
easier and faster.
and, importantly, help to minimize hole
deviations.
Several other automated drill func-
tions can be incorporated to the Simba
M and L rigs.
Breakthrough Automatic Stop (ABC
Total and optional on ABC Regular)
terminates drilling when the bit enters
a lower level, thereby preventing the po-
tential costly loss of the drill string.
Automatic detection of worn-out drill
bits can alert the operator when the drill
bits have exceeded preset values and
need replacing. This is done by measur-
ing the drilling sequence time.
System monitoring and
logging functionality
As with all the other drilling opera-
tions, various levels of automation can
be achieved for system monitoring, data
logging and downloading functions.
The Simba M and L rigs are equipped
at all automation levels with a basic
system of monitoring vital rig param-
eters. Added protection to the drill can
be provided by the rock drill lubrication
surveillance system, which terminates
drilling if the rock drill lubrication air
pressure and/or lubrication oil level and
pressure fall due to insufficient levels.
Maintenance logging, a tool that draws
the operator's attention to any uncharac-
teristic rig performance, is included in
all levels of automation. Should key rig
or rock drill operating parameters, such
as hydraulic oil temperature and level,
percussion pressure or rotation pressure
exceed pre-set thresholds, the control
function will identify the condition. In
these instances, rig and rock drill para-
meters will then be monitored and logged
according to pre-set sampling times. By
downloading and evaluating the data,
technicians can identify drilling prob-
lems owing to abuse, poor preventative
maintenance or extreme drilling condi-
tions.
Accidental loss of hydraulic oil can
be detrimental, both in terms of cost for
the mine and the environment. Protec-
tion against such leakages is available
through the smart oil leakage shutdown
system, whereby the rig is shut down
and the operator alerted with an on-
screen message, if the control system
detects a hydraulic oil leakage exceed-
ing preset values.
The Simba M and L rigs are also eq-
uipped to log basic statistical data such
as percussion hours, which can be down-
loaded onto a PC card by the operator.
This tool is useful for service schedul-
ing. Percussion hours for each individual

Direct menus on the display allow required information to be found quickly, including (bottom right clockwise) drilling parameters, angle indication,
settings and drill plan.
rock drill used on the rig can also be
logged separately.
It is vital to accurately position holes
for the charging and blasting process
and the drill quality logging function
provides feedback to the planning per-
sonnel on what was drilled, when and
where. The Simba M and L rigs equip-
ped with this tool can log hole angle and
depth as well as position data, which can
be downloaded and used later to be com-
pared with the actual drill plan.
IREDES
In order to facilitate use of different eq-
uipment from different producers in the
same organization, Atlas Copco, toge-
ther with other major machine manufac-
turers, mining and construction companies
and third party suppliers, has established a
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 23
standard for data exchange between
rock excavation equipment and users’
computer systems. This International
Rock Excavation Data Exchange Stan-
dard, or IREDES, is the common lan-
guage in data exchange for mining and
tunnelling. Ore Manager, which is
IREDES compatible, can also be used
to analyze the outcome of a drilling
sequence in order to optimize the sub-
sequent charge and blast sequences.
By defining one common format or
language for handling data, the mining
industry can introduce new technology
without being dependent upon one sup-
plier for intelligent mining automation
systems.
Indeed, third-party companies are
enabled to provide add-on IREDES-
conformant parts to a range of custom-
ers at reasonable prices.
Talking Technically
Such standardized systems also mean
that end-users' costs can be kept to a
minimum, since data transfer does not
require more expensive, tailor-made in-
terfaces. Such cost considerations are
particularly important for those com-
panies and projects where automation
could make the development of small-
scale operations more viable.
Original equipment manufacturers
will also benefit from the development
of standardized systems since valuable
resources that would otherwise be tied
up with interface customization could
be freed up to concentrate on other
technology developments.
Rig communication
The communication link between the
operator and the rig is a basic function
 Talking Technically
PC-card for transferring of drill plans and log information to and from the drill rig.
that enables the operator to keep track
of the drill rig status or drill production
data for maintenance and production
monitoring purposes. Such a basic data
exchange function is included in all
Simba rig control systems, whereby the
operators can download/upload data/
programmes from/to the rig control
system using a PC-card. Very simple to
use, the data is stored as .txt files, which
can be accessed on any standard PC.
As an option, a mine text message
system can be incorporated in the
Simba M and L rigs allowing the opera-
tor to receive status and alarm messages
transmitted from the drill rig over the
mine's local radio network. These war-
ning messages can be customized to a
specific mine site and can include sta-
tus, warning, error and alarm messages.
This function, or the similar data online
function, is essential when operating
the drill rig in ABC Regular or ABC
Total automation modes as it allows the
operator to respond to planned and un-
planned events on the rig, even when it
is unattended. Used to its full potential,
this system of one-way messaging from
the rig to portable radios and computers
makes it possible for a single operator
to oversee the operation of multiple drill
rigs, while dedicated service request
messages can be transmitted directly
to the service technician.
24 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
Another possible feature is the Re-
mote Desktop, which enables access to
the drilling menus from a remote loca-
tion.
Automation options
All Simba drill rigs can be equipped
with a series of major automation op-
tions, such as: Measure While Drilling,
Drill Plan Handling, Drill Plan Adap-
tation, Mine Navigation, Full Drill Data
Handling, Rig Remote Access and Ore
Manager.
Measure While Drilling (MWD) fun-
ction logs a number of parameters while
drilling to provide quality input for ana-
lysis of the rock properties. Hole depth,
penetration rate, damper pressure, feed
pressure, percussion pressure, rotation
pressure and air/water pressure are re-
corded at intervals during drilling and
the information, coupled with hole devi-
ation measurements, will indicate ore
boundaries and assist in the charging
and blasting process. By optimizing the
rock fragmentation in this way, costs for
the whole rock excavation process can
be reduced.
Drill Plan Handling (DPH) includes
features such as importing drill plans
that contain planned drill holes; export-
ing quality logs that contain the drill
result; graphical view of the planned
and drilled holes; automatic angle ad-
justment to the closest hole in the drill
plan; automatic adjustment of the hole
start points, so they fit the working area
of the rig; basic navigation, manually
entering the difference of the rig’s ideal
position and the actual position, and/or
drill bit to point out marked reference
points in the drift.
Drill Plan Adaptation (DPA) is an
option to Drill Plan Handling that al-
lows the operator to adjust the collaring
point of the holes, keeping the hole bot-
toms in the same position. Using this
option, the operator can avoid obstacles
and installations, and carry out collar-
ing in cracked zones.
Mine Navigation (MN) is an option
to drill plan handling that gives more
possible navigation methods. The drill
plans can be planned in the overall mine
coordinate system.
Full Drill Data Handling (FDDH) is
always included in ABC Total and is an
option to ABC Regular. FDDH includes
features such as: importing drill plans
that contain planned drill holes; export-
ing quality logs that contain the drill
result; graphical view of the planned
and drilled holes; automatic angle ad-
justment to the closest hole in the drill
plan; automatic adjustment of the hole
start points, so they fit the working area
of the rig; basic navigation, manually
entering the difference of the rig’s ideal
position and the actual position, and/or
drill bit to point out marked reference
points in the drift. FDDH also includes
Measure While Drilling (MWD).
The Rig Remote Access (RRA) op-
tion integrates the drill rig to the cus-
tomer’s site computer network. This en-
ables functionality such as work order
handling, log data transfer, and remote
troubleshooting. Using RRA, drill plans
can be uploaded to the drill rig, or log
files downloaded to the controller’s PC
via a LAN/WLAN connection. Drill rig
status can be observed on-line using a
standard web browser on a remote PC.
Since machine monitoring is carried
out through the mine site data network,
there is no extra requirement for a ma-
chine specific data communication sy-
stem or network. This reduces the level
of cost and support necessary as local,
on-site IT technicians can undertake rig
communication and network support.

Further cost reductions are possible
through: rationalization opportunities,
even at smaller mine sites; cost-effec-
tive integration into existing network
systems owing to standard communi-
cation protocols; more efficient pro-
duction and rig maintenance planning
owing to automated information ex-
change between central office and the
rig; and increased rig availability as a
result of online expert trouble shooting
assistance from Atlas Copco, provided
the mine data network has Internet con-
nectivity or modem connection on site.
Ore Manager (OM) can generate a
PC-compatible drill plan, which has to
be available when you should operate a
drill rig at the ABC Total level of auto-
mation. Ore Manager is a Windows-
based support software for the drilling
operation in mining projects. OM runs
on a regular office PC. It is primarily
used for the creation, organization and
administration of drill fans for Simba
drill rigs equipped with the optional
ABC Regular or ABC Total functions.
OM also has functionalities for retriev-
ing and analysing quality logs and MWD
data. OM provides a quick and easy way
to check a drill fan and to compare the
drilling result with the planned fan. The
result is collected from the quality log.
CAD integration
A more elaborate method of handling
drill fans and planning of production
drilling is to integrate the Simba drill
rigs with the CAD/planning system at
the mine site. This means that there is
no need for manual handling or design
of fan plans in the mine. The fan plans
are designed in the CAD system ac-
cording to known or anticipated ore
boundaries.
In a CAD system the mine design
exists in a 3-D model. The ring design
package of the CAD system generates
a fan plan for the Simba and exports
it in IREDES format. The fan plan is
transferred into the Simba via the mine
network or by means of a PC card.
The operator of the Simba accepts the
fan plan, navigates the drill rig, drills
the fan, and saves the quality log file
back to the CAD system.
At the moment, integration exists be-
tween Simba RCS and Surpac, Vulcan
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 25
Rig Remote Access offers supervision or control of a drill rig.
and Mine 2-4D systems, and more are
to come.
Drilling economy
The new generation of computerized
drill rigs offers a very precise adapta-
tion of the drilling parameters to actual
rock conditions, resulting in better dril-
ling economy. Correct adjustment to the
actual rock conditions ensures precise
collaring, straight holes without devia-
tion, and extended lifetime of drill
string components. The driller’s expe-
rience counts, but RCS assists him to
do a good job. Modern drilling in mines
is associated with very precise require-
ments, in order to get the best fragmen-
tation and not to unnecessarily dilute
the ore.
To ensure efficiency in the mining
process the Atlas Copco Simba produc-
tion drill rig can be used to drill just in
the ore and avoid drilling, charging and
blasting areas with pure waste.
A well-designed fan plan adapted to
the actual ore deposits, correct drill rig
navigation, accurate drilling, precise
explosives loading, and correctly timed
blasting all ensure a good production
result. The Simba with RCS assists the
miner to fulfil these requirements and
to control the grade of the ore.
Since introducing the Simba M and
L Atlas Copco has delivered a great
number of Simba production drill rigs
of 7 different configurations of compu-
terized production drilling equipment.
The modular concept of mechanical,
Talking Technically
hydraulic, electronic, and software com-
ponents introduced with the new gener-
ation rigs has made this possible. Atlas
Copco strategy with RCS is to develop
a complete programme of electronically
controlled drill rig products for the mi-
ning and construction businesses and
to introduce automation options for all
applications. For operators, the learn-
ing time is short, and beginners and ex-
perienced drillers alike are capable of
production drilling after a couple of
days of training.
To use new technology like CAD in-
tegration requires some training in new
areas, such as navigation, and under-
standing of the mine design drawings.
Conclusions
Precision drilling, high productivity and
swift availability are the criteria for low
cost and successful longhole produc-
tion drilling. With the RCS technology,
Atlas Copco gives the driller the oppor-
tunity to undertake longhole drilling
with faster and more reliable control of
the entire operation, while improving
drill string life and reducing costs per
drill metre.
As all mines are, above all, chasing
costs, the range of high precision drill
rigs gives the mine planners and stope
designers opportunities to better opti-
mize the mining process and thereby
save costs and increase productivity.
Patrik Ericsson
 Talking Technically

Simba M6 C-ITH drilling downholes.

26 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

Faster Simba rigs set the pace

Great opportunities
The ultimate objective for all
miners is to reduce the cost
per tonne of ore produced, and
this goes hand in hand with
the ­o verall effort to introduce
more efficient mining methods
and equipment. The Simba range
of high precision production drill
rigs represents a concept that
makes the drill rig productive
and easy to operate. Fast and
exact positioning and collaring,
sturdy construction and small
hole deviation, fast rodhandling,
reliable automatic functions, good
exploitation of rock drill power,
simple and quick servicing and
high transport speed make the
Simba M– and L– models Atlas
Copco's most efficient generation.
But perhaps the real cost saving
potential for mine management
lies in the new opportunities to
better follow the ore boundaries,
to reduce the drilling density and
to reduce development by spac-
ing the drill drifts and sublevels
further apart. Simba production
drill rigs incorporate a solution for
every drilling application.

Advanced technology
Atlas Copco launched the M and L
series in September, 2001 to replace
the previous generation of Simba drill
rigs.
Designed with precision drilling,
high productivity and swift availability
in mind, the Simba production drill rigs
are engineered around the Rig Control
System RCS platform, a flexible and
easily expandable control system that
has already been used to great effect in
the Boomer range of face drilling rigs.
Significantly, the technology provides The Simba M and L series production drill rigs incorporate nine different drill units, three feed lengths,
for varying degrees of rig automation six rock drills and an extensive options programme.
and, ultimately, the possibility of fully
automated and remotely monitored monitoring and detailed control that Simba range
drilling. hitherto has not been possible. Further
Thanks to this advanced, and easy potential for increased productivity can Precision drilling, high productivity
to learn, computer-based technology, be achieved through improved precision and good availability are fundamental
the M and L series Simba rigs can be and better control, which allow the requirements for low cost and successful
integrated into the total planning of operator to drill longer and larger holes, production drilling. Designed with these
the mining operation, with a level of with greater spacing and burden. criteria in mind, the range of Simba M

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 27

 Talking Technically

RD = Ring drilling 1500 (PH) Dimensions Stingerextension drilling, and can drill parallel holes
up to 3 m apart, making the machines
PH = Parallel holes in mm

900
1150
ideal for longhole drilling applications,

1200 (900)
Feed extension
30 o
such as in sublevel stoping and sublevel
o
30
R
caving.
29
70
(R
All tophammer rock drills for the
D)
4915

380o
Simba rigs are equipped with a dual
damping system, which means that

1825
more impact energy can be exploited
without increasing wear in the ­d rill
150

steel – in other words, higher produc-

7440 Stingerextension
Type M3 2000
tion for the same, or a lower, cost.
Simba type M3 drilling configurations To further enhance longhole drilling
productivity and cost efficiency, par-
RD = Ring drilling 3000 (PH) Dimensionsion mm Stingerextension ticularly in difficult rock conditions, an
extractor unit is available as an option
PH = Parallel holes

900
1150
for the COP 1838, COP 2250 and COP

1200 (900)
Feed extension
4050 rock drills. This unique back
o
750 1500 750 30 30 o
R
29
hammering device serves two main
150 0

70

purposes:
(R
D)
(P
4600

R 27 380o
4915

90 (P
H)

H)
• To practically eliminate jamming
and the subsequent loss of drill strings

1825
stuck in holes; and
• to assist in the uncoupling of ­d rill
150

string joints.
7440 Stingerextension
Type M4 2000
The back hammering action is a
Simba type M4 drilling configurations. reversed percussive effect equal to around
20% of the conventional drilling impact
and L series production drill rigs incor- the machines can also be equipped with energy. This reduces the rod hand-
porate a solution for every drilling RHS rod handling system for mecha- ling time between holes by eliminating
application. nized drilling. jammed joints, as well as reducing wear
The complete range features the For ITH capability, COP 34, 44, 54 on gripper jaws, the shank and the drill.
following models: M3 C, L3 C, M4 C, and 64 hammers can be supplied for A jammed drill string can also poten-
M6 C, L6 C and M7 C. The models hole diameters of 95-178 mm. tially represent a significant replace-
M3 C, M4 C, M6 C are also available All Simba production drill rigs are ment cost for a mining operation or
for in-the-hole hammer drilling (ITH). based on the sturdy modular designed contractor. Once again, the incorpora-
The range is broadened by the avail- articu­lated M-carrier, and are powered tion of the extractor can m ­ inimize such
ability of an array of options such as by a Deutz low-emission diesel engine costs through its ability to actively
rod handling systems, extractor units (Stage III/Tier III). Rated at 112 kW, back hammer on the jammed string to
for the rock drills, air/water-mist flush- this particular engine provides for remove the obstacle.
ing, additional stingers, water reel, BAS longer life, lower maintenance and The improved drill unit, with up to
Breakthrough Automatic Stop, MWD operational costs, and, above all, fast four stingers on the drill feed, provides a
Measure While Drilling and upgrades ­t ramming speeds of up to 15 km/h. solid set up. The aluminium feed incor-
of the level of automation to ABC This makes the Simbas particularly porates two hydraulic stingers mounted
Regular and ABC Total. effective when negotiating steep ramps directly on the feed beam as standard,
The COP 1838 rock drill is fitted as or inclines. Other features include and can be equipped with a further two
standard across all the new M series high ground clearance, four-wheel for ‘rock solid’ positioning in particu-
and is suitable for hole diameters traction, and articulated steering for larly difficult conditions. This provides
of 51-89 mm or 89 COP HEX for easy manoeuvring, while an optional improved stability in the set-up of the 
76-89 mm diameter holes. The two L silenced FOPS-approved cabin, with feed, which is extremely important in
series models, meanwhile, are equipped panoramic view, affords an improved collaring and drilling straight holes.
with the powerful COP 4050 rock drill working environment for the operator. With the help of the stingers the drill-
for drillhole diameters ranging from Five different positioning systems ing unit is supported during the drilling
89-127 mm. Consequently, these larger are available through various combina- process.
rigs are equipped with a larger power tions of the pendulum, the slide table The stingers absorb the side forces
pack than the M series (2 x 75 kW rather and, in the case of the M3 C and M4 C during collaring and remove the stress
than 2 x 55 kW) to match the require- models, an optional turntable. All of created by the feed force. The combined
ments of the much larger rock drill. All the new Simbas offer 360 degree ring drill steel support/guide can also be

28 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

easily adapted for different combinations

of drill steel and drill tube.
The double-bottom feed beam easily
withstands the high stresses involved
when drilling, while the double action
hydraulic cylinder, with its direct cou-
pling to the cradle, gives smoother and
steadier movement of the rock drill.
Thanks to the replaceable wear pads
and easily adjustable cradle, centring of
the rock drill can be maintained without
difficulty.

Extendable intelligence
The heart, or perhaps more accurately,
the brain, of the new machines is the
RCS platform, which not only allows
the rig operator to drill faster and with
much greater precision, but also simpli-
fies the drilling functions and ­trouble
shooting.
The RCS allows for extendable intel-
ligence, provides a good operator inter-
face, and has the potential to be linked up
to mine planning software. The system
affords three levels of automation – Basic,
Regular and Total.
At the ABC Basic level of automa-
tion, all drilling operations are manu-
ally controlled from the operator’s panel
and its large display screen. To enhance
the quality of the drilling, functions for
angle of drilling and hole depth meas-
urement are incorporated as standard, The advanced hydraulics system has enabled Atlas Copco to reduce the total hose length by around
along with statistics logging and event 30%, which dramatically improves the operator’s line-of-sight, as fewer hydraulic hoses are linked
logging to help in preventative mainte- to the control panel or fed into the cabin.
nance.
Incorporating all the functions of has enabled Atlas Copco to reduce the and to improve the penetration rate. To
ABC Basic, the ABC Regular level total hose length on the Simba produc- optimize penetration rates in different
of automation allows the operator to tion drill rigs by around 30%, which ground conditions, as well as in dif-
initiate automated single hole drilling. provides for higher machine avail- ferent drilling directions, the control
Extended logging capability and drill ability owing to fewer hose failures. system constantly monitors changes
plan handling are available as options. Furthermore, the introduction of RCS in the rock conditions, and adjusts the
Ultimately, the drill rig can be fully has simplified cabling significantly, drill feed pressure, depending upon the
automated if equipped to the ABC Total and the system is programmed for self- measured rotation pressure, to further
level, with the operator using the con- diagnosis, making trouble shooting increase the penetration rate without
trol and display panels only to set up much easier. Together, the combination risking the life of the drill. If rota-
and initiate automated sequences such of the RCS and the proportional hydrau- tion resistance becomes excessive, an
as automated multi-hole drilling. As lics provides greater drill precision and anti-jamming function is activated, and
a result, only one, or a team of a few smoother positioning, particularly during the collaring sequence for a new hole
operators at most, is required to operate hole collaring. Hydraulic oil leakage is is initiated.
and supervise several drill rigs. also kept to a minimum, for example due As well as improving the penetration
Monitored and controlled from the to hose failure, by automatic shutdown of rate, the RCS maximizes the life of the
operator’s panel, each drilling function the hydraulic pumps. shank adapter, tubes and drill bits by
is handled by dedicated, locally posi- By also enabling smoother control ensuring that the tube joints are tightened
tioned modules that are interconnected of the drilling operation, the RCS plat- with a constant torque throughout the
through a CAN-bus network. The RCS form helps to minimize drill steel stress whole length. At the Zinkgruvan lead

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 29

 Talking Technically

3000 (PH) Dimensions Stinger extension

RD = Ring drilling 3000 (PH) Dimensions
RD = Ring drilling in mm Stinger extension
PH = Parallel holes in mm
PH = Parallel holes

900
1150
900
1150
Feed extension
Feed extension
1200 (900)
1200 (900)
o
30
o
30 45 o 45 o
R
R

48
48

80
80

(R
5650

(R
5650

o4 o 45 o
D)
45 5
o
5000

D)

45
5000

(RD6)0 (RD)
R 2760R 27 380o 380o

2780
2780
150 150
8520 8520
Stinger eStinger
xtensionextension
TypeType
M6 M6 2000 2000

Simba type M6 drilling configurations.

and zinc mine in Sweden, for example,
drill tube life has increased from the
1,200-1,300 m being achieved with the
mine’s earlier rigs, to more than 1,800 m
with its Simba M4 C.
Significantly, the RCS system is
capable of accepting new software,
which can be easily extended. Another
important feature is its easy integration
into other systems.
Modular overlap
The RCS Simba production drill rigs
incorporate features and components
found on the Atlas Copco RCS rigs.
These include the RCS platform, which
was introduced on the Boomers some
three years before the launch of the new
generation Simbas.
Spare parts and consumables for
the Simba rigs are, for the most part,
the same, so technicians familiar with
the other RCS rigs should have no dif-
ficulty in finding their way around the
new Simba drill rigs.
Indeed, the same modular design
concept, as in other RCS rigs, provides
a better serviceability. Being able to use
standard equipment and systems is a
great advantage to maintenance opera-
tions, and much effort has gone into
making each module easily accessible
for maintenance.
Components that require regular
service are especially easy to get to,
and the Simba production drill rigs
have been designed so that they can
be readily dismantled into their main
components, for ease of lowering into
narrow shafts.
Such development of standardized
equipment and systems has important
implications for both the mine and the
manufacturer. The mine is no longer
dependent on tailor-made, or special,
solutions for its drilling requirements,
while the overlap between the product
families has enabled Atlas Copco to
reduce the assembly lead times at its
factory.

All of the new Simbas offer 360 degree ring drilling and can drill parallel holes up to 3 m apart, making the machines ideal for longhole drilling applications
such as in sublevel stoping and sublevel caving.

Dimensions
in mm
850
Stinger extension
700

1200 (900)
Feed extension
6140

50 Parallell holes with

11 0o boom-lift
35o boom-swing
Coverage area
00
16

o
1100x4690 mm
10 Dimensions with
7850

45o boom-lift
25o 25o boom-swing
90o
o Dimensions with
45 35o
0o boom-lift
360o 35o boom-swing
900

150
2000
Stinger extension
Type M7 3900 1600

30 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

Zinkgruvan experience
The first of the new generation Simba
drill rigs was delivered in September,
2001 to the underground Zinkgruvan
lead and zinc mine, just a few hours drive
from Atlas Copco’s drill rig manufac-
turing facility at Örebro, in Sweden.
Historically, the mine actually encom-
passed three separate operations, but,
more recently, access tunnels have been
driven to link the entire operation to-
gether. Whilst this has meant improved
equipment utilization, the tramming dis-
tances for such equipment is now much
longer. Production is currently being
ramped up from around 850,000 t/y in
2002, to some 900,000 t/y, using ­sub-
level open stoping and longhole open
stoping with paste fill.
The latter method was introduced to
eliminate the need for post-mining of
pillar remnants, and because of poor
rock conditions.
The mine has identified four major
improvements with its Simba M4 C
compared with the rig’s predecessors:
• The new rotation unit provides much
better precision, especially beneficial
when drilling opening slots.
• The four stingers afford a more stable
feed setup, giving good precision in
hole alignment, collaring and during
drilling.
• Hydraulic oil spillage is almost totally
eliminated, owing to a 30% reduction
in hoses and a smart oil leakage shut-
down system.
• The easy-to-learn CAN-bus system,
which simplifies trouble shooting.
In November, 2002 Zinkgruvan took
delivery of its second Simba M-series
machine, an M7 C that will be deployed
primarily for drilling 54 mm-diameter
cablebolt holes. Around 50,000 m/y of
cablebolting is carried out at the mine.
The rig will also be required to fill in
as a production unit, drilling 76 mm-
diameter holes.
Patrik Ericsson

With an entirely new frame, nine different drill units, three feed lengths, six rock drills and an extensive
options programme, Atlas Copco can offer the right Simba for every application.

Simba modular program with maximum flexibility

Type 4
Type 3 Positioning:
Positioning: Rotation, 380°
Rotation, 380° Tilt forwards, 30°
Tilt forwards, 30° Tilt backwards, 30°
Tilt backwards, 30° Side movement, ±1.5 m
Side movement, ±1.5 m with sliding table
with sliding table Type M
Extra side movement, ±0.75 m
with pendulum arm COP 34,44,54,64

Type L COP 1838ME/MEX

COP 1838HE/HEX
Alternative pendulum
arm with 90° COP 2550UX
turned COP 4050MUX
feedholder Type M3/L3
Type 6
Positioning:
Rotation, 380°
Tilt forwards, 45°
Tilt backwards, 30°
Canopy Type M4 Sideways, ±1.5 m Type 7
Telescopic Positioning:
and FOPS- Reach, 3.5 - 5.1 m
approved Rotation, 360°
Boom up, 45°
Boom down, 15°
Sideways, ±35°
Forwards, 90°
Extra: Backwards, 10°
Turn table ±20°
Cabin with Type M6/L6
panoramic
view and
FOPS-approved
A HOLMBERG 2007

Engine module Front module Type M7

Rear module Power pack

© Atlas Copco 2003

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 31

 Talking Technically

Simba M7 C.

32 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

Increased productivity with

ITH drilling

deep hole drilling capacity, with con- Cutaway section of Secoroc COP 64 Gold.
ITH growing in stant penetration and no energy losses
in joints; and efficient energy transmis- gave another boost to the sales of ham-
popularity sion, with the piston striking directly on mers. The flexibility, productivity and
The ITH drilling method is grow- the bit. manoeuvr­a­bility of these rigs, when
ing in popularity, with increases The COP 34-84 series of hammers equipped with a COP hammer, makes
in all application segments, inclu- was introduced from 1992, and imme- them the most productive ­combination
ding blasthole, water well, foun-
diately became the benchmark for pro- on the market today.
dation, oil & gas, cooling systems
and drilling for heat exchange ductivity within ITH drilling. Over the
pumps. years, the increase in average drill- COP 64 Gold
   ITH competes favourably with ing pressure, from 17 bar to a current
rotary drilling in open pit mines, market standard of 25 bar, has improved The increase in drilling pressure also
mainly thanks to increased pro-
hammer performance, and productivity had some negative impact on the­inter-
ductivity and flexibility. Open
pit mining has adopted smaller has increased proportionally to air pres- nal components of the ITH hammer,
holes where rotary drilling has sure. as the increased stress promoted the
either been replaced by ITH, or The introduction of the Atlas Copco
where ITH has been introduced ROC L8 and L6 ser ies of high- New Secoroc hammer and bit ready for
to create a better finish to the pit
performance, high-pressure ITH rigs action on an Atlas Copco drill rig.
wall, as the method is also per-
fect for pre-­splitting and smooth
blasting, which avoids back-crack-
ing.
   ITH drilling offers increased
productivity, and is favoured by
contractors for production drill-
ing. In larger quarries, the opti-
mum hole size is 110-140 mm.
With today’s demands for strict
hole control for safe blasting in
populated areas, ITH drilling is
a popular choice among quarry
operators.

Quality holes
In the hole range 100-254 mm, ITH
drilling is the dominant drilling method
today. The main features of ITH drill-
ing in this hole range are: excellent
hole straightness within 1.5% devia-
tion without guiding equipment; good
hole cleaning, with plenty of air for
hole cleaning from the hammer; good
hole quality, with smooth and even hole
walls for easy charging of explosives;

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 33

 Talking Technically

risk of premature failures. So, in 1998,

Atlas Copco Secoroc decided on a long-
term ­strategy to improve reliability,
while retaining the benchmark status
of the COP 64 ITH hammer.
Stage One of this strategy was the
development of the second generation
COP 64.2 steel COP 64 Gold steel Improvement
Yield point ReL(Mpa) 700 1400 100%
Breaking strength Rm(Mpa) 1000 1950 95%
Hardness (HRc) 32 42 31%
Table 1 reveals not only that the yield point for the new steel grade is twice as high, but
also that breaking strength has been almost doubled.

six-inch hammer, COP 64.2, introduced

in October, 2000, which incorporated
newly-designed steel disc spring and
lower buffer. Performance was vastly
improved, thanks to a drastic reduction
in the number of internal failures. It
was also possible to rebuild the hammer
without diminishing its performance,
making it even more attractive.
Stage Two was the introduction of
the third generation COP 64 hammer,
COP 64 Gold, which was unveiled
in August, 2001. This version offers
sustained performance and improved
longevity of the external parts. The
COP 64.2 resolved internal component
reliability, while the COP 64 Gold has
experienced a dramatic drop in the
number of cylinder failures.
COP 64 Gold also boasts improved
sustainable efficiency, maintaining an
average of 96% of original performance
throughout its service life, which is a
further improvement on COP 64.2.
Durability improvements, thanks to
the higher tensile strength of the new
steel grade, are especially noticeable
when the cylinder approaches minimum
thickness limits. COP 64 Gold enjoys
a greater durability margin than its
predecessor.
With the introduction of COP 64
Gold, hammer life will increase s­ ub-
stantially. Less internal and ­external
wear, together with a reduced minimum
cylinder wear limit, are key contributing
factors. The hammer is virtually main­
tenance-free, with no need for an econ­
omy kit in most applications. Ultimately,
Table 1 Comparison of COP 64.2 and COP 64 Gold steel.
this means customers can look forward
to increased drill rig availability.
The sum total of these improvements
shows COP 64 Gold to have more than
50% greater service life, in abrasive
rock conditions, than its ­predecessor.
The customer benefits from lower
cost/metre drilled, thanks to less down-
time and greater abrasion ­resistance,
and 30-50% longer life of external
parts.
Higher availability results from less
breakage in the threads of top sub and
chuck-ends of the cylinder, and there are
fewer stoppages for service and main-
tenance. Improved penetration rate and
higher efficiency are a result of reduced
friction of the piston, and a greater life
cycle penetration rate is the overall
reward.
To sum up, the customer can drill
more holes per hammer than p­ reviously.
Applications
COP 64 Gold is a high-pressure ham-
mer, where performance is related to
air pressure. A lower limit of 12 bar for
deep hole applications is a good rule of
thumb. The hammer is designed for the
same types of application as COP 64.2,
with special focus on high-pressure
applications. In abrasive formations,
performance will be up to 50% better
than COP 64.2, in what is an ideal ap-
plication for COP 64 Gold.
In soft unconsolidated rock drill-
ing, the 12-spline chuck concept and
the improved durability make COP 64
Gold the perfect hammer. High pressure
yields higher productivity, and drilling
pressures of 28-30 bar are not unusual.
The COP 64 Gold hammer concept
offers customers a tool to meet the most
exacting requirements.
Hammer cylinder
The new cylinder has been redesigned
in a number of important ways. COP 64
Gold boasts a cylinder made of low
alloy wrought and toughened steel, a
new grade with a higher combined Mo-
lybdenum and Vanadium content (4.8%)
than its predecessor. The result is grea-
ter impact strength and higher wear
and temperature resistance. All in all,
this means greater resistance to brea-
kage, impact, temperature and wear for
the new hammer cylinder.
Thanks to the new steel grade, cy-
linder properties have been greatly im-
proved. Wear has been reduced, both
internally and externally. Cuttings and
moving parts no longer cause the prob-
lems they once did. In effect, the service
life of the cylinder has been extended
con­siderably. The new steel grade pos-
sesses greater tensile strength, which
means the minimum wear limit can
be decreased from an overall cylinder
diameter of 132 mm, to 130 mm.

Secoroc COP 64 Gold.

34 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

Total improvement

Due to wear resistance

Due to wear limit change

Due to less cylinder failure

Increase in service life of COP 64 Gold, which has a 50% longer life than its predecesssor.

The result is a hammer that main-
tains performance far longer than its
predecessor, while being, in effect,
maintenance-free.
Longitudinal milled slots have re-
placed the circular undercut found
in COP 64.2. The piston now enjoys
100% guidance throughout its stroke,
as op­posed to the older undercut that
let it partially move freely at the end of
the downward stroke. Thanks to these
slots, wear on the porting edges of the
cylinder undercuts and piston has been
eliminated. That means air leakage is
down to a minimum, and so are noise
levels!
The polygon-shaped piston pro-
vides a ten-point guide system, while
retaining excellent force on the bit. It
is sturdier than its forerunner, fitting
hand-in-glove with the milled slots to
provide superior guidance and airflow
all the way through the hammer.
The QL 60-style chuck, together
with a 12-spline bit, add up to a stronger
bit shank. This is especially useful in
soft and unconsolidated rock conditions,
where bits tend to move axially in and
out in the chuck during drilling. This
may lead to greater ­f riction between
chuck and splines, causing premature
spline wear. Furthermore, the increase
in the number of splines, from eight to
twelve, leads to greater surface contact
between bit and chuck, lessening stress
on the splines.
The high demand for COP 64 Gold
hammers, particularly in applications
where performance and reliability are
major considerations, has led Atlas
Copco Secoroc to add the COP 54 Gold
to this increasingly successful range.
Leif Larsson and
Patrik Ericsson

Results of comparative tests with COP 64.2 and COP 64 Gold. The COP 64 Gold drilled 50% further.

16 000
14 000
12 000
10 000
Drill metres

New Material
8 000 Old Material
6 000
4 000
2 000
0
146 145 144 143 142 141 140 139 138 137 136 135 134 133 132 131 130 129 128
Cylinder OD (mm)

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 35

 Talking Technically

Simba M6 C-ITH.

36 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

Tuning up your drilling system

Optimum combination
of factors
Choosing the right rock drilling
tools and adjusting all the set-
tings in the drilling system can
boost performance and cut costs,
but it’s not always easy. To dis-
cover the optimal combination, a
customer can compare test results
step by step – or use rock drilling
simulation such as Atlas Copco’s
Diarot package.

Complex parameters
A rock drilling system is complex and
many parameters decide its perform-
ance. Taking into account the rock char-
acteristics, these parameters include:
• bit diameter, design and button type;
• type of flushing media used;
• drill rod type and geometry;
• piston mass and geometry;
• the frequency and velocity of the
rock drill impact piston;
• rotation speed;
• feed force.
To get the most out of a drilling
system, all these factors must work in
harmony. The system should also match
the overall excavation method. This
means that fragmentation for loading
and crushing is another ­consideration.
Figure 1: Ballistic buttons (left) and spherical but-
tons: The ballistic buttons are generally considered
the best choice for most rock drilling applications.
the hole to a given diameter. The bit’s
ability to penetrate the rock efficiently
depends on how well the contact
between the surface of the buttons
and rock is established, their buttons’
shape and number, the bit’s flushing
characteristics and the brittleness, or
drillability, of the rock.
Tests have shown that the relatively
smaller contact surface and the larger
protrusion of the ballistic button help
to break the rock more efficiently
giving higher penetration rate than the
spherical button (see Figures 1 and 2).
This efficiency also gives the best hole
straightness and we recommend bal-
listic button bits for most applications.
Additional reasons are:
• The larger protrusion makes it easier
to clean the hole, leaving the bit to
deal with ‘fresh’ rock, thereby avoid-
ing secondary ­crushing.
• Atlas Copco Secoroc’s patented
grinding system, using a profiled
diamond grinding wheel, maintains
the performance of the ballistic
button by restoring its original pro-
file, which is essential for optimum
penetration rate and service life
(Figure 3).
However, spherical buttons are still
preferred in certain types of hard and

The bit that counts

Figure 2: How the
A combination of drill bit, drill rods, buttons bite:
shank adapter, rock drill and drill rig Under the same
impact energy the
determine the performance of the rock
ballistic button
drilling system, and this is an area in will penetrate
which Atlas Copco has considerable deeper into the
knowledge. Here we want to focus on rock, since it has
the drill string, i.e. the drill bit, rods and a smaller contact
shank adapter. area (footprint) Additional Penentration
Three parameters should be consid- than the spherical
ered when choosing a drill bit. They button.
are:
• Penetration rate
• Hole straightness
• Service life
In 95% of all percussive rock drill-
ing, a button bit is selected to drill

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 37

 Talking Technically
Figure 3: Bit grinding shop.
abrasive rock formations, where they
can have a superior service life.
Perfect partner
The design of the drill bit, especially
the number, placement and shape of the
buttons, makes it the perfect partner for
the rock drill and its percussive energy
to press the buttons into the rock. If the
power of the rock drill is insufficient, or
the buttons are worn too flat, the pen-
etration rate decreases and hole devia-
tion increases. In addition, the risk of
damaging the buttons increases with the
size of the wear flat. There is also a risk
of drilling with non-tightened couplings
due to lack of rotation torque, something
that leads to short drill steel life.
Using the Diarot rock drilling simu-
lation system Atlas Copco is able to
simulate the performance of different
drill bit designs, using data from a work-
site or from its extensive database.
Figure 4: Extension rod joints must be kept tight
during drilling. Loose joints cause overheating
and energy loss, drastically reducing efficiency.
38 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
After the button bit, we should exam-
ine the drill rods and shank adapter. The
task is to transfer the rock drill piston’s
energy through the drill string and drill
bit into the rock. The COP 1838 hydrau-
lic drill piston impacts on the drill string
50–60 times a second and, each time,
the buttons penetrate 0.5–1.5 mm into
the rock. If the design and setting of
the drilling equipment is matched to
the rock, energy transmission will be
nearly optimal and this, in turn, will
affect the service life of the drill string
­positively.
When the piston in the rock drill
strikes the shank adapter the kinetic
energy of the piston is converted into a
compressive stress wave, which travels
through the drill string and into the rock
and breaks it. In a well-tuned rock drill-
ing system, most of the energy in the
stress wave is being ­utilized to break the
rock. In a ­mismatched drilling system,
some of the energy in the stress wave
will be reflected and returned back up
the drill string as a tensile stress wave.
Tensile stress waves are much more
detrimental to the drill string in com-
parison to compressive stress waves.
The drill string’s joints must be
tight enough for energy transmission
to be fully effective. Loose joints result
Figure 5: Secoroc Speedrods and MF drill rods.
in energy loss and drill string failure
(Figure 4), which can be simply detect-
ed by measuring the ­temperature on the
coupling.
Rigid rods pay off
There are different types of rods in the
Atlas Copco Secoroc range and we rec-
ommend the Speedrod, with integrated
couplings for extension drilling (Figure
5). A drill string with Speedrod gives
faster penetration than one with exten-
sion rods and couplings, as less energy
is lost at the joints. Furthermore, the
Speedrod’s threads are easy to keep tight
during drilling, giving very ­efficient
energy transmission.
Drill rods must be selected to suit
the entire system. The largest possible
rod diameter for the hole dimension is
recommended. A larger-diameter rod
has a longer service life (because of
less stress per unit area – sq mm) and
because it transmits more energy per
blow. Furthermore, large rods are also
more rigid and, in the same way as TDS
guide tubes, will give straighter holes
and better blasting results. Finally, to
make the whole system work as effi-
ciently as possible, the drill rods must
also suit the rock drill, its piston and
shank adapter.
Alf Stenqvist
 Talking Technically

Computer based training for rock

drilling tools
Latest version
Atlas Copco Secoroc recently in-
troduced version 4.0 of its Com-
puter-Based Training (CBT) pack-
age as being of paramount im-
portance in achieving the highest
level of competence in rock drill-
ing tools among distributors and
customers, as well as its own sales
force. Correct understanding of
how to choose, use and maintain
the rock drilling tools affects pro-
fitability for all, and adds to com-
petitiveness. Atlas Copco Secoroc
believes that the CBT package for
rock drilling tools is the most com-
prehensive interactive training tool
available in the industry today.

Expert knowledge
The course is based on the skills and
experience gained by key Atlas Copco
Secoroc personnel over many years, and
conveys expert knowledge in the
use of modern rock drilling products.
CBT Rock Drilling Tools version 4.0
Course menu. View picture for the course Raise boring. Under the text “Introduction” you find two
buttons, “Learning objectives” will explain what you are expected to learn. “Introduction” will give
you an overview by running pictures and a speaker talking. Under “Lessons” you choose chapters.
Main menu. This is the first picture shown when you start the CBT. From this main
menu you can choose which of the courses you would like to enter.
was released after six years of patient Computer based training transfers
development. knowledge about drill string products
and their use, in a simple and efficient
way. Aided by 3-dimensional anima-
tions, photographs, film sequences and
interactive lessons, the training course
explains how the market’s leading drill
string products can increase both pro-
ductivity and profit.
With version 4.0, CBT now includes
training on Atlas Copco Secoroc pro-
ducts, with: separate packages divided
into tophammer, ITH and raise-boring;
separate libraries for drilling equipment
and applications in all packages; up-
dated product training section on top-
hammer equipment including trouble-
shooting, bit grinding, and care and main-
tenance; product training section on
ITH equipment including troublesho-
oting, bit grinding, and care and main-
tenance; product training section on con-
sumables for raise boring equipment,
including care and maintenance; focus
tests on each lesson; and a new section
of product selection exercises.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 39

 Talking Technically

Chapter. In this section you choose the lesson you want. In the lower right Lesson. There are three buttons for presentations. Video camera
corner you find four buttons. ”X” will finish the actual step. Number two will button: running pictures and speaker text. Photo camera button: pictures
take you back one step. The third button allows you to scroll through the course. from more important or difficult parts. Text button: pictures and text.

Step player. When pressing the step player button you will find film Product selection exercises. At the end you also have the possibility
sequences or animations. At the end of every lesson you can also go through to go through some “real” exercises, where you will have the background for a
a test, “Focus test”, to check your knowledge. specific rock excavation and from that choose suitable equipment to do the job.

Complete training
The whole Secoroc CBT Rock Drilling
Tools package comprises approximately
50 hours of lessons and tests. With a
recommended maximum of four hours
of lectures per day, the total length of
a complete training course on rock
drilling tools can be estimated at three
weeks.
CBT enables efficient training when-
ever the need arises. For instance, a
new employee can start the learning
process right away, and learn about
how the product is manufactured, its
characteristics, wear limits, and much
more. A modular structure enables users
to study lesson by lesson, or in a selec-
tive way at their own pace. With per-
sonal computers, learning can take
place whenever and wherever the indi-
vidual chooses, including in the field.
The training package teaches you to
find the right tool for any given rock
drilling application at any time of the
day. Experience with CBT version 2.0
resulted in good market acceptance of
version 3.0, which has been success-
fully advising both key customers and
technical schools. The new version of
CBT 4.0 is expected to contribute fur-
ther to the added value in Atlas Copco
Secoroc sales service.
Björn Samuelsson

40 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


The economic case for routine
bit grinding
Cutting hole costs
The button bit was originally de-
veloped to do the job of an insert
bit, without the necessity for fre-
quent grinding. However, it was
soon found that the service life of
a button bit increased consider-
ably if the cemented carbide but-
tons were ground.
   Nowadays, it has become ex-
tremely important to grind button
bits at proper intervals, in order to
extend the service life of the rock
drilling tool, maintain penetration
rates, and drill straight holes.
   In all rock excavation opera-
tions, the cost is usually ex­pressed
in cost per drilled metre (cost/dm),
in cost per cubic metre (cost/cu m),
or in cost per tonne.
   The cost to produce a hole de-
pends on how fast it can be dril-
led, and how many tools will be
consumed. The cost to produce a
cubic metre of rock is dependent
upon the cost of the hole, and the
cost of blasting. If the blasthole is
of poor quality, then more explo-
sives will be consumed in blast-
ing the rock. Unsharpened bits
very often give a poor quality hole
with deviation.
   Grinding constitutes around
2% of the costs of the entire drill-
ing operation. To run the business
without grinding could multiply
this cost, with up to 100% added
when production losses are taken
into account. Labour and mate-
rial are the highest costs, while
the machine investment cost is
low when ­u tilization is high,
with a large number of bits to be
ground.
Grinding methods
There are two different methods of bit
grinding to restore the buttons. The pre-
ferred method uses a diamond coated
profiled wheel, and the other, a grind-
ing cup.
The profiled wheel provides a smooth
and efficient grinding oper­ation, which,
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 41
Talking Technically
throughout its life, maintains the cor-
rect button shape and pro­t rusion. It
features correct centring on all buttons,
producing a high quality cemented car-
bide surface, with no risk of cemented
carbide nipple. Long bit life, and higher
penetration rates, will result from good
grinding quality.
Disadvantages of using the grinding
cup are that it may produce an incor-
rect button shape and protrusion. It is
difficult to centre the grinding cup over
the gauge button, and there is also a risk
of producing a sharp cemented carbide
nipple on the button, and a possibility
of scratches due to the larger diamond
grain used. Reduced bit life will result
from poor grinding quality.
Several tests have been carried out
to find which method gives the best
bit performance. The grinding wheel
gives the correct shape to the button,
The Secoroc Grind Matic BQ2 grinding machine
regardless of the amount of wear on the
can handle drill bits up to 127 mm in diameter.
wheel, ensuring that the bit will achieve
Diagram 1: Typical bit life grinding at different intervals.
Total bit life
drill metres
700
600
10 regrindings
per drill bit
500
400
300
200
Grinding interval
100 drill metres
0
10 20 30 40 50 60
 Talking Technically

and circulate in the hole, causing sec-

ondary damage to the buttons.
When a bit doesn’t show any vis­
ible wear flat, it may be suffering from
micro cracks on the cemented carbide
surface.
This is known colloquially as snake-
skin, and can be clearly seen when using
a magnifier. In this case, the surface
has to be ground away, otherwise the
micro cracks lead to more severe da-
mage on the buttons. Likewise, buttons
which protrude too much must be ground
down to avoid damage (Diagram 2).

Diagram 2: Risk of total loss when a bit is overdrilled.
standard penetration rate throughout its
entire life. It has also been shown that
bit life is increased considerably when
grinding wheels are used, rather than
grinding cups. Wheels also excavate
steel around the button, simplifying the
grinding task, and giving the bit a more
exact profile.
There is always a sharp edge created
on the button, and this becomes sharper
the more the bit is overdrilled. This
sharp edge, especi­ally on ballistic but-
tons, is very brittle. Once the edge cracks,
pieces of cemented carbide break away
Diagram 3: Penetration rate drops as the button profiles flatten.
Penetration rate
When the right bit has been chosen
for the rock condition, it will provide
maximum penetration rate, along
with acceptable hole straightness. In
rock conditions like Swedish granite,
with a compressive strength of around
2,200 bar, the bit gets a wear flat after
just 10-20 drill metres, accompanied by
a small drop in penetration rate. When
it has a wear flat equivalent to one-third
of the button diameter, the penetration
will have dropped by 5%. If the bit is
used further until it has a two-thirds
wear flat, the penetration will have
dropped more than 30% (Diagram 3).

Bit life
With so many parameters involved, it
is difficult to estimate bit service life.
First, a proper grinding interval must
be established, preferably at the stage
when the button has a wear flat of one
third of the button diameter. When the
number of drilled metres to reach this
stage has been established, then a cal-
culation of bit life can be made, by multi-
plying by the number of times it can be
reground. As a general rule, a bit can
be reground 10 times, but smaller bits
may achieve slightly less than this
figure, while larger bits may achieve
more. So, if the grinding interval has
been established as 60 drill metres,
then the average bit life will be 660
drill metres (Diagram 1). If a bit is
over drilled, and the wear flat is more
than half of the button diameter, there
is a tendency towards cracked buttons.

42 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Talking Technically

are available. The machine is driven by

9
up to 7 bar compressed air, and is suit-
8
able for a small grinding operation.
7 Grind Matic Manual B is an air-
6
Labour cost
driven portable grinder using diamond-
Grinding material cost coated grinding wheels for spherical
5
Machine cost and ballistic buttons. The machine is
4 mounted in a box fitted with wheels and
3 handles for easy set up. It is mainly for
2 threaded button bits, but small down-
Annual grinding volume – buttons the-hole bits can be ground in this
machine. A steel spring is mounted in
1 Figures on the left side of the diagram
0 show cost per button in SEK. the profile of the grinding wheel, where
5 000

10 000

25 000

50 000

75 000

100 000

it functions as a centring device, allow-

Cost of grinding reduces dramatically with volume.
When a bit has a heavy wear flat it
tends to deviate, and, by the time it rea-
ches the bottom of the hole, it will have
deviated far more than planned. As a
result, the blast will produce coarse
fragmentation, and much secondary
blasting may be required.
In slope hole drilling, it is of utmost
importance that the holes are straight.
If the holes deviate, the slope walls will
be uneven, making rock reinforcement
more difficult than expected.
Rock formations with different lay-
ers and joints are often characterized
by heavy hole deviation, putting extra
stress on the remaining rock tools in
the drillstring. A sharp bit always cuts
better, and will prevent both deviation,
and its disadvantages.
Grinding machines
Two parameters guide the selection of
the right grinding machine: the number
of bits to be ground; and whether the
machine should be portable or station-
ary. Several kinds of grinding machines
are available to satisfy these parameters.
In most cases, a simple machine will
suffice for a small operation, grinding
only a few bits. The semi-automatic
machines are more suitable for larger
operations, such as mines and construc-
tion sites, where the machine can be sta-
tionary, and the rocktools can be brought
to it.
Grind Matic HG is a water or air-
cooled handheld machine for grinding
cups. Both spherical and ballistic cups
ing for easy grinding.
Grind Matic Manual B-DTH is simi-
lar to the Grind Matic Manual B. It is
mainly intended for in-the-hole bits, but
can also be used for threaded bits with a
special bit holder. As an optional acces-
sory, the machine can be equipped with
a belt grinder for gauge grinding.
Grind Matic BQ2 is the latest semi-
automatic machine, with many features
such as auto-indexing device, timer con-
trol, automatic feed, and an automatic
centring arm.
These features, coupled to an ergo-
nomic design, ensure high productivity,
and the machine is designed to handle
large volumes of threaded button bits.
Cooling water is recycled after the
waste product has been separated in a
container.
Grind Matic BQ2-DTH is the latest
grinding machine for mainly down-
the-hole and Coprod bits. It can also

Diamond grinding wheels. Grind Matic Manual B.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 43

 Talking Technically
Grind Matic Manual B-DTH.
be used for threaded bits with a special
bit holder. The machine has the same
features as Grind Matic BQ2, and can
grind bits up to 7 in diameter.
Comparison of grinding wheel with grinding cup.
44 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
Grind Matic BQ2-DTH.
Grinding advice
The Grind Matic machine’s secret of
success is that both the grinding table
and the diamond grinding wheel rotate.
The result is perfectly ground button
surfaces, regardless of whether the but-
tons are spherical or ballistic.
In addition, the machine’s unique
diamond grinding wheel is designed
to ensure even wear on its grinding
surface, while still retaining its profile.
This, in turn, guarantees the button
shape throughout the life of the wheel.
Secoroc’s advice is to use Grind
Matic grinding machines, with profiled
diamond grinding wheels, for grinding
button bits. It is the only solution able
to consistently deliver perfectly shaped
buttons on customers’ bits.
Correct grinding is important for
every drilling operation, particularly
in these days of cost consciousness and
fierce competition. It can make a world
of difference to the bottom line.
Bo Persson
 El Aguilar, Argentina

Exploring the potential of

El Aguilar
Keeping in touch
In the remote mountain range
of northern Argentina, the El
Aguilar mine is being equipped
with modern technology to meet
ambitious goals. Located 4,300 m
above sea level, and surrounded
by desert and mountains, the
mine is remote and difficult to
reach. However, to run the coun-
try’s mos t impor tant under-
ground zinc, lead and silver mine,
El Aguilar management keeps
well in touch with the benefits of
new technology.

Pioneers
The mine, which lies in the eastern
slope of El Aguilar mountains, is owned
by Compañía Minera Aguilar S.A.
(CMA), which also owns Sulfacid S.A.,
a refinery pioneer in the sulphuric acid
and electrolytic zinc industry. Here, in
this isolated but unique mining com-
munity of about 4,000 people, 350 work
in the mine in three, 8 hour shifts per
day.
Production currently runs at 38,000 t/
month, and the mine’s short term goal
is to increase this to 48,000 t/month.
Operations are widely dispersed
over a large area, and several fronts are
worked simultaneously. Therefore, all
equipment has to be used as efficiently
as possible.
The Aguilar orebody has great po-
tential. Even though it has been mined
for more than 70 years, new sectors are
now being discovered. Furthermore,
the company has significantly changed
its strategy in recent years with regard
to the equipment it needs, and also in
terms of greater emphasis on explora-
tion. In order to reach its goals, CMA
employs a fleet of eight Atlas Copco
Boomer 104 and Boomer 281 drill rigs,
one Boltec 235 bolting rig, one Simba 157
production drilling rig, nine Scooptram
loaders ST6C, EST 3.5, ST710 and ST2G,
The El Aguilar mine is located at 4,300 m above sea level and surrounded by mountains and deserts.
and three core drilling rigs Diamec U6,
Diamec 252 and Diamec 262.
Many of these products have been
acquired with the assistance of long-
term financing arrangements provided
by Atlas Copco Customer Finance that
have been consistently offered despite a
difficult economic situation within the
country.
Exploration and
development
The CMA mine is divided into three
main sectors, according to the degree of
mechanization employed and the grade
of the ore. These are Pique Inferior,
which is the deepest at level 31; Mina
Esperanza; and Nueva Norte, which is
in itself divided into two parts, Mina
Rincón and Mina Oriental. In Pique
Inferior, the aim is to go deeper and a new
raise has increased mineral resources.
Mina Esperanza has been accessed
via the lower drift on the third level as
the higher levels are gradually exhaus-
ted. Given the shape of the orebody,
which has a dip of more than 50 degrees,
the entire operation will use only cut-
and-fill or long hole stoping methods.
The Boomer 104 is used for face dril-
ling, while the Simba 157 is used in
production to drill the 18 m high stopes.
For safety reasons, the LHDs are oper-
ated by remote control.
In Nueva Norte, particularly in Mina
Oriental, the miners are only a few me-
tres from the orebody and an 89 m deep
ventilation shaft has been raise bored.
In this section, the main mining method
is cut-and-fill. In faces of cross-section
4.5 m by 4.5 m they drill around 50 holes

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 45

 Exploring the Potential of El Aguilar
The Simba H157 at work.
45 mm diameter and 14 ft long. At present,
El Aguilar is 95 percent mechanized
and several of the latest methods of
excavation are being employed, some
developed on site.
These methods in-clude: room and
pillar with bench and fill; conventional
cut-and-fill; cut-and-fill with horizontal
Typical drill patterns at El Aguilar.
CABLEBOLT DRILLING
Rows of 5 holes every 1.5 m
�
PRODUCTION DRILLING
Rows of 7 holes every 1.5 m
46 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
and vertical chambers using long hole
drilling, and muck-ing out with remote
control vehicles and other variants;
sublevel stoping, underground vertical/
sub-vertical benching; and exploration
methods for deep levels.
In December, 2004 a shaft was con-
structed in Mina Esperanza exclusively
�
5 7
1 1
to generate ventilation from the tunnel to
level 577, the equivalent of 110-115 m.
With this new method, all the air enters
via the tunnel, flows through the entire
sector, and is extracted via the shaft.
In addition, an exhaust fan was placed
in the entrance of the mine to extract
the air and distribute it to different un-
derground sectors. The installation of a
ventilation shaft in Pique Inferior will
allow fresh air to enter the lower levels.
El Aguilar has one of the world’s
highest proportions of support elements
in relation to tonnage produced, which
indicates the complexity of the orebody.
The ground is very varied, irregular, and
dominated by fractures or faults. In ad-
dition, El Aguilar has devised an ad-
vanced ground control method which
has served as a model for operations in
remote places around the world.
The drifts generally have roofs of
very poor quality rock with consistent
faults, although the floors are generally
of good quality. This makes it necessary
to employ a range of bolting techniques
for different types of rock bolts, from
short bolts such as split-set or Swellex,
and cement grouted rebar. Cable bolt-
ing with the Boltec 235H, shotcreting,
and steel arches are also used to good
effect.
Pillar of the community
On the surface, the El Aguilar mine
provides for the well-being of the whole
community. The town relies completely
on the company for its fresh water and
electricity supplies, as well as for its
well-equipped 40-bed hospital, its
schools, stores, churches, sports and
cultural and other facilities. A private
transport company provides transporta-
tion between the mine and the nearest
densely populated cities of La Quiaca
and San Salvador de Jujuy.
The company is not just a business, it
also has a strong social responsibility.
Acknowledgements
Atlas Copco is grateful to the manage-
ment at El Aguilar for its assistance
in the preparation of this article. This
article first appeared in Atlas Copco
Mining & Construction magazine No 2
2005.
 New South Wales, Australia

Increasing drilling rates at Ridgeway

Big output
A determination to benefit from
drill rig automation technology
can be seen in practice at Newcrest
Mining’s Ridgeway gold-copper
operation, a mine that has already
produced impressive performan-
ces in terms of profitability and
production. The mine is one of
Australia’s largest underground
mines with a total ore produc-
tion of 5.6 million t/y. Located near
Orange in Central New South
Wales, near the well-known Cadia
Hill open pit mine, Ridgeway has
only been in operation since 2002.
In April, 2005 the mine switched
from contractor to owner mining.
Looking to further increase the
productivity of their two Atlas
Copco Simba L6 C longhole pro-
duction drill rigs, the manage-
ment has introduced a higher
level of automation, resulting in
improved drilling rates with the
same manning and equipment.

Sub level caving

The Ridgeway deposit, discovered in
1996, lies 500 m below the surface and
is accessed by a decline. Extraction of
the gold-copper ore began in 2002,
and in 2004 the mine produced almost
450,000 ounces of gold and 45,000 t
of copper. Production is by sub level
caving, commencing at the top of the
orebody, with extraction levels at 25 m
vertical intervals.
Today, 5.6 million t/y of material is
mined, and Ridgeway is recognized as
one of the most efficient gold producers
in operation, with sufficient mineable
ore reserves to last until 2018.
Having successfully used single-
hole automation for several years to
drill during shift changes and breaks,
Atlas Copco’s Advanced Boom Control
(ABC) fan automation technology was
selected to further enhance this capa-
bility. Ridgeway has two Atlas Copco
Simba L6 C production rigs continu-
ously employed on drilling upholes,
one of which is currently fitted with the
Atlas Copco Simba L6 C production rig fitted with ABC Total for computerized operation.
ABC system, an automation technology
that is well-suited to the application.
However, a low-cost option was req-
uired to deliver extra drilling capacity,
and the management decided that ABC
Total had the potential to give a pro-
ductivity improvement of up to 10%.
As a result, the first Simba was equip-
ped with ABC Total for appraisal, and
then the second Simba was automated
and fully functional by March, 2006.
Fully automated
The ABC Total version of the Atlas
Copco technology employed at the
Ridgeway mine fully automates the
drilling process. The boom and feed
are positioned automatically according
to a pre-programmed drill pattern and
drilling sequence. Automatic collar-
ing, rod changing and drilling of each
hole in the sequence are then carried
out without direct involvement of the
operator.
The need to manually change bits
during the drilling of some long holes,
or between holes, had been a major hur-
dle for the mine to overcome in its drive
to fully automate production and deve-
lopment drilling processes.
This is the first time that a mine in
Australia has used a mechanized bit
changing system in conjunction with
the rig automation technology. The bit
carousel rotates, allowing drill bits to
be removed and replaced without ope-
rator intervention. This process is acti-
vated by the Atlas Copco Rig Control
System, RCS, which is an integral part
of the automation package.
Continuous drilling
Ridgeway’s use of the ABC and bit
changing systems marked a significant

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 47

 increasing Drilling Rates at Ridgeway
The Simba bit changer allows drill bits to be
removed and replaced automatically.
point in the adoption of such advance
automation technology by theAmining
industry in general.
Automation and associated perform-
ance monitoring and control technology
are the key to harnessing all the power
that can be generated with modern rock
drills.
While RCS technology is well esta-
blished, the recently developed Atlas
Copco bit changing system opens the
door to full automation of continuous
drilling sequences and processes for
many mines.
Current drilling technology is so
advanced, with electronic systems able
to monitor, measure and relay thou-
sands of bytes of performance data per
minute, that adjustments can only be
made by a computerized control
system.
48 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
Drill steel support
Rod magazine
Bit cassette
Rock Drill
The next step at Ridgeway would
be to take advantage of Ethernet, or
even wireless communications tech-
nology, in order to download drill
plans from mine planning offices to
drilling equipment, and transfer pro-
duction data backB to the main com-
puter. The operator would be able to
see how accurately he has been drilling,
and make any necessary adjustments
almost immediately.
Acknowledgements
This article first appeared in Atlas Copco
Mining & Construction magazine No 1
2006.
How the bit changer works
A
Figure 1. All the rods from the drill string
are moved over to the magazine of the Simba
(see insert, left). The rock drill advances to the
drill steel support (A) to collect the worn bit on
its shank adapter. The rock drill then moves
backwards to the bit changing position. The
drill bit cassette swings in to collect the bit.
B
Figure 2. The worn bit is unthreaded from the
shank adapter and retained in the rotating
cassette by a locking arm (B). The rock drill
then moves backwards.
Figure 3. The cassette rotates to align the new
bit with the rock drill. The rock drill then moves
forward to collect the new bit. The drill bit cas-
sette swings aside, allowing the rock drill to
move forward and place the new drill bit into
the drill steel support. The first drill rod is then
loaded from the rod magazine and drilling can
begin again
 Campo Formoso, Brazil

Sub level caving for chromite

In search of
excellence
Cia de Ferro Ligas da Bahia (Fer-
basa) is a private capital group,
which produces chromite, silicon
and limestone. One of Brazil’s most
important metallurgical compa-
nies, Ferbasa has surface and un-
derground mining operations in
the state of Bahia in north-eastern
Brazil, where their Pedrinhas open
pit chrome mine, located in Campo
Formoso, has been in operation
since 1961. Pedrinhas currently pro-
duces about 2,400,000 cu m/year of
chromite ore and waste, yielding
54,000 t/year of hard lump chro-
mite and 114,000 t/year of chro-
mite concentrate. At the Medrado
and Ipueira underground mines,
lump chromite is produced using Entrance to the Ipueira mine.
primarily sublevel caving techni-
ques with raises opened using slot of run-of-mine ore for a final produc- an operator’s panel. This machine is
drilling, where a fleet of Atlas
Copco equipment offers key sup-
tion of 127,000 t of hard lump. In the used in all situations at the underground
port in exploration, development same year Medrado produced 192,000 t mine, to drill holes of up to 150 m deep.
and production. of ROM ore for a final production of The decision to acquire this machine
48,000 t of hard lump. Current target took into account the fact that it is eq-
is a total of 216,000 t of hard lump. uipped with a wire line system. This
Underground geology feature makes possible to conduct core
Underground exploration drilling in the worst rock conditions,
Located in the city of Andorinha, around such as the faulted and fractured rock
100 km from the Pedrinhas mine, the The company is always looking for the at Ferbasa.
company’s underground operations have best way of doing things in consultation Ferbasa carries out about 7,200 m/y
been developed within the Medrado/ with workers, technical consultants and of drift development. The fleet of deve-
Ipueira deposit. through visits to other mines. The con- lopment rigs includes two Atlas Copco
This is one of several chromite-min- sultation process also includes manufac- face drilling rigs. One is a Boomer 252
eralized intrusions in the Jacurici Valley turers of mining equipment, with which rig equipped with COP 1238 rock drill
in the north-east of the São Francisco Ferbasa discusses the best technological which drills 3.9 m long holes to achieve
Craton, which hosts Brazil’s largest options for its operations. This consul- 6,000 drilled metres/month at a pro-
chromite deposits. Being irregular and tation process is very important for the ductivity of 55 m/hour. There is also a
fractured with numerous faults, the de- mine, in order to help maintain a high Rocket Boomer M2 D rig equipped with
posit presents a considerable geological level of modernization. COP 1838ME rock drill which drills 4.5
and mining challenge. From a geological point of view, the m long holes to achieve 12,000 drilled
The Medrado/Ipueira deposit is di- Medrado/Ipueira orebody represents a metres/month at an average rate of 70
vided into several mining areas. There challenge. With an average thickness of m/hour.
are the Medrado mine and the Ipueira 8 m, and 500 m long panels, the orebody
mine, the latter of which is divided into is irregular and fractured with numer- Sublevel caving
five working areas: Ipueira II, III, IV, ous faults. The accurate delineation of
V and VI. Currently, besides Medrado, the orebody is very important, and to The main underground mining method
only Ipueira II, III, IV and V are opera- this end the geology department has to employed is longitudinal sublevel ca-
tional, whereas Ipueira VI is a future carry out a great deal of exploration ving, though open stoping is also used
expansion project. The underground mi- drilling. The main machine employed in in some areas of Ipueira, depending on
nes have been in steady operation since this key task is an Atlas Copco Diamec the layout of the orebody. When the ore-
1977. In 2004, Ipueira produced 450,000 t U6 exploration drill rig equipped with body is vertical, sublevel caving is used

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 49

 Sub level caving for chromite

Production
N 55 Production loading

Charging – production holes

N 65

N 75 Production drilling

N 85 Mucking out

Charging
N 95

Development
N 105 Scaling

N 115 Drilling

N 125 Shot
creting

Layout of Ipueira mine.

and, in the few cases when the orebody
is horizontal, open stoping is the pre-
ferred method. Both methods are safe,
with currently acceptable dilutions.
However, the management has started
looking for suitable alternative methods
that will reduce the dilution in future.
For longitudinal sublevel caving, produc-
tion drifts are developed in the footwall
of the orebody. The vertical distance
between sublevels varies from 14 m to
30 m. Production drilling is upwards,
using a fan pattern. The broken ore is
loaded using LHDs, and is hauled from
the production levels to the surface
using rigid frame trucks.
In terms of production, the company
drills 180,000 m/year of production
blast holes, which have a diameter of
51 mm and a burden of 2.2 m. At the
same time, they are studying the pos-
sibility of changing to 76 mm diameter
holes and 2.8 m burden, in order to re-
duce costs.
The fleet of production drill rigs in-
cludes an Atlas Copco Simba 254 and
a Simba 253, both electro-hydraulic

The locations of drifts and drill patterns are adapted to the ore-waste boundaries.

Blast holes

Ore
Cable

Waste

Drift

2.2 m

50 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


Slot drilling at Ferbasa: the Simba M6 C-ITH in action and right the perfectly finished row of holes.
rigs equipped with COP 1238ME rock
drills, which drill 6,000 m/month to
achieve a productivity of 22 m/h. The
mine also has a Promec M195 pneu-
matic rig equipped with COP 131EL
rock drill. These drill rigs are also used
to drill orebody definition holes, and
achieve 3,500 m/month.
Slot drilling
One of the main challenges at Ferbasa’s
underground operations is the develop-
ment of inverse drop raises. These open-
ings, which are also called ‘blind raises’
because they don’t communicate with
the upper level, can only be accessed
from the lower level. This limitation is
dictated by the mining methods.
Previously these blind raises were de-
veloped upwards by successive individual
The slot drilling crew with their Simba M6 C-ITH.
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 51
Sub level caving for chromite
advances of up to 6 m. Nowadays, this
practice has been replaced with a fully
mechanized method, increasing the
speed and safety of drilling the open-
ings. Looking for a solution to improve
operator safety when drilling these pro-
duction raises, technical personnel from
Ferbasa visited LKAB’s Malmberget
iron ore mine in Sweden, where they
studied the development of inverse drop
raises blasted in one single shot. After
the visit, Ferbasa started employing a
slot drilling technique, and Ipueira and
Medrado are now the most experienced
mines in Brazil in its use. Slot drilling
requires a row of 190 mm diameter inter-
connected holes to be drilled using a
special guide mounted on a regular ITH
drill hammer. Thus, with an available
free face, drilling accuracy, and con-
trolled blasting techniques, openings
of up to 25 m in length are successfully
achieved. The main advantages of the
method are personnel safety and speed
in the drilling. Also, slot drilling is
more precise and, in general, more
productive.
A Simba M6 C-ITH drill rig equip-
ped with COP 64 ITH hammer and ABC
Regular system, as well as an on-board
booster compressor, has been acquired
for drilling inverse drop raises with
holes up to 10 in diameter. Depending on
the length of the raise, and the quality
of the rock mass, the slot drilling tech-
nique is used. If the length of the raise
is short, and the rock quality poor, the
traditional technique with reamed holes
is used.
Until the Simba M6 C-ITH arrived,
Ferbasa was carrying out slot drilling
with only one machine. They chose the
new Simba rig because of its advanced
technological and safety features. One
of the main advantages is the setup, which
only has to be carried out once at each
site. The Simba M6 C-ITH drill rig is also
easy to operate, and the spacious, air-
conditioned cabin is an attractive feature.
The mine spent five years looking for
a solution to the opening of inverse drop
raises, and is pleased with its invest-
ment in technology and modernization
represented by the Simba M6 C-ITH.
Acknowledgements
The managements at both Ipueira and
Medrado mines are thanked for their
contributions to this article, which
first appeared in Atlas Copco Mining
& Construction Magazine No 3 2005.
Atlas Copco Cabletec LC.

52 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Michilla, Chile

First Cabletec cable bolting rig in

South America
Winning in Michilla
Cable bolting and grouting ope-
rations have been greatly speeded
up at the Michilla Copper Mine
in Chile with the introduction of
an Atlas Copco Cabletec cable bol-
ting rig, the first of its genre to
be deployed in South America.
Indeed, the cables necessary for
securing the production stopes at
Michilla are now installed 15 times
faster than they were previously.
This has released manpower for
other work, and improved the over-
all efficiency of the mining ope-
ration. Above all, the Michilla ex-
perience is a great reference for
this new concept machine, which
is set to revolutionize cable bolt
installation underground.

Successful operation
The Cabletec has been successfully ope-
rating for a year in Antofagasta Minerals’
Michilla copper mine in Chile, some
750 km north of Santiago.
The main mining method at Michilla
is cut-and-fill using a drift and pillar
layout in which mining progresses up-
wards. The production drifts are 7 m
x 5 m and the pillars are 7 m x 7 m.
Some sub level stoping is also used.
Systematic cable bolting is required to
ensure safety while other rigs are drill-
ing production holes upwards through
the orebody. A total of 100,000 m/y of Drilling and cable installation are carried out simultaneously by separate booms on the Cabletec.
cable bolts are needed for all the under-
ground operations. During its first year at feeding of the grouting hose and cable Superior productivity
Michilla, the Cabletec has shown very into the pre-drilled hole is undertaken
positive results. Its cable installation ca- using one boom, while the other boom Prior to the arrival of the Cabletec, cables
pacity is some 50% better than alterna- is used to drill the next bolt hole. Both were installed manually, each taking
tive mechanized solutions. It gives a safe operations can be carried out simulta- about 105 minutes to grout and install.
and greatly improved working environ- neously, greatly reducing cycle time Today, the Cabletec does it in only 7 mi-
ment, with all operations controlled from and increasing functionality. Because nutes, with less interference and using
the silenced, air-conditioned cab. drilling and cable installation are car- fewer operators, saving valuable time
ried out by separate booms, there is no and greatly improving the efficiency of
Two booms risk of cement soiling the drill unit, or the production operation. The total cost
splattering components, significantly of rock reinforcement is historically
The Cabletec is unique, in that it is a reducing maintenance costs compared USD1.8/t of ore. However, Michilla
twin boom machine. Positioning and to other mechanized methods. management estimates that, thanks to

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 53

 Cabletec cable Bolter in South America

Cabletec is a fully mechanized cable bolting rig with the Rig Control System, RCS, for high productivity and precision.

the speed of the Cabletec, about 20%
of this cost is being saved.
The drilling boom on the Cabletec in
Michilla is equipped with a COP 1838
rock drill and a rod-handling carousel
with a capacity of 17+1 Speedrods.
These are each 1.8 m long, facilitating
At Michilla four parallel holes are drilled for bolting in each row in the 7 m wide production drifts.
hole depths of up to 32.4 m and today
they use 63.5 mm drill bits.
The 1,700 kg capacity cable cassette
at the rear of the rig is easy to refill,
thanks to its unique fold-out design.
The onboard silo has a capacity of
1,000 kg of dry cement, and auto-
matic mixing is to a predetermined
formula, resulting in a smooth grout-
ing process. For face drilling, Michilla
has Boomer M2 C drill rigs, as well as
Boomer 127 and 282 rigs equipped with
14 ft rods, for an effective pull of
3.7-3.8 m. ANFO is the bulk explosive
used. About 800 m/month of drift is
developed and 110,000 t/month of rock
is mined, of which 40,000 t is waste.
Michilla is operating at depths of be-
low 600 m, and produced 46,000 t of fine
copper in 2005. Resources are expected
to last until 2012, after which produc-
tion will shift from underground to
surface operations.

Acknowledgements
The management at Michilla are thanked
for their assistance in the preparation of
this article which first appeared in Atlas
Copco Mining & Construction magazine
No 1 2006.

54 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 Garpenberg, Sweden

Innovative mining at Garpenberg

Garpenberg Garpenberg North

Gruvsjö shaft Shaft

Lina shaft Capacity: 450 000 tpa Smältarmossen Dammsjön Capacity: 850 000 tpa
0Z 0Z

Dammsjö Agmin

?
400 Z ? Lappberget 400 Z

500-785 Z
500-
Finnhyttan 800 Z
Tyskgården Gransjön
800 Z 700- 800 Z
1000 Z Kaspersbo 870
70 Z
910 Z
Kanal Ore Strand Ore
? 925-1100 Z
Potential

1200 Z Dammsjön Kvarnberget 1100- 1000-1300 Z 1200 Z

1400 Z

1600 Y 2000 Y 2400 Y 2800 Y 3200 Y 3600 Y 4000 Y 4400 Y 4800 Y 5200 Y

Production levels

Potential areas outside ore reserves 2005-01

Idealized long section at Garpenberg showing all orebodies and shafts.

One million
AB Zinkgruvor developed a new main 5-6 m thick slices drilled horizontally
tonnes of ore shaft and concrete headframe and the from 50-300 m long and up to 15 m
The Garpenberg mine, located adjacent concentrator. Boliden acquired wide stopes. Rock fill was used in the
200 km northwest of Stockholm, the mine in 1957 and completed the bottom cut, and either plain sand or
extracts more than 1 million t/y of
development of a second shaft in 1972, cemented hydraulic fill above. The
ore. The ore is polymetallic and
contains mainly zinc, silver and accessing the 800 m level at Garpenberg sand comes from the coarse fraction of
also some lead, copper and gold. North, having a hoisting capacity of the mill tailings, and the fill is supple-
Additionally, about 500,000 t of 850,000 t/y and effectively creating a mented by development waste.
development waste is excavated second and larger mine. Mining starts normally at the centre
annually. Over recent years, Gar-
Between these two shafts, the com- of the base level of the stope and pro-
penberg has been forced to add
reserves, or reconsider its future. pany located another orebody under the gresses towards the ends and upwards.
Happily, more orebodies have Dammsjön and, in the 1980s, consid- The last cut, just below the crown pillar,
been discovered, and new stoping ered draining the lake in order to develop is heavily reinforced to facilitate the
methods and drilling technology an open pit. recovery of the 8-15 m high pillar using
introduced. Atlas Copco has co-
The mineralization in the Garpen- up holes drilling and blasting.
operated closely with Garpenberg
management to resolve techni- berg area occurs in a long, narrow syn- The undercut-and-fill method, pro-
cal issues, designing and sup- clinal structure which is believed to be gressing downwards, was used in the
plying equipment to suit the Middle Precambrian, but may have been Strandgruvan section from the mid-70s
evolving objectives. As a result, remobilized later. The orebodies are until 2001, when the ore was mined out.
the mine achieved its Mt of ore in
vertically extensive lenses that are usu- This method provided a safe working
2005, at very acceptable grades.
ally narrow, much folded and therefore roof in the weak, fractured ore with
twisting and irregular. unstable footwall, for just the extra
cost of cement and rebar reinforcement.
History Cut and fill The method was suited to the orebody
irregularities, and no crown pillar had
Mining has been conducted at Garpen- Until very recently all of the ore, sub- to be left or recovered. The introduc-
berg since the 13th century. The present divided in 100 m-high slices, was ex- tion of trackless mining and further
operations started in 1950-53, when tracted by cut-and-fill mining, taking exploration of the mineralization in the

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 55

 Innovative mining at Garpenberg
Simba M7 C production drill rig at Garpenberg.
Garpenberg North mine led to the pro-
gressive extension of a 1:7 ramp down
to the 910 m level. In 1998-99, it was
extended to the 1,000 m level, increas-
ing the overall length to 8.7 km.
To increase hoisting capacity at the
Garpenberg mine, the new Gruvsjö pro-
duction shaft was completed in 1997
and the original shaft was converted
for personnel and materials hoisting.
With a hoisting capacity of 450,000
t/y, the newer shaft connects with a
ramp accessing the Kanal and Strand
orebodies.
The present operating area extends
approximately 4.5 km SW to NE from
the original shaft to the Gransjön mi-
ning section.
Concentrate production
Upgraded in the early 1990s, the con-
centrator yields separate zinc, lead,
copper and precious metals concen-
trates. The zinc and lead concentrates
are trucked to Gävle harbour and ship-
ped either to Kokkola in Finland or Odda
in Norway. Copper and precious metals
concentrates are railed to the Rönnskär
smelter in Sweden. Since 1957, Boliden
has milled over 20 million tonnes of ore
at Garpenberg.
56 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
While the new shaft raised hoisting
capacity, and ramp extension accessed
new ore in the North mine, metals pro-
duction rose to record levels in 1998.
However, this improvement could not
be maintained. Zinc concentrate output
fell from 69,051 t in 1998 to 61,126 t in
2001, despite a rise in ore production.
And proven plus probable ore reserves
declined from 5.7 Mt in 1998 to 2.2 Mt
at 4.0% Zn in 2003, putting a question
mark on the future of the mine.
However, Boliden continued to make
investments in technology for the long
term at Garpenberg. The mine, the com-
pany and the market are now benefiting.
And the geologists are very popular.
New reserves
Probably the most significant event at
Garpenberg during the period of decline
was the discovery in 1998 of a new ore-
body between Garpenberg North and
Dammsjön, named Lappberget. This
encouraged the company to start deve-
lopment in 2000 of an approximately
3.0 km long drift to connect the 900 m
level at Garpenberg North, first to Lapp-
berget for exploration access, and thence
to the ramp at the 800 m level at Garpen-
berg. During 2001, Boliden started core
drilling at the 800 m and 1,000 m levels
in Lappberget, and by February, 2003
was able to start mining ore from the
new source. Zinc concentrate produc-
tion in the year increased to 80,748 t.
In March, 2004 the connecting drift
was completed, and the formerly sepa-
rate mines have since been regarded and
managed as a single operation. The drift
allows access and infrastructure deve-
lopment of new mineable areas, and
Garpenberg quickly boosted mine output.
The main focus has been on Lappberget,
including driving a ramp close to the ore-
body from the 350 m level, with connec-
tion to the surface scheduled for 2007.
The Tyskgården mineralization, discov-
ered in the early 1980s, also became
accessible, and mining started there in
2003-4. In 2004 Boliden discovered an
extension of the Dammsjön mineraliza-
tion around the 800 m level, and during
2005 a new discovery was made, the
reportedly large and potentially high-
grade Kvarnberget deposit.
Higher output
In 2005, the mine produced 1,102,000 t
ore grading 5.75% Zn, 2.28% Pb, 0.09%
Cu and 117 g/t Ag. Approximately 40%
of the ore came from Lappberget. The
mill yielded 101,000 t of 55.3% zinc
concentrate; 29,000 t of 72% lead con-
centrate with 1,800 g/t silver; 2,800 t
of 15% copper concentrate with 40,000
g/t; and 120 t of precious metal con-
centrate grading 65% lead, 40,000 g/t
silver and 400 g/t gold. Some 967,000
t of tailings retained 0.34% Zn, 0.29%
Pb, 0.02% Cu and 25.5 g/t Ag. By
end-2005 Boliden employed 280 people
at Garpenberg, with a further 70 work-
ing for contractors at the site.
The operation works around the
clock 7 days/week in both the con-
centrator and the mine, with mining
carried out by four production teams
supported by a development crew and
a charging crew. Garpenberg is the
Hedemora Community’s largest private
sector employer.
Since the beginning of 2005 explora-
tion has continued, not only adding tonnes,
but also raising average grade. Thanks
to the exploration effort, Garpenberg
also started 2006 with proven reserves
of 4.73 Mt grading 6.0% Zn, 2.5% Pb,
 Innovative mining at Garpenberg

0.1% Cu, 99 g/t Ag and 0.3 g/t Au.

Probable ore brought total reserves up
to 10.67 Mt. That compares with 3.63
Mt of reserves at the beginning of 2005. 896 Z
Total resources were also increased, from 7 10
0 8 11 9
11.08 Mt in January, 2005 to 13.22 Mt.
Mined in
“Central Zone” 3m
This should be sufficient to add another
916 Z
15-20 years to mine life.
These quantities should increase
further when portions of the orebodies
Possible
sequence 3 9 4 10 5 11
at Kaspersbo (from 1,000 m down to
1,300 m), Lappberget (500–800 m and 6
1,100–1,400 m), Dammsjön (500–785
m and 925–1,100 m), and a smaller sec- 956 Z

tion at Tyskgården are included in the 17.5 m Primary stope:

15 m wide x 40 m high
Secondary stope:
20 m wide x 40 m high
reserves figures. Kvarnberget is yet to Drawpoint Paste fill
Note:
N
Note
Rock fill
fill

be added, and Boliden is also exploring

spacing
How
Ho
ow this
o t hole must be designed to just
miss
m the
t drift below to break properly
to the north of the Gransjön where the 1 6 2 7 3 8 4
property extends for several kilometres.
996 Z

Sublevel stoping at
Lappberget
The geological and geotechnical char- Sublevel stoping layout and mining sequence for Lappberget orebody.
acteristics of significant portions of the
newly-discovered orebodies allow mi- billion for developing Lappberget. The is relatively small, and large quantities
ning using more productive longhole overall programme includes: increasing of development muck have to be accom-
methods instead of cut-and-fill. Lapp- concentrator capacity to 1.2 Mt/y; modated underground as hoisting facili-
berget ore, for instance, can be up to 60 m designing and building a paste fill pro- ties are used for ore only.
wide through considerable vertical dis- duction/distribution system; and start- The method can be described as a
tances, and has proved to be suitable ing longhole drilling. This latter project modified sublevel stoping with succes-
for sub-level stoping using a system of involved rill mining in the Tyskgården sive back fill as mining is progressing.
primary and secondary stopes progress- orebody, followed by sublevel stoping The 10 m wide cut-off slots are drilled
ing upwards. in Lappberget. across the orebody using up-holes and
Primary stopes are 15 m wide and blasted in one single firing, starting from
40 m high and filled with paste made Rill mining the centre. Seven 127 mm holes are left
from concentrator tailings mixed with uncharged to provide sufficient expan-
about 5% cement. The 20 m wide se- A special mining method known as rill sion for the remaining 64 mm holes.
condary stopes are filled with deve- mining has been developed for excavating After the slot has been opened, 70 de-
lopment muck without cement. High the Tyskgården orebody. The orebody grees up-holes fans consisting of eight,
precision drilling is necessary to get
optimum ore recovery and fragmenta- Development and primary stoping layout 1080 level.
tion.
This mining method can possibly be
used in parts of the Kaspersbo orebody,
if rock quality is high enough. This will
help with cost control, which is crucial
for mining in Sweden. With Lappberget
alone containing 5.46 Mt of the current
reserves, grading over 7% zinc and 2.6%
lead, plus silver and gold, it is no sur-
prise that present development activities
focus on using longhole-based produc-
tion from these orebodies to raise total
metal-in-concentrate output. Presently
eight orebodies are being exploited.
Garpenberg has generated a strategic
plan for 2006–2019 allocating SEK 1

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 57

 Innovative mining at Garpenberg
Rill mining in progress
Refill of waste
One fan

Max
2m

Approx. 15 m
8h
Blasted ore

ole
3 fa

s in

Approx. 15 m
ns i
Cut off slot

eac
no

h fa
ne

nØ
bla
Waste

70 m
st
1.8

m
m
70°

45°

Rill mining in progress.

approximately 17 m long, holes are
blasted into the void. Three rows having
a total of 24 holes are blasted simulta-
neously. After mucking out each blast,
new waste is discharged into the stope
forming a 45 degrees rill down into the
drawpoint. As the waste material will
stay quite stable at 45 degrees rill angle,
the risk of ore dilution is negligible.
Output limitations
The total mine output is restricted to
the 1.2-1.3 Mt/y hoisting capacity
available, with a limited amount of
truck ore haulage to surface possible.
And, although flotation capacity has
been improved, concentrator through-
put is now limited to the same sort of
tonnage by grinding mill capacity.
Assuming demand for Garpenberg con-
centrates increases in the near term, it
will be necessary for New Boliden to
decide whether to increase hoisting
capacity.
Developing the now-available reserves
for higher long-term production using ad-
ditional hoisting and processing capacity
might double the amount of investment
initially planned.
New drilling technology
Atlas Copco has supplied drilling equip-
ment to Boliden’s underground mines
for many years. Recently, the company
has worked particularly closely with
Garpenberg on the development of
computer-based technology for more
precise drilling and blasting to enhance
productivity and reduce ore dilution and
operating costs.

Drill pattern for cut off slot.

58 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


This joint development process star-
ted with the 1998-1999 ramp extension
at Garpenberg North. The complex geo-
logy results in winding cross sections
of varying width, and ore boundaries
which are difficult to predict by core
drilling. To enable the drifts in the cut
and fill stopes to follow the paths of the
orebodies, accurate production maps
and precise drill rig navigation are es-
sential. Producing drill plans in the
office is relatively easy. However, get-
ting drill plans that match the actual ore
boundaries is a challenge, and frequent-
ly the driller is obliged to improvize
while drilling, which can lead to poor
blasting results.
Drill plan generator
The drill plan generator overcomes the
ore navigation problem by assisting the
operator to create an optimum drill plan
right at the face. In case the generated
drill plan does not match the actual ore
boundaries, the operator can define new
coordinates to correct the situation. To
do this, having aligned the feed to the
laser beam to define the position of the
rig, the operator points the drill feeds
at the four corners of the face, in line
with the geologist’s marks. When all
adjustments have been made, the Rig
Control System RCS will develop the
most efficient round compatible with the
new parameters. The generated drill plan
is automatically entered into the Rocket
Boomer L2 C ABC standard drilling
system, and the operator can start dril-
ling. While drilling, each completed hole
is logged, and, if the Measure While
Drilling (MWD) option is activated,
the drilling parameters along the hole
are recorded. All of the data is logged
on the PC card for off-line processing
in the Tunnel Manager support pro-
gram, and is then transferred to the
mine database. As a result of the Drill
Plan Generator and ABC Regular,
Garpenberg North increased the size
of the production rounds from 400 t
to 600 t, reduced drilling time from 5
to 3 h/round, reducing costs of explo-
sives, scaling and rock support and,
most important, minimizing ore dilu-
tion. Garpenberg now has one Rocket
Boomer L2 rig with COP 3038 rock
drills and one Rocket Boomer L2 C
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 59
Innovative mining at Garpenberg
Mine coordinate system
X/Y horizontal
Z vertical
Reference point
(x, y, z)
Navigation system for downwards longhole production drilling.
with the COP 1838, as well as the
Rocket Boomer 352S.
Mine navigation
The availability of orebodies at Garpen-
berg suitable for mining with longhole
production drill rigs led to a further
collaboration. Having already transfer-
red RCS technology to the Simba long-
hole drill rigs, Atlas Copco provided
the mine with a Simba M7 C that is
additionally able to use new software
for precision longhole drilling. This
utilizes Garpenberg’s mine coordinate
reference, mapping and planning sy-
stem in a similar way to the software
developed for the Rocket Boomer L2 C
units.
Using a PC card, the Mine Navigation
package can effectively integrate the
Simba RCS with the mine coordinate
reference system, allowing the operator
to position the machine at the correct
vertical and horizontal coordinates in
the drilling drift for drilling planned
longhole fans in precisely the intended
place. Using the drill plan supplied by
Microsystem (or, in other mines, the Ore
Manager package) to the Rig Control
System, the operator can drill to the
exact x, y and z positions prescribed
for each hole bottom. Just as the Rocket
Reference line
X
Y
Z
Boomer rigs can use the MWD system
while face drilling, so the Simba can use
Quality Log to record drilling parame-
ters and compare the planned and actual
result, allowing holes to be re-drilled
if necessary.
This new technology will help Gar-
penberg to optimize economy and pro-
ductivity when applying long hole drilling
mining methods. The target for 2007
is to mine about 600,000 t of ore by cut-
and-fill, 300,000 t by sublevel stoping,
150,000 t by rill mining and 150,000 t
by crown pillar removal. Further ahead,
sublevel stoping may contribute 50%
of total mine production. However, at
present this mining method is com-
pletely new to the mining teams at
Garpenberg, and they have just started
the process of getting acquainted with
long hole drilling methods.
Acknowledgements
This article is based upon an original
report by Kyran Casteel. Atlas Copco
is grateful to the mine management at
Garpenberg for their assistance with
site visits, and in particular to Tom
Söderman and Lars Bergkvist for com-
ments and revision. This article first
appeared in Atlas Copco Mining &
Construction magazine No 3 2006.
 Innovative mining at Garpenberg

Headframe at Garpenberg.

60 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 kiruna, northern sweden

Automated longhole drilling with

Simba at LKAB
Mining of the 1910
1910
1900 Nivå m
0

Kirunavaara orebody 1920

1920
1930
1930
Ore beneficiation plant

1940
1940 142
1950
1950
1960
1960 230
Railway to Narvik port
275
1965
1965
320
1970
1970

420
1980
1980

540

1990
1990

Skip hoisting
2000
2000 Sea level 740
775

2005
2005 Ore buffer
Skip hoisting pockets

Exploration drift 1045 m Main haulage level

1045
1060 m
Crusher
1175

1365 m New haulage level

1365
Crusher

Mining of the Kirunavaara orebody over the last century.

Modern methods
LKAB is one of the world’s leading
producers of upgraded iron ore for
the steel industry. It’s iron ore mi-
nes at Kiruna and Malmberget
in Northern Sweden are models
of modern mining methods, with
high levels of automation in
rail transport, loading and produc-
tion drilling. Since 2002, production
at Kiruna has increased by 40%,
and the number of drill metres re-
quired has increased accordingly,
approaching 1 million m/y. High
capacity drill rigs are a must, and
the mine fleet of Atlas Copco
Simba rigs for up-hole drilling has
been expanded to cater for the huge
current longhole drilling demand.
Meantime, the requirement for slot
drilling has increased at Malm-
berget, where a new computerized
production drill rig is taking the
strain.
History at LKAB
LKAB is an international high-tech mi-
nerals group, one of the world’s leading
producers of upgraded iron ore pro-
ducts for the steel industry, satisfying
approximately 4% of the world market,
and a growing supplier of industrial
minerals products to other sectors
The company is wholly owned by the
Swedish state, and has more than 3,500
employees. Their two iron ore mines,
located above the Arctic Circle in the
far north of Sweden, are mining mostly
magnetite using sublevel caving.
The crude ore is dumped into under-
ground ore passes for loading onto trucks
or trains for hauling to a central crushing
plant. The crushed ore is then hoisted to
the surface for further processing. Un-
derground rail transport in Kiruna is
remote-controlled, as are some other
operations, for example, production dril-
ling and loading. This degree of auto-
mation enables greater efficiency in
process control.
During the 1990s, Atlas Copco and
LKAB developed a pioneering fully
automatic long hole production drilling
system using the Atlas Copco Simba
W469 drill rigs. These rigs have since
drilled about 8 million metres at the
Kiruna and Malmberget mines.
In 2005, LKAB ordered three new
Atlas Copco Simba W6 C, to comple-
ment the Simba W469s still in opera-
tion.
These new Simbas, based on the la-
test generation computerized drilling
technology, have met the expectations
of the customer, and now form a base
for future automation.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 61

 Automated Longhole Drilling with Simba at lkab
Front view of Simba W6 C drilling in full fan automatic.
Kiruna and Malmberget
The orebody in Kiruna is a single, enor-
mous slice of magnetite. It is about 4 km
long, has an average width of 80 m,
and extends to an estimated depth of
The automatic rod handling system with a capacity of 63 m of long holes.
62 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
2,000 m. It is inclined at roughly 60
degrees.
The main level is located on 1045
level, which is 1,045 m below surface
level of the original mountain Kiiruna-
vara. Mining of the orebody takes place
between the 775 m and 1,045 m levels.
The mining rate in 2007 is planned at
27.2 Mt of crude ore, rising to 29.6 Mt/y
by 2009.
The Malmberget mine consists of
about 20 orebodies, of which ten are
currently mined. Most of the deposits
are magnetite, but non-magnetic hema-
tite also occurs. The present main level
of the Malmberget mine is at a depth
of 1,000 m. The mining rate in 2007
is planned at 16.5 Mt of crude ore, sub-
ject to mining approvals, with planned
extraction rates of 17.1 Mt/y by 2012.
Sublevel caving
Slices of ore are drilled upwards with
remote-controlled production drilling
rigs and these rigs are equipped with fan
automation. From the control room,
the operators (drillers) operate several
drill rigs out in the production areas via
remote control.
The rig drills upwards into the ore at
80 degrees front inclination, forming
fanshaped patterns of holes. There are
nominally 10 drill holes in each fan.
They are drilled from 15 m to 58 m
in length. The holes are straight, so that
subsequent charging with explosive and
blasting can be done effectively and
efficiently. The drilling burden is us-
ually 3 m, but in some parts of Malm-
berget they use burdens of 3.5 m.
In 2007, Kiruna is planning to drill
1 million m of production holes to pro-
duce approximately 27 Mt, while Malm-
berget is planning to drill 600,000 m to
produce approximately 15 Mt of ore.
Of the three Simba production dril-
ling rigs purchased by LKAB in 2005,
two are Simba W6 C rigs, designed for
optimized production drilling at Kiruna,
with Wassara ITH-W100 water ham-
mers for nominally 115 mm diameter
holes. The third rig, a Simba W6 C Slot,
is specially designed to optimize up
hole slot drilling at Malmberget, using
165 mm nominal diameter slot drilling
equipment and the Wassara W120 ITH
hammer. The Simba W6 C Slot rig has
the ability to drill production holes
around the slot, with the added benefit
of drilling parallel rings from the same
setup with a burden of 500 mm.
LKAB demands high productivity,
efficiency and accuracy from its mine
 Automated Longhole Drilling with Simba at lkab

production drill rigs. Automation and

the ability to remotely control the drill
rigs is often an integral part of obtain-
ing the drilling rates required.
All LKAB production drill rigs have
magazines for sufficient rods or tubes
to drill the required production hole
lengths. A crane is always available
to assist with changing out worn drill
tubes and hammers to avoid heavy
lifting.

Simba W6 C
The Simba W6 C rigs are equipped with
a rig control system specially designed
for ITH applications. All units are eq-
uipped with Rig Remote Access via
standard WLAN systems, which ena-
bles a number of functions such as re-
mote supervision when drilling unman-
ned in full fan automation, as well as
data transfer of drill plans and log files.
If manual operation is preferred, the rig
cabin offers a good working environ-
ment with vibration dampening and
noise isolation.
Compared to its predecessor, the
Simba W469, mobility has been impro- Atlas Copco Simba W6 C at work.
ved thanks to reduced rig length and a
more powerful engine . This further re- the fan to planned hole ends, known as to optimize the feed pressure by using
duces the drilling cycle. An important autospreading. Rotation Pressure Controlled Feed
feature is the new water pump system, (RPCF). This function uses the rota-
which increases the efficiency, reduces Drilling accuracy tion pressure to read the process within
water spillage and lowers the overall the hole and adapt the feed pressure ac-
cost. A new air venting system ensures To achieve the demands for drilling ac- cordingly.
longer pump life, and the pump pres- curacy, with a hole deviation of less than The RCS gives a constant rotation
sure control has been modified to opti- 1%, it is important to select the best pressure that keeps the tube joints tight,
mize hammer efficiency. Some special possible tools for the task. ITH pro- and creates an optimized penetration
features of the Simba W6 C are: a reserve duces very straight holes, with an even rate.
hammer rack for four hammers; a place penetration rate throughout. To further The feed pressure on the Simba W6 C
for reserve drill bits; a crane for heavy improve drilling accuracy, hammer and is automatically controlled by the RPCF
lifting; WLAN communication capacity; guide tubes are used, both equipped and kept at the correct level at all times.
fan automation; tube magazine for with a guide skirt. Without this function there is an in-
35 x 1.8 m long drill tubes for 63 m long Rotation and feed pressures, feed creased risk of hole deviation. Due to
holes; drill cuttings catcher; short rig speed, and impact pressure all are fac- the advanced control by using the rota-
length; robust construction; six cylinder tors in achieving the necessary drilling tion pressure as a master, the system has
motor; higher drilling capacity; accu- accuracy. the capability of adapting the parameter
rate and easy set-up accuracy and ease With the Rig Control System (RCS) for feed pressure according to the rock
of set-up; and automatic redesign of on the Atlas Copco drill rig it is possible conditions.

Wassara W100 hammer used for ITH drilling at Kiruna.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 63

 Automated Longhole Drilling with Simba at lkab
Slot drilled and ready as a free face for blasting.
To keep a balance between high pe-
netration rate and hole deviation, the
feed speed is held back if it exceeds a
preset limit. The level is adjustable to
different ground conditions, and the feed
speed also alerts the operator to the need
for drill bit change. The impact pressure
in the hammer must be adjusted regu-
larly, so that it suits both local ground
conditions and bit selection. With the
RCS impact control there is a continu-
ous adjustment of the impact pressure
to match the ground conditions and the
condition of the hammer, optimizing
drilling performance.
Wassara hammers
ITH drilling can be carried out with water
driven hammer or air driven hammer.
The water hammer achieves a very clean
working environment when compared
to air driven hammers, which release
dust and lubricated air into the drifts.
Since all of the production drilling is
upwards, the water hammer was the
natural choice.
Wassara is an LKAB-owned com-
pany specialized in water hammer
64 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
application. It supplies two sizes of
hammer to the Simba W6 C: the W100
for production drilling, and the W120
for slot drilling in Malmberget. The
W100 has a required water f low of
200-350 l/min at 180 bar. For production
drilling, a bit size of 115 mm is used,
together a 102 mm diameter, 1.8 m long
specialized tube string. The W120 is used
for slot holes, which require a larger
165 mm diameter bit size. Water con-
sumption of the W120 is 450-500 l/min
at 160 bar. The drill string for slot drilling
is the same as for production drilling.
Slot hole drilling
The production stopes at Malmberget
are opened using the slot drilling tech-
nique, due to its efficiency and flex-
ibility.
First a pilot hole is drilled with a spe-
cialized pilot hammer with guide tube
and guide skirts to maintain straight-
ness. The pilot hammer is then replaced
with the slot hammer, using a lifting
crane mounted on the drill rig. Attached
to the slot hammer is a guide tube that
will guide the hammer from the pre-
viously drilled pilot hole. A complete slot
contains 10 holes, around which a num-
ber of blast holes are drilled and blasted.
All drilling operations are con-
trolled from the cabin, in case of spal-
ling rock. All cabins are equipped with
air conditioning, CD player, swingable
seat, and large windows for maximum
visibility.
Automatic drilling
At LKAB the Simba W6 C machines
are working with the highest level of
automation, ABC Total, which provides
a full fan automatic drilling system
with only some initial steps needed from
the operator. Within the ABC Total
package there is also the possibility to
drill manually or with one-hole auto-
matics, if preferred. All three levels
have built in safety interlocks during
the whole process, allowing the opera-
tor to leave the machine while drilling
is underway. Motion sensors detect any-
body entering the restricted area while
the machine is working under full auto-
matics. The machines carry on drilling
unmanned during shift change, lunch
break and night shift, adding valuable
drill metres.
Rig Remote Access
With increase of automation and de-
crease of manning, there is a growing
need for remote surveillance. Atlas
Copco has developed an interface with
the rigs called Rig Remote Access,
RRA. With RRA the user can connect
the drill rig to an existing network sy-
stem via LAN or WLAN. In LKAB the
RRA is used to transfer drill plans, log
files and to handle messages coming
from the rig control system. This sy-
stem is a 3-D program able to map the
whole coordinate system of the mine.
The drill plans are stored in an RRA
server, which is connected to the whole
network system both on surface and
underground. From the access points
underground, all data is received and
uploaded to the rigs.
The access points also work in the
opposite direction, when the machine
sends out messages on the network.
The messages are picked up from speci-
fied IP addresses, and can be read from
a laptop or PC located anywhere on the
network system. Messages from the rigs
could be log files such as quality logs,
Measure While Drilling MWD files, or
alarm messages.
The RRA can also be used to over-
view the drilling process on the cabin
display. This Remote Display function
can be used for surveillance of the drill-
ing process.
By using specified IP addresses, it
is possible to open the display menus
from any PC or laptop. With RRA, all
data handling in the mine has been
simplified, resulting in increased pro-
ductivity. The drill rigs can also work
unmanned, whilst being monitored
from a remote location.
Acknowledgements
Atlas Copco is grateful to the manage-
ments at LKAB Kiruna and Malmberget
mines for their assistance with this report,
and their kind permission to publish. The
original paper by P. Ericsson of Atlas
Copco and C. Griffiths of LKAB has been
edited to style and space.
 PRODUCTION DRILL RIG OVERVIEW

Modular program with maximum flexibility

Type 4
Type 3 Positioning:
Positioning: Rotation, 380°
Rotation, 380° Tilt forwards, 30°
Tilt forwards, 30° Tilt backwards, 30°
Tilt backwards, 30° Side movement, ±1.5 m
Side movement, ±1.5 m with sliding table
with sliding table Type M
Extra side movement, ±0.75 m
with pendulum arm COP 34,44,54,64

Type L COP 1838ME/MEX

COP 1838HE/HEX
Alternative pendulum
arm with 90° COP 2550UX
turned COP 4050MUX
feedholder Type M3/L3
Type 6
Positioning:
Rotation, 380°
Tilt forwards, 45°
Tilt backwards, 30°
Canopy Type M4 Sideways, ±1.5 m Type 7
Telescopic Positioning:
and FOPS- Reach, 3.5 - 5.1 m
approved Rotation, 360°
Boom up, 45°
Boom down, 15°
Sideways, ±35°
Forwards, 90°
Extra: Backwards, 10°
Turn table ±20°
Cabin with Type M6/L6
panoramic
view and
FOPS-approved

A HOLMBERG 2007
Engine module Front module Type M7

Rear module Power pack

© Atlas Copco 2003

The Simba M- and L-series production drilling rigs repre-
sent a concept that makes the drilling unit easier to run and
more productive to use. “Drilling with precision” has
been our motto and objective for both the mechanical
solutions and the electronic control system. Mechanical
components and electronics represent the absolute best
available, which is no small claim. And the Rig Control
System (RCS) adds extendable intelligence. The end-
results is a fleet of Simba rigs with the dynamic
flexibility to solve not just today’s needs but also
tomorrow’s.
The M-series are tophammer production drilling rigs with
RCS for high productivity and precision. Hole diameter
range 51-102 mm and hole depth up to 51 m with Rod
Handling System. Equipped with the well proven rock drill
COP 1800-series (51-89) or COP 2550UX (89-102). Available
in four configurations M3 C, M4 C, M6 C and M7 C.
The M-series are also available with ITH hammers COP 34,
44, 54 and 64 for hole diameter range 92-178 mm. Available
in three configurations, M3 C-ITH, M4 C-ITH and M6 C-ITH.
Hole depth up to 66 m with Rod Handling System.

With four different drill units, three feed lengths, six top-
hammer rock drills, a number of ITH hammers and an
extensive options program, we are able to offer the right
Simba for every application. Each Simba rig is designed
to be dismantled into its main components for ease of
lowering into narrow shafts.
The L-series are tophammer production drilling rigs with
RCS for high productivity and precision. Hole diameter
range 89-127 mm and hole depth up to 51 m with Rod
Handling System. Equipped with the well proven rock
drill COP 4050MUX. Available in two configurations,
L3 C and L6 C.

Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 65

 PRODUCTION DRILL RIG OVERVIEW

RD = Ring drilling 1500 (PH) Dimensions Stingerextension

PH = Parallel holes in mm

900
1150

1200 (900)
Feed extension
o 30 o
30
R
29
70
(R
D)

4915
380o
Simba, type 3

1825
(valid for feed BMH 150

216X and top hammer 7440 Stingerextension

equipped with extractor) Type M3 2000

RD = Ring drilling 3000 (PH) Dimensionsion mm Stingerextension

PH = Parallel holes

900
1150

1200 (900)
Feed extension
o
750 1500 750 30 30 o
R
29

150 0
70
(R
D)

(P
4600

R 27 380o
4915

90 (P

H)
H)
Simba, type 4

1825
(valid for feed BMH 150

216X and top hammer 7440 Stingerextension

equipped with extractor) Type M4 2000

3000 (PH) Dimensions Stinger extension

RD = Ring drilling
in mm
PH = Parallel holes

900
1150
Feed extension
1200 (900)
o
30 45 o
R
48
80
(R
5650

o 45 o
D)

45
5000

(RD)
R 2760
Simba, type 6 380o

2780
(valid for feed BMH 150

246X and top hammer 8520

Stinger extension
equipped with extractor) Type M6 2000

Dimensions
in mm
850
Stinger extension
700

1200 (900)
Feed extension
6140

50 Parallell holes with

11 0o boom-lift
35o boom-swing
Coverage area
00

1100x4690 mm
16

o
10 Dimensions with
7850

0o boom-lift
25o 35o boom-swing
90o
45o 35o Dimensions with
45o boom-lift
Simba, type 7 360o 25o boom-swing
900

(valid for feed BMH 150

2000
216X and top hammer Stinger extension

equipped with extractor) Type M7 3900 1600

66 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba 157
(24°) 900

55.5°
2690

± 114° 360°
1990

SIMBA H157

46.5°

965 1535 1150 1150 2635

All dimensions in mm
7435

Compact production drilling rig with hydraulic top- • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
hammer rock drill and Direct Control System, DCS. Pro- flushing capacity
vides a basic, efficient and productive long hole drilling • Cable reel and collector
solution for narrow vein applications. Ring drilling with
parallel holes up to 3.5 m apart. Maximum reach and
flexibility achieved with the BUT 4 boom. Ideal for Main optional equipment
cable bolt holes but also ordinary production drilling. • Water mist flushing, external water and air
• Rock drill lubrication warning kit
Hole diameter 51–76 mm depending on rock drill type. • Extractor unit (back hammering)
• Central lubrication system
• Rig alignment laser
Features • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex
• High drilling capacity with basic functions such as feed
force control by RPCF and anti-jamming. Manually
adjusted feed force from the operator’s panel.
• Rod handling is done from a swing out panel mounted
on the boom. Drilling controls are located at the
platform under the protection roof for operator safety.
• Rock drill, COP 1800-series
• Angle reading instrument ARI 157
• Stingers mounted on the positioning unit gives a sturdy
set up with less possible hole deviation
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
• Compact transport dimensions
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
• Electrically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba 157 Working range Simba 157

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME
Feed 1 x BMH 2,300/2,800
Dimensios
in mm
1500
Boom BUT 4B 1 x 900 mm extension Feed extension

Angle reading instrument 1 x ARI 157C

370
Stinger backward on feed 1 x 1,380 mm extension 900
(24°)
R32
40
0

Power pack 1 x 55 kW R2340

4910

Drilling system DCS

Length tramming 9,460 mm 55° 30 o
30
o

± 114° 360°
Width 1,360 mm
Height tramming 1,990 mm
Turning radius 4,400/2,485 mm 175 2635 900
1380
Stinger extension

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 9,500 kg

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 67

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba 1257

2800
2100

2060 1350 1350

7365 All dimensions in mm

Compact production drilling rig with hydraulic top- • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
hammer rock drill. Direct Control System, DCS. Provides flushing capacity
a basic, efficient and productive long hole drilling solution • Cable reel and collector
for narrow vein applications. Ring drilling with parallel
holes up to 5.7 m apart. Maximum reach and flexibility
achieved with the BUT 32 boom. Ideal for cable bolt holes Main optional equipment
but also ordinary production drilling. Hole diameter • Water mist flushing
• Rock drill lubrication warning kit
51–  89 mm depending on rock drill type.
• Extractor unit (back hammering)
• Automatic or central lubrication system for the boom
• Rig alignment laser
Features • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex
• High drilling capacity with basic functions such as feed • Rig washing kit
force control by RPCF and anti-jamming. Manually
adjusted feed force from the operator’s panel.
• Drilling, positioning and rod handling controls are
located at the platform under the protection roof for
operator safety
• Angle reading instrument ARI 1257
• Rod Handling System, RHS 10
• Rock drill, COP 1800-series
• Stingers mounted on the positioning unit gives a
sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
• Compact transport dimensions
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
• Electrically driven compressor for rock drill
lubrication Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba 1257 Working range Simba 1257

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838 ME Dimensios
in mm
Feed 1 x BMHP 6,804/6,805/6,806 900
Feed extension
Boom BUT 32 PD 1 x 1,250 mm extension 6
575 014
7*
Stinger backward on feed 1 x 1,380 mm extension R40
44

Power pack 1 x 1x55 kW 12

5 0 (24°)
R2840

Drilling system DCS

6150

* parallel coverage

Length tramming 9,600 mm 35 o

35

Length (with BMH 6804) 8,805

o

55°
± 114° 360°
Width 2,000 mm
Height tramming 2,100 mm
Turning radius 4,900/2,700 mm 1380
Stinger extension
175 2605 1250
Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 12,000 kg

68 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba 1250-series
20o
Simba 1254
Simba 1253
80o
700

1915
2200

1670
Simba 1252

1990 1350 1350 1960

6580 (BMH 254) All dimensions in mm
1810

Production drilling rigs with hydraulic tophammer rock
drill. Electric Direct System, EDS, provides a basic, effi-
cient and productive long hole drilling solution. Ring dril-
ling with parallel holes upwards/downwards and in the
side walls. Three different positioning unit configurations
to match the user’s need. Hole diameter 51–89 (102) mm
depending on rock drill type. Hole depth up to 33 m,
with RHS 17.
Features
• Electric Direct System, EDS. High drilling capacity with
basic functions such as semi-automatic drilling and
anti-jamming included. Manually adjusted feed force
from the operator’s panel. Digital movements on
the drilling unit controlled by switches on a separate
positioning panel. Trolley mounted control panel for
flexible operator environment.
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17
• Rock drill, COP 1800-series or the COP 2550 UX for
larger hole range and tougher rock conditions
• Simba 1252, ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/ • Stinger forward on feed, BSJ 8-115
downwards and in the side walls up to 1.5 m apart
• Simba 1253, ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/
downwards up to 1.5 m apart
• Simba 1254, ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/
downwards up to 3 m apart and in the side walls up
to 1.5 m apart
• Stingers mounted on the positioning unit gives a
sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps.
• FOPS approved telescopic protection roof
• Electrically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication
• Electrically driven water booster pump for high
flushing capacity
• Cable reel and collector
Main optional equipment
• Rock drill lubrication warning kit
• Angle reading instrument
• Hole depth measurement
• Water mist flushing
• Extractor unit (back hammering)
• Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning
and drilling unit.
• Rig alignment laser
• Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex
• Rig washing kit
Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba 1250-series Working range Simba 1250-series

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME
Simba 1252 Simba 1253 Simba 1254
Feed 1 x BMH 214/215/216
750 750
945

945

945

1500 750 1500 750

Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 30
Slide table 1 x BHT 15 (Simba 1253 and 1254)
1150

1150

1150

Stinger backward on feed holder 1 x BSJ8-115E

Drill steel support BSH 55
o o
Pendulum arm BHP 10 (Simba 1252 and 1254) 45 45 45o 45o

Drilling system EDS

Length tramming (BMH 254) 6,580 mm
1350

1350

1350

Width -2/-3/-4 2,000/2,380/2,380 mm

235

235

235

Height tramming -2/-3/-4 2,660/2,770/2,810 mm

1150
1150

1150

1500 1500 800 1500 800

Height roof up 2,900 mm
2000 2000 2000
Turning radius 5,100/2,500-2,700 mm 2380 2380
Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 12,500 kg

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 69

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba 1350-series
20º
65º

700
3180
2260

1845
2304 1555 1500 2301
Simba 1354
7815−8209 (with BMH 214)
All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rigs with hydraulic top hammer rock • Stingers mounted on the feed beam gives a sturdy
drill. Electric Direct System, EDS. Provides a basic, effi- set up with less possible hole deviation
cient and productive long hole drilling solution. Ring drilling • Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
with parallel holes upwards/downwards and in the side articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
walls. Three different positioning unit configurations to manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps.
match the user’s need. Hole diameter 51–  89 (102) mm
depending on rock drill type. Hole depth up to 51 m, • FOPS approved telescopic protection roof
with optional RHS 27. • Electrically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication
• Electrically driven water booster pump for high
flushing capacity
Features
• Cable reel and collector
• Electric Direct System, EDS. High drilling capacity with
basic functions such as semi-automatic drilling and
anti-jamming included. Manually adjusted feed force Main optional equipment
from the operator’s panel. Digital movements on the • Rock drill lubrication warning kit
• Angle reading instrument
drilling unit controlled by switches on a separate
• Hole depth measurement
positioning panel. Trolley mounted control panel • Rod handling system, RHS 27
for flexible operator environment. • Water mist flushing
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17 • Extractor unit (back hammering)
• Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning
• Rock drill, COP 1800 series or the COP 2550 UX for and drilling unit.
larger hole range and tougher rock conditions • Rig alignment laser
• Simba 1352, ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/ • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex
• Rig washing kit
downwards and in the side walls up to 1.5 m apart • Water hose reel
• Simba 1353, ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/
downwards up to 1.5 m apart
• Simba 1354, ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/
downwards up to 3 m apart and in the side walls up to
1.5 m apart Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba 1350-series Working range Simba 1350-series

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME
945

750 1500 750

Feed 1 x BMH 214/215/216
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2
1150

Slide table 1 x BHT 150 (Simba 1353 and 1354)

Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200 45º 45º
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-115
Drill steel support BSH 55
Pendulum arm BHP 150 (Simba 1352 and 1354)
Drilling system EDS
Length tramming (BMH 214) 7,815-8,209 mm
255

Width 1,950/2,380 mm 1950

Height tramming 3,180 mm 2380
2000

2430
Height roof up 2,960 mm
Turning radius 5,440/2,890 mm Simba 1354
Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 15,000 kg

70 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba M3 C
2360 - 3060

2500
2900 3740 3000 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with hydraulic tophammer rock • FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
drill. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient, produc- • Hydraulically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication
tive and high precision long hole drilling. Ring drilling • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
with parallel holes upwards/downwards up to 1.5 m apart.
flushing capacity
Hole diameter 51–  89 (102) mm depending on rock drill
type. Hole depth up to 51 m, with optional RHS 27. • Cable reel and collector
• Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
at the drilling unit
Features
• RCS with interactive operators control panel.
Ergonomic design. Proportional movements in the Main optional equipment
levers for smooth and precise positioning. • FOPS-approved cabin
• ABC Regular, one hole automatics
Integrated statistics, diagnostics and log data. Up to • ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
five different pre-set settings of drilling parameters. and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
PCMCIA-card interface for transfer of drill plans, log • Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
files and storage of parameter files for optimal drill • Drill Plan Handling, DPH
• Void detection, VD
settings. Trolley mounted control panel for flexible • Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
operators environment. • Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17 • Rod handling system, RHS 27
• Water mist flushing
• Rock drill, COP 1800-series or the COP 2550UX for • Extractor unit (back hammering) for COP 1800-series
larger hole range and tougher rock conditions • Bit changer
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam gives • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation drilling unit
• Rig alignment laser
and less stress on the drilling unit • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire or
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance, automatic
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy • Water hose reel
• Turntable +/- 20°
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with catalyser
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle
reading instrument Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba M3 C Working range Simba M3 C

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME
A
Feed 1 x BMH 214, 215, 216 1500 (PH)
RD = Ring drilling Dimensions Stinger extension
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2 PH = Parallel holes in mm
1150
900

Slide table 1 x BHT 150

1200 (900)
Feed extension

Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200 R

30
o 30 o
29
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150 70
(R
D)
Power pack 2 x 55 kW
4915

380o

Drilling system RCS

1825

Length tramming 10,500 mm

150
Width 2,350 mm
7440 Stinger extension
Height tramming/roof up 2,875/2,965 mm A-A 2000

Turning radius 6,300/3,800 mm M3 A

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 18,000 kg

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 71

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba M4 C
2360 - 3060

2700
2900 3740 3200 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with hydraulic tophammer • FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
rock drill. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient, • Hydraulically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication
productive and high precision long hole drilling. Ring • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
drilling with parallel holes up to 1.5 m apart in the side
flushing capacity
walls and up to 3 m apart upwards/downwards. Hole
diameter 51–  89 (102) mm depending on rock drill type. • Cable reel and collector
Hole depth up to 51 m, with optional RHS 27. • Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
at the drilling unit
Features
• Rig Control System, RCS with interactive operators con- Main optional equipment
trol panel. Ergonomic design. Proportional movements • FOPS-approved cabin
• ABC Regular, one hole automatics
in the levers for smooth and precise positioning Integrated
• ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
statistics, diagnostics and log data. Up to five different and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
pre-set settings of drilling parameters PCMCIA-card • Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
interface for transfer of drill plans, log files and storage • Drill Plan Handling, DPH
of parameter files for optimal drill settings. Trolley moun- • Void detection, VD
ted control panel for flexible operators environment. • Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
• Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17
• Rod handling system, RHS 27
• Rock drill, COP 1800-series or the COP 2550UX for • Water mist flushing
larger hole range and tougher rock conditions • Extractor unit (back hammering) for COP 1800 -series
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam gives • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
drilling unit
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation • Rig alignment laser
and less stress on the drilling unit • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire or
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance, automatic
• Water hose reel
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
• Turntable +/- 20°
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with catalyser
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle
reading instrument Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba M4 C Working range Simba M4 C

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME
Feed 1 x BMH 214, 215, 216
A
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2 RD = Ring drilling 3000 (PH) Dimensions
Stinger extension
Slide table 1 x BHT 150 PH = Parallel holes in mm
1150
900

Pendulum arm 1 x BHP 150

1200 (900)
Feed extension

Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200

o
750 1500 750 30 30 o
R
29
1500

Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150 70

(R
D)
(P

380o
4600

R 27
4915

Power pack 2 x 55 kW 90 (P
H)

H)

Drilling system RCS

1825

Length tramming 10,800 mm

150
Width 2,350 mm
7440 Stinger extension
Height tramming/roof up 2,875/2,965 mm A-A 2000

Turning radius 6,300/3,800 mm M4

A

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 20,000 kg

72 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba M6 C

3050

Illustration shows rig with

2025 optional equipment mounted
2900 3740 3770 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with hydraulic tophammer rock • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
drill. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient, produc- flushing capacity
tive and high precision long hole drilling. Ring drilling • Cable reel and collector
with parallel holes upwards/downwards up to 3 m apart.
• Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
Hole diameter 51–  89 (102) mm depending on rock drill
type. Hole depth up to 51 m, with optional RHS 27. at the drilling unit
• I-frame attached positioning and drilling unit for high
visibility and safety for operator when working under
Features FOPS-approved roof
• Proportional movements in the levers for smooth and
precise positioning. Integrated statistics, diagnostics Main optional equipment
and log data. Up to five different pre-set settings of • FOPS-approved cabin
drilling parameters. PCMCIA-card interface for transfer • ABC Regular, one hole automatics
of drill plans, log files and storage of parameter files for • ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
optimal drill settings. • FOPS-approved cabin
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17 • Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
• Drill Plan Handling, DPH
• Rock drill, COP 1800-series or the COP 2550UX for
• Void detection, VD
larger hole range and tougher rock conditions • Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam gives • Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Rod handling system, RHS 27
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation
• Water mist flushing
and less stress on the drilling unit • Extractor unit (back hammering) for COP 1800-series
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance, • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
drilling unit
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy • Rig alignment laser
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire or
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with catalyser automatic
• Water hose reel
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle • Remote operating kit. Line Of Sight, LOS
reading instrument
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
• Hydraulically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba M6 C Working range Simba M6 C

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME A

Feed 1 x BMH 214, 215, 216 RD = Ring drilling 3000 (PH) Dimensions
Stinger extension
PH = Parallel holes in mm
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2
1150
900

I-frame with pendulum arm ±1,5 m Feed extension

1200 (900)
Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200
o
30 45 o
R
48

Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150

80
(R
5650

o 45 o
D)

45
5000

Power pack 2 x 55 kW (RD)

R 2760 380o
Drilling system RCS
2780

Length tramming 10,400 mm

150
Width 2,210 mm
8520
Height tramming 3,200 mm A-A
Stinger extension
2000

Turning radius 6,750/3,800 mm M6

A

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 22,000 kg

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 73

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba M7 C
3050

Illustration shows rig with

2900 3740 4000
optional equipment mounted
11560 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with hydraulic tophammer rock • Hydraulically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication
drill. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient, pro- • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
ductive and high precision long hole drilling. Drilling unit flushing capacity
is mounted on a BUT 35 boom for maximum reach and • Cable reel and collector
flexibility. Ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/
• Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
downwards up to 5.5 m apart. Hole diameter 51–  89
(102) mm. Hole depth up to 51 m, with optional RHS 27. at the drilling unit
• Boom mounted positioning and drilling unit. High
visibility and safety for operator when working under
Features FOPS-approved roof
• Rig Control System, RCS with interactive operators
control panel. Ergonomic design. Proportional move-
ments in the levers for smooth and precise positioning. Main optional equipment
• FOPS-approved cabin
Integrated statistics, diagnostics and log data. Up to
• ABC Regular, one hole automatics
five different pre-set settings of drilling parameters. • Cabin lift and tilt system
PCMCIA-card interface for transfer of drill plans, log • Boom Alignment Laser, BAL
files and storage of parameter files for optimal drill • Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
• Drill Plan Handling, DPH
settings. • Void Detection, VD
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17 • Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
• Rock drill, COP 1800-series or the COP 2550 UX for • Remote operating kit. Line Of Sight, LOS
larger hole range and tougher rock conditions • Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Rod Handling System, RHS 27
• Stinger mounted directly on the feed beam gives • Water mist flushing
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation • Extractor unit (back hammering) for COP 1800-series
and less stress on the drilling unit • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
drilling unit
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
• Rig alignment laser
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire or
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps automatic
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with catalyzer • Water hose reel
• Remote operating kit. Line Of Sight, LOS
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle
reading instrument
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba M7 C Working range Simba M7 C

Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME
Dimensions
Feed 1 x BMH 214, 215, 216 in mm
850
Stinger extension
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 30
700

1200 (900) Parallell holes with

Feed extension 0o boom-lift
Boom BUT 35BB 1 x 1 600 mm extension 35o boom-swing
Coverage area
6140

1100x4690 mm 0
Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200
5
11
00

Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-115

16

o
10
7850

Power pack 1 x 2x55 kW 90o 25o

Drilling system RCS 45o

35o
360o
Length tramming 11,700 mm Dimensions with
45o boom-lift
25o boom-swing
Width 2,210 mm
900

150 Dimensions with

2000 0o boom-lift
Height tramming 2,920 mm 3900 1600
Stinger extension 35o boom-swing

Turning radius 6,250/3,800 mm

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 21,000 kg

74 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba L3 C
2360 - 3060

2550
2900 3740 3000 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with hydraulic tophammer rock drill. • Hydraulically driven compressor for rock drill
Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient, productive lubrication
and high precision long hole drilling. Ring drilling with • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
parallel holes upwards/downwards up to 1.5 m apart. flushing capacity
Hole diameter 89 –127 mm. Hole depth up to 51 m, with • Cable reel and collector
optional RHS 27.
• Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
at the drilling unit
Features
• Rig Control System, RCS with interactive operators Main optional equipment
control panel. Ergonomic design. Proportional • FOPS-approved cabin
movements in the levers for smooth and precise • ABC Regular, one hole automatics
positioning. Integrated statistics, diagnostics and • ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
log data. Up to five different pre-set settings of drilling and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
parameters. PCMCIA-card interface for transfer of drill • Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
plans, log files and storage of parameter files for • Drill Plan Handling, DPH
• Void Detection, VD
optimal drill settings. Trolley mounted control panel • Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
for flexible operators environment. • Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17 • Rod Handling System, RHS 27
• Rock drill, COP 4050MUX • Water mist flushing
• Bit changer
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam gives • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation drilling unit
and less stress on the drilling unit • Rig alignment laser
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance, • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire or
automatic
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
• Water hose reel
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps • Turntable +/- 20°
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with
catalyzer
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle
reading instrument
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba L3 C Working range Simba L3 C

Rock drill 1 x COP 4050MUX A
Feed 1 x BMH 244, 245, 246 RD = Ring drilling 1500 (PH) Dimensions Stinger extension
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2 PH = Parallel holes in mm
900
1150

Slide table 1 x BHT 150

Feed extension
1200 (900)

30 o
Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200
o
30
R
29
70
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150 (R
D)
4915

Power pack 2 x 75 kW 380o

Drilling system RCS

1825

Length tramming 10,500 mm

150
Width 2,350 mm Stinger extension
7440
Height tramming/roof up 2,875/2,965 mm A-A 2000
A
Turning radius 6,300/3,800 mm L3

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 21,000 kg

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 75

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba L6 C

3050

Illustration shows rig with

2010 optional equipment mounted
2900 3740 3770 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with hydraulic tophammer rock • Hydraulically driven water booster pump for high
drill. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient, produc- flushing capacity
tive and high precision long hole drilling. Ring drilling • Cable reel and collector
with parallel holes upwards/downwards up to 3 m apart. • Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
Hole diameter 89–127 mm. Hole depth up to 51 m, with at the drilling unit
optional RHS 27.
• I-frame attached positioning and drilling unit. High
visibility and safety for operator when working under
Features FOPS-approved roof
• Rig Control System, RCS with interactive operators
control panel. Ergonomic design. Proportional Main optional equipment
movements in the levers for smooth and precise
• FOPS-approved cabin
positioning. Integrated statistics, diagnostics and • ABC Regular, one hole automatics
log data. Up to five different pre-set settings of drilling • ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
parameters. PCMCIA-card interface for transfer of drill and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
plans, log files and storage of parameter files for • FOPS-approved cabin
optimal drill settings. • Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
• Drill Plan Handling, DPH
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17 • Void Detection, VD
• Rock drill, COP 4050MUX • Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam gives • Rig Remote Access, RRA
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation • Rod Handling System, RHS 27
• Water mist flushing
and less stress on the drilling unit
• Extractor unit (back hammering) COP 4050 MUX
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance, • Bit changer
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps drilling unit
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with • Rig alignment laser
• Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire or
catalyzer automatic
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle • Water hose reel
reading instrument • Remote operating kit, Line of sight (LOS)
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
• Hydraulically driven compressor for rock drill lubrication Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba L6 C Working range Simba L6 C

Rock drill 1 x COP 4050MUX
Feed 1 x BMH 244, 245, 246 A

3000 (PH) Dimensions

Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2 RD = Ring drilling
PH = Parallel holes in mm
Stinger extension
1150
900

I-frame with pendulum arm ±1.5 m

Feed extension
Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200 o
1200 (900)
30 45 o
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150
R
48
80

Power pack 2 x 75 kW
(R
5650

o 45 o
D)

45
5000

Drilling system RCS R 2760

(RD)
380o
Length tramming 10,400 mm
2780

Width 2,210 mm
150
Height tramming 3,200 mm
Height 3,200 mm 8520
A-A
Stinger extension
2000
Turning radius 6,300/3,800 mm L6 A

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 23,000 kg

76 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Cabletec LC
5236 (5109)
4003

www.atlascopco.com
3103
3053
2924

910
12.2°

19.5°
643
2090 1490 1800 2200 897 143
14042
All dimensions in mm

Cable bolting rig with two boom system, enabling • Fully automatic cement handling unit with RCS-
concurrent drilling and cable installation. The Rig controlled W/C ratio and onboard silo for cement
Control system, RCS, provides efficient, productive storage
and high precision long hole drilling. On-board • Double acting piston pump
automatic cement system for unique grout quality
• Dust suppression system
control and a high capacity steel strand reel.

Main optional equipment

Features • FOPS-approved cabin
• Rig Control System, RCS, with interactive operators • Lubrication surveillance kit
control panel • Automatic boom lubrication kit
• ABC Regular with one hole automatics • Central boom lubrication kit
• Automatic lubrication kit, drilling unit/boom
• COP 1800-series high performance rock drill
• Water mist flushing system
• Well-proven Simba production drilling unit • Water hose reel
• Rod Handling System, RHS 17 • Water hose
• FOPS-approved telescopic protective roof • Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Breakthrough Automatic System, BAS
• Hydraulic production drilling boom and telescopic
• Drill Plan Handling, DPH
cable bolting boom, both with proportional
• Full Drill Data Handling, FDDH
movements • Boom Alignment Laser, BAL
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance, • Text Message System, TMS
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy • Automatic Parallel Holding, APH
manoeuvring • Void Detection, VD
• Turbo-charged, water-cooled diesel engine with • Remote Cradle/Feed Control, RC/FC
catalyzer • Fire suppression system Ansul or Forrex – manual,
check fire or automatic
• Cable reel and collector • Remote operating kit, Line Of Sight, LOS
• Cable and cement hose feeding system
• Cable bending mechanism and cable cutter
• Cable pusher for installation of twin cables Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Cabletec LC Working range Cabletec LC

12 m
Rock drill 1 x COP 1838ME
Feed 1 x BMH 214/215/216 10
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 30
Boom BUT 35BS 1 x 1,600 mm extension 8

Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200

6
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-115
Power pack 1 x 95 kW 4

Drilling system RCS

2
Length 14,042 mm
Width 2,750 mm 0
Height 3,100 mm
2
Turning radius 7,400/4,500 mm
Gross weight app. 29,000 kg 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8m

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 77

 HYDRAULIC ROCK DRILL SPECIFICATIONS

COP 1838ME/MEX Tophammer rock drill for hole diameter range 51– 89 mm
COP 1838ME is specially suitable for small to medium The automatic tightening system of the drill string
hole sizes. Adjustable stroke length makes it possible to results in straighter holes and optimum penetration.
adjust impact rate and energy to actual rock conditions COP 1838MEX and COP 1838HEX have built in hydraulic
and hole size. Powerful, stepless variable and reversible extractor.
rotation motor gives high torque and excellent speed
control. The efficient reflex damping system of the Technical data COP COP
COP 1800 series is called “dual damping” due to its high 1838ME/MEX 1838 HE/HEX
efficiency and double acting function. As the feed and Weight 170/229 kg 176/235 kg
the boom are not subjected to unnecessary strain, the Length 1,008/1,206 mm 1,098/1,296 mm
entire drill string will give you longer service life. Impact power, max. 18 kW 18 kW
Impact rate 60 Hz 50 Hz
Hydraulic pressure, max. 230 bar 230 bar
Rotation speed, max. 210 rpm 140 rpm
Rotation pressure, max. 210 bar 140 bar
Rotation motor size 07 09
Drill steel torque, max. 1,000 Nm 1,100 Nm
Flushing water pressure 20 bar 20 bar
Lubricating air (at the drill), max. 2 bar 2 bar
Shank adapter R32, T38, T45 T38, T45

COP 2550UX Tophammer rock drill for hole diameter range 76 –115 mm
The COP 2550 is among the strongest rock drills on the question. Separate lubrication of the shank adapter and
market for use with the T51 drill steel. It is specially front bushing ensures adequate lubrication/cooling during
designed for heavy uninterrupted production. Instead of heavy use and prevents contaminants from penetrating
built-in flushing head, the COP 2550UX has a separate the drill at the front. Pressurized mating surfaces with
flushing head mounted at the front. The efficient dual lubricating air prevent the ingress of dirt and damp into
damping system makes it possible to use even higher the drill. The rock drill is supplied with a powerful
impact power without compromising the service life of hydraulic extractor to save time and drill steel.
the drill steel. The choice of two stroke positions provides
the best piston frequency and penetration for the rock in Technical data COP 2550UX
Weight 249 kg
Length 1,340 mm
Impact power, max. 25 kW
Impact rate 42-55 Hz
Hydraulic pressure, max. 230 bar
Rotation speed, max. 140 rpm
Rotation pressure, max. 140 bar
Rotation motor size 09/10
Drill steel torque, max. 1,380 Nm
Flushing water pressure 20 bar
Lubricating air (at the drill), max. 4 bar
Shank adapter T51, ST58

COP 4050MUX Tophammer rock drill for hole diameter range 89 –127 mm
A heavy-sized hydraulic tophammer with an impact out- productivity. COP 4050MUX has a built-in automatic
put of up to 40 kW. It is specially designed for drilling extractor as standard for interruption-free production.
underground. Instead of built-in flushing head, the It is obvious that the extractor is an investment which
COP 4050MUX has a separate flushing head mounted soon pays for itself in difficult ground conditions
at the front. It is equipped with two powerful hydraulic through fewer disruptions, better hole quality and
rotation motors which minimizes the risk of jamming. increased steel life.
Impact and power levels are easily adjustable to
prevailing rock conditions for achieving good hole Technical data COP 4050MUX
quality, long drill steel life and an overall high Weight 450 kg
Length 1,530 mm
Impact power, max. 40 kW
Impact rate 53-62 Hz
Hydraulic pressure, max. 230 bar
Rotation speed, max. 95 rpm
Rotation pressure, max. 120 bar
Rotation motor size 2 x 10
Drill steel torque, max. 2 x 1,325 Nm
Flushing water pressure 20 bar
Lubricating air (at the drill), max. 4 bar
Shank adapter ST58, ST68

78 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling
Drill bit design

-5076 -5076-45 -6076 -6076-45

Flat front bit with spherical
buttons. Standard skirt.
Ideal for medium-hard rock
when the rock formation
causes heavy gauge wear
on the bit. Can also be used
in very hard and abrasive
rock formations.
Flat front bit with spherical
buttons. Retrac skirt.
To be used in the same
applications as -5076 when
you have rock formations
that also create hole
deviations.
Drop centre bit with
spherical buttons.
Standard skirt.
Perfect in slightly more
abrasive formations where
there is accelerated button
wear or in medium to hard
rock when ballistic buttons
have a tendency to break.
Drop centre bit with
spherical buttons.
Retrac skirt.
Use in the same
applications as -6076 when
you have rock formations
that also create hole
deviations.

-6076-67 -6076-45-67 -5127-21 -6089-21-67 -6076-21-45-67

Drop centre bit
with ballistic buttons.
Standard skirt.
Designed for medium-hard
rock. Bits with ballistic
buttons perform especially
well in non-abrasive or
medium abrasive rock
formations.
Drop centre bit with
ballistic buttons.
Retrac skirt.
To be used in the same
applications as -6076-67
when you have rock
formations that also create
hole deviations.
Model -21, a heavy duty bit with larger gauge buttons.
Flat or drop centre front.
Retrac or standard skirt.
Ballistic or spherical buttons.
A new bit design for hard to very hard abrasive rock. The
asymmetrical button pattern gives excellent rock crushing.
A shorter head and larger clearing angle allow for better
flushing of cuttings.
Model -20 is used for the same applications.

Please observe that all button bits are manufactured

- 5 XXX - 6 XXX oversized 1.0–1.5 mm, meaning that for example a 45 mm
Flat face button bit Drop centre button bit bit is at least 46 mm as new and a 89 mm bit 90 mm. This
is done because of the fast initial wear on button bits.
-XXXX- 67 -XXXX- 66 -XXXX- 45 When it is of importance, also consider that the hole is
Ballistic buttons Full-ballistic buttons Retrac skirt always 1–3 mm bigger than the bit dimension depending
on rock formation.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 79

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling

-6089-35-67 -6102-36 -6102-41 Soft rock bit -66

Model -35 and Model -36 Model -41
Guide bits for the TDS tube drilling system. Standard bit for T60 system.
The Model -35 and -36 guide bits should be used in rock This new bit design for T60
formations that create hole deviations. system with spherical
buttons is created for
drilling in very hard and
abrasive rock formations.
The flushing is concentrated
to the front of the bit to get
maximal flushing capacity.
Full-ballistic button bit.
The two types of full-
ballistic button bits, model
5xxx-47-66 and model
6xxx-21-66 are developed
specially for drilling in soft
formations.
The penetration rate is
very fast due to the high
button protrusion. Excellent
flushing concentrated to the
front

Insert bits
Cross- and X-type bits.
Traditional chisel bits in cross- and X-type formations for
extremely abrasive rock. Ideal for soft formations that
cause snakeskin problems for carbide. Produce straight
holes. X-type bits are used for larger hole dimensions.

80 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling R32 (11∕4")

Shank adapter Coupling Round drifter rod
Button bit

Round extension rod Guide button bit

Retrac button bit

Round Speedrod

Cross-type bit
Round guide rod

Guide tube

Drill bit design

-5057-20 -5xxx-27 5051-39 -5xxx-37-67 -5xxx-37-66 -5xxx-37-30-67

-5xxx-37-45-67 5076-42-24 -5064-45 -6064 -6064-45 Cross-type bit

Please note text on page 79

42 re. finished
finished hole
hole size.
size.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 81

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling R32 (11∕4")

Drill bit

Buttons × button Gauge Weight

Diameter No. of Flushing hole
Product No. Product code diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

48 17∕8 90504374 103-5048-27,39-20 7 5×11 2×9 35° 2 1 1.0

48 17∕8 90509461 103-5048-37,39-20 9 6×10 3×8 40° 1 3 0.9
51 2 90504566 103-5051-27,39-20 7 5×11 2×10 35° 2 1 1.0
51 2 90510451 103-5051-34,39-20 8 6×10 2×10 40° 2 2 1.0
51 2 90509465 103-5051-37,39-20 9 6×10 3×9 40° 1 3 1.0
51 2 90510302 103-6051,49-20 9 6×10 3×9 30° – 3 1.0
51 2 90510308 103-6051-45,49-20 9 6×10 3×9 30° – 3 1.2
51 2 90514633 103-6051-45-67,49-20 9 6x10 3x9 35° – 3 1.2
54 21∕8 90509480 103-5054-37,39-20 9 6×10.5 3×10 35° 1 4 1.0
57 2¼ 90510453 103-5057-20,39-20 9 6×11 3×9 35° – 3 1.1
57 2¼ 90514267 103-5057-37-45,49-20 9 6×10.5 3×9 35° – 3 1.5
64 2½ 90510303 103-5064,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 1.6
64 2½ 90510381 103-5064-45,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 2.2
64 2½ 90510328 103-6064,49-20 10 6×11 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 1.5
64 2½ 90510364 103-6064-45,49-20 10 6×11 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 2.2
76 3 90510353 103-5076,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 1.8
76 3 90514373 103-5076-42-24,49-20 10 9×12.7 1×12.7 35° 1 3 2.0
76 3 90510504 103-6076-45,49-20 13 8×11 4×11, 1×11 35° 1 4 3.5
BUTTON BIT - Ballistic buttons

48 17∕8 90509464 103-5048-37-67,39-20 9 6×10 3×8 40° 1 3 0.9

48 17∕8 90509463 103-5048-37-30-67,39-20 8 6×10 2×8 25° 1 3 1.0
51 2 90509466 103-5051-37-67,39-20 9 6×10 3×9 40° 1 3 1.0
51 2 90510836 103-5051-37-45-67,39-20 9 6×10 3×9 40° 1 3 1.2
54 21∕8 90509481 103-5054-37-67,39-20 9 6×10 3×9 40° 1 3 1.0
57 2¼ 90510454 103-5057-20-67,39-20 9 6×11 3×9 35° – 3 1.1
64 2½ 90510327 103-5064-67,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 1.6
76 3 90510821 103-5076-42-24-67,49-20 10 9×12.7 1×12.7 35° 1 3 2.0
BUTTON BIT - Full-ballistic buttons (Soft rock bit)

48 17∕8 90514714 103-5048-34-66,39-20 8 6×9 2×9 40° – 2 0.8

48 1 ∕8
7
90514135 103-5048-37-66,39-20 9 6×9 3×9 40° 1 3 0.8
51 2 90514715 103-5051-34-66,39-20 8 6×10 2×10 40° – 2 0.9
51 2 90514136 103-5051-37-66,39-20 9 6×10 3×9 40° 1 3 0.8
Insert
CROSS-TYPE BIT
Width (mm) Height (mm)
48 17∕8 90510658 103-7048-38,02-17 14.0 22.0 4 1 1.1
51 2 90514248 103-7051-38,02-17 14.0 22.0 4 1 1.2
51 2 90510551 103-7051-38-45,02-17 14.0 22.0 4 1 1.7
57 2¼ 90514239 103-7057,02-17 10.3 19.5 4 1 1.3
64 2½ 90001719 103-7064,08-17 10.3 19.5 4 1 1.4
X-TYPE BIT

76 3 90500049 103-8076,08-16 14.0 26.0 4 1 1.7

82 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling R32 (11∕4")

Extension rod
R32 (1¼") round rod

Fully carburized (C) / Surface hardened (SH).

Length Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot/inch Fully carburized Surface hardened approx. kg

915 3' 90550062 203-2509-C,02 4.8

1000 3'33∕8" 90500360 203-2510-C,02 6.0
1220 4' 90000138 203-2512-C,02 6.5
1525 5' 90509485 203-2515-C,02 8.7
1830 6' 90000139 203-2518-C,02 9.8
2435 8' 90000989 203-2524-C,02 13.2
2435 8' 90515400 203-4524-SH,03 13.9
3050 10' 90000990 203-2531-C,02 16.6
3050 10' 90515401 203-4531-SH,03 16.6
3660 12' 90509565 203-2537-C,02 20.0
3660 12' 90515402 203-4537-SH,03 20.8

R32 (1¼") round Speedrod

Fully carburized (C). D = 46 mm.

Length (L) Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot Fully carburized Surface hardened approx. kg

915 3 90503329 203-2509-MF-C,02 5.5

1220 4 90500834 203-2512-MF-C,02 7.3
1525 5 90500627 203-2515-MF-C,02 9.0
1830 6 90500628 203-2518-MF-C,02 10.6
2435 8 90502259 203-2524-MF-C,02 14.0
Both surface hardened and fully carburized

3050 10 90515604 203-2531-MF,29 18.6

3660 12 90515605 203-2537-MF,29 22.1
4270 14 90515606 203-2543-MF,29 25.6

Drifter rod
R32 (1¼") round rod

Fully carburized.

Length Weight
Product No. Product code
mm foot/inch approx. kg

4000 13'1½" 90002394 203-2540-03-C,02 21.7

4310 14'1 ∕8"
5
90000933 203-2543-03-C,02 23.4

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 83

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Production drilling R32 (11∕4")

Coupling

Full bridge -57.

Diameter Length Weight

Product No. Product code
mm inch mm inch approx. kg

42 121∕32 150 57∕8 90502643 303-0042,00 0.9

44 123∕32 150 57∕8 90002107 303-0044,00 1.0
44 1 ∕32
23
160 6 ∕165
90505395 303-0044-57,00 1.2

Guide Tube

Hole diameter Tube diameter Length (L) Weight

Product No. Product code
mm inch mm inch mm foot approx. kg

51–57 2–2¼ 45 1¾ 1220 4 94502681 203-7112,10 10.0

51–57 2–2¼ 45 1¾ 1525 5 94502658 203-7115,10 12.5
51–57 2–2¼ 45 1¾ 1830 6 94502659 203-7118,10 14.2
51–57 2–2¼ 45 1¾ 3050 10 94502660 203-7131,10 25.0

84 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

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Production drilling R/T38 (11∕2")

Hex. extension rod
T38 light equipment Button bit

Shank adapter Coupling

Retrac button bit

Round extension rod

Round Speedrod Cross-type bit

Round guide rod X-type bit

Dome reaming bit

Guide tube

R38
Button bit

Shank adapter Coupling Round extension rod

X-type bit

Drill bit design

-5076 -5076-21 -5070-21-45 -5089-21-67 5076-47 -6064-21-67 -6076-45-67 -6076-21-66 -6102-21

Dome reaming bit Cross-type X-type Please

Pleasenote
notetext
texton
onpage
page79
42re.
re.finished
finishedhole
holesize.
size.

Drill bit
Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter Product code No. of Flushing hole
Product No. diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch R38 thread T38 thread Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

64 2½ 90510304 104-5064,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 1.6
64 2½ 90510305 135-5064,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 1.6
64 2½ 90510309 135-5064-45,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 1.9
64 2½ 90510316 135-5064-20,49-20 9 6×12.7 3×11 35° 1 1 1.9
64 2½ 90513748 135-5064-21,49-20 10 6×11 4×10 35° 1 2 1.6
64 2½ 90510307 135-6064,49-20 10 6×11 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 1.7
64 2½ 90510311 135-6064-45,49-20 10 6×11 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 2.3
64 2½ 90510347 135-6064-21,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×10, 1×8 25° – 3 1.7
Cont. next page

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 85

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling R/T38 (11∕2")

Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter Product code No. of Flushing hole
Product No. diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch R38 thread T38 thread Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

70 2¾ 90510349 135-5070,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 2.0

70 2¾ 90510350 135-5070-20,49-20 11 6×12.7 5×11 35° 2 1 2.3
70 2¾ 90510352 135-6070,49-20 10 6x11 3x11, 1x9 35° – 3 1.9
70 2¾ 90510707 135-6070-21,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 1.7
70 2¾ 90514157 135-6070-21-45,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 2.3
76 3 90510318 104-5076,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 2.6
76 3 90510319 135-5076,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 2.2
76 3 90510366 135-5076-45,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 3.1
76 3 90510321 135-5076-20,49-20 11 6×12.7 5×11 35° 2 1 2.5
76 3 90513749 135-5076-21,49-20 13 8×12.7 5×11 35° 1 2 2.3
76 3 90515235 135-5076-47,49-20 13 8×11 5×11 35° 1 4 2.2
76 3 90510330 135-6076,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×11, 1×11 35° 1 3 2.6
76 3 90510369 135-6076-45,49-20 13 8×11 4×11, 1×11 35° 1 4 3.5
76 3 90513806 135-6076-21,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 2.4
76 3 90510810 135-6076-21-45,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.3
89 3½ 90510323 104-5089,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 3.3
89 3½ 90510324 135-5089,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 3.2
89 3½ 90510367 135-5089-45,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 5.2
89 3½ 90515273 135-5089-47,49-20 16 10×11 6×11 35° 1 4 3.4
89 3½ 90510332 135-6089,49-20 11 6×12.7 3×11, 2×11 35° 1 3 3.0
89 3½ 90513808 135-6089-21,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.0
89 3½ 90515287 135-6089-21-45,49-20 13 8x12.7 4x11, 1x11 35° – 4 4.6
102 4 90510329 135-5102,49-20 12 8×14.5 4×14.5 40° – 2 4.0
102 4 90515369 135-5102-47,49-20 14 8×14.5 6×12.7 35° 1 4 4.3
102 4 90513810 135-6102-21,49-20 13 8×14.5 4×12.7, 1×12.7 35° – 4 3.9
127 5 90513776 135-5127-42-24,49-20* 19 18×12.7 1×12.7 35° 1 3 5.2
BUTTON BIT - Ballistic buttons

64 2½ 90510413 135-5064-67,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 1.6

64 2½ 90510365 135-5064-45-67,49-20 12 8×10 4×10 40° – 2 1.9
64 2½ 90510306 135-6064-67,49-20 10 6×11 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 1.6
64 2½ 90510368 135-6064-45-67,49-20 10 6×11 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 2.3
64 2½ 90510524 135-6064-21-67,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×10, 1×8 25° – 3 1.8
64 2½ 90513805 135-6064-21-45-67,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×10, 1×8 25° – 3 2.2
64 2½ 90514631 135-6064-48-45-67,49-20 13 8x10 4x10, 1x7 35° – 4 2.0
70 2¾ 90510351 135-6070-67,49-20 10 6×11 3×11, 1×9 35° – 3 1.9
70 2¾ 90510384 135-6070-45-67,49-20 10 6×11 3×11, 1×9 35° – 3 2.4
70 2¾ 90513832 135-6070-21-67,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×10, 1×10 35° – 3 1.7
76 3 90513760 135-5076-21-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 5×11 35° 1 2 2.3
76 3 90510312 135-5076-45-67,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 3.1
76 3 90510331 135-6076-67,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×11, 1×11 35° 1 3 2.5
76 3 90510370 135-6076-45-67,49-20 13 8×11 4×11, 1×11 35° 1 4 3.5
76 3 90513807 135-6076-21-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 2.4
76 3 90510811 135-6076-21-45-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.3
89 3½ 90513763 135-5089-21-67,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 3.1
* For reaming, reversed flushing. Cont. next page

86 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling R/T38 (11∕2")

Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter Product code No. of Flushing hole
Product No. diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch R38 thread T38 thread Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Ballistic buttons

89 3½ 90510355 135-6089-67,49-20 11 6×12.7 3×11, 2×11 35° 1 3 3.1

89 3½ 90510654 135-6089-45-67,49-20 14 8×11 4×11, 2×9 35° 1 4 5.0
89 3½ 90513809 135-6089-21-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.0
102 4 90513762 135-6102-21-67,49-20 13 8×14.5 4×12.7, 1×12.7 35° – 4 3.9
127 5 90513775 135-5127-42-24-67,49-20* 19 18×12.7 1×12.7 35° 1 3 5.2
BUTTON BIT - Full-ballistic buttons (Soft rock bit)

76 3 90514297 135-6076-21-66,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 2.5

Insert
CROSS-TYPE BIT
Width (mm) Height (mm)
64 2½ 90002098 135-7064,08-16 14.0 25.0 4 1 1.9
X-TYPE BIT

64 2½ 90002256 135-8064,08-16 14.0 25.0 4 1 1.9

76 3 90001716 104-8076,08-16 14.0 26.0 4 1 2.5
76 3 90002260 135-8076,08-16 14.0 26.0 4 1 2.5
* For reaming, reversed flushing.

Extension rod

T38 (1½") Hex. 32 mm (1¼") T38 (1½")

Light equipment, fully carburized. Rod section 35.8 mm.

Length Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot/inch R38 thread T38 thread approx. kg

3050 10' 90001962 235-0531-C,02 18.7

4000 13'1½" 90510050 235-0540-C,02 23.6

T38 (1½") round Speedrod

Fully carburized. D = 57 mm.

Length (L) Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot/inch R38 thread T38 thread approx. kg

600 1'115∕8" 90510857 235-4706-MF-C,02 6.0

915 3' 90510718 235-4709-MF-C,02 8.3
1220 4' 90510719 235-4712-MF-C,02 10.9
1525 5' 90510720 235-4715-MF-C,02 13.3
1830 6' 90510721 235-4718-MF-C,02 15.8

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 87

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Production drilling R/T38 (11∕2")

T38 (1½") round Speedrod

Fully carburized. D = 57 mm.

Length (L) Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot R38 thread T38 thread approx. kg

Both surface hardened and fully carburized

3050 10 90515312 235-4731-MF,29 26.3

3660 12 90515315 235-4737-MF,29 31.5
4270 14 90515570 235-4743-MF,29 36.9
4880 16 90515571 235-4749-MF,29 41.9

R/T38 (1½") round rod

Fully carburized (C) / Surface hardened (SH).

Length Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot/inch R38 thread T38 thread approx. kg

Surface hardened
1830 6' 90590109 204-2718-SH,03 14.9
3050 10' 90515405 204-4731-SH,03 24.3
3050 10' 90515289 235-4731-SH,03 24.8
3660 12' 90515288 235-4737-SH,03 29.0
4270 14' 90515291 235-4743-SH,03 34.7

280 11" 90504090 204-2702-C,02 2.0

610 2' 90502448 235-2706-C,02 5.0
1220 4' 90500622 235-2712-C,02 10.0

T38 (1½") round rod with double thread

Length Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot R38 thread T38 thread approx. kg

Surface hardened
3050 10 90515292 235-4731-95-SH,03 27.0
3660 12 90515290 235-4737-95-SH,03 30.0

88 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling R/T38 (11∕2")

Drifter rod
For one rod drilling drifter rods can be used.

Guide rod
T38 (1½") guide Speedrod

Fully carburized. D = 57 mm.

Length (L) Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot T38 thread approx. kg

3660 12 90515575 235-4937-MF,29 44.8

Guide tube

Hole diameter Tube diameter Length (L) Product code Weight

Product No.
mm inch mm inch mm foot T38 thread approx. kg

64 2½ 56 21∕8 1220 4 94502648 235-7012,10 12.6

64 2½ 56 2 ∕8
1
1525 5 94000051 235-7015,10 14.0
64 2½ 56 21∕8 1830 6 94000052 235-7018,10 17.4
64 2½ 56 21∕8 3050 10 94000053 235-7031,10 28.3
64 2½ 56 21∕8 3660 12 94000054 235-7037,10 32.8
76 3 64 2½ 3660 12 94502622 235-6937,10 51.0

Coupling

Diameter Length Product code Weight

Product No.
mm inch mm inch R38 thread T38 thread approx. kg

52 21∕16 190 7½ 90503178 335-0052,00 1.8

55 25∕32 170 6¾ 90000168 304-0055,00 1.7
55 25∕32 170 6¾ 90001964 335-0055,00 1.7
55 2 ∕32
5
180 7 ∕81
90505396 304-0055-57,00 1.9
55 25∕32 180 71∕8 90503003 335-0055-57,00 1.9

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 89

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Production drilling T45 (13∕4")

Hex. extension rod,
light equipment
Button bit
Shank adapter Coupling

Round extension rod

Retrac button bit

Round Speedrod

Dome reaming bit

Guide rod

Guide tube

Drill bit design

-5076 -5089-21-67 -5102-21 -5076-21-45 -5076-41 -5089-47 -6076

-6076-45-67 -6089-21-45 -6102 -6102-21 -6102-45-67 Dome reaming bit

Please
Pleasenote
notetext
texton
onpage
page79
42re.
re.finished
finishedhole
holesize.
size.

Drill bit
Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter No. of Flushing hole
Product No. Product code diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

70 2¾ 90510478 136-6070,49-20 10 6×11 3×11, 1×9 35° – 3 2.0
70 2¾ 90510479 136-6070-45,49-20 10 6×11 3×11, 1×9 35° – 3 2.1
76 3 90510320 136-5076,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 2.2
76 3 90510371 136-5076-45,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 2.8
76 3 90510322 136-5076-20,49-20 11 6×12.7 5×11 35° 2 1 2.6
76 3 90514051 136-5076-21,49-20 13 8×12.7 5×11 35° 1 2 2.4
76 3 90513761 136-5076-21-45,49-20 13 8×12.7 5×11 35° 1 2 2.7
76 3 90515248 136-5076-41,49-20 14 8×12.7 4×11, 2×11 35° 2 2 2.5
76 3 90510333 136-6076,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×11, 1×11 35° 1 2 2.6
76 3 90510313 136-6076-45,49-20 13 8×11 4×11, 1×11 35° 1 4 3.2
76 3 90513750 136-6076-21,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 2.4
76 3 90510808 136-6076-21-45,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.0
Cont. next page

90 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling T45 (13∕4")

Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter No. of Flushing hole
Product No. Product code diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

89 3½ 90510325 136-5089,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 3.3

89 3½ 90510418 136-5089-20,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×11 35° 1 1 3.8
89 3½ 90510372 136-5089-45,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 5.0
89 3½ 90515268 136-5089-47,49-20 16 10×11 6×11 35° 1 4 3.0
89 3½ 90513751 136-5089-21-45,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 4.7
89 3½ 90510335 136-6089,49-20 11 6×12.7 3×11, 2×11 35° 1 3 3.5
89 3½ 90510374 136-6089-45,49-20 14 8×11 4×11, 2×9 35° 1 4 4.7
89 3½ 90513752 136-6089-21,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.0
89 3½ 90510692 136-6089-21-45,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 4.2
102 4 90510326 136-5102,49-20 12 8×14.5 4×14.5 40° – 2 4.4
102 4 90510888 136-5102-21,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 3.7
102 4 90510373 136-5102-45,49-20 12 8×14.5 4×14.5 40° – 2 6.7
102 4 90515364 136-5102-47,49-20 14 8×14.5 6×12.7 35° 1 4 4.1
102 4 90510337 136-6102,49-20 11 6×14.5 3×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 3 3.9
102 4 90510392 136-6102-45,49-20 14 8×12.7 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 7.8
102 4 90513811 136-6102-21,49-20 13 8×14.5 4×12.7, 1×12.7 35° – 4 5.3
102 4 90515366 136-6102-21-45,49-20 13 8×14.5 4×12.7, 1×12.7 35° – 4 6.4
115 4½ 90510409 136-5115,49-20 18 10×12.7 8×12.7 35° – 2 5.4
115 4½ 90515269 136-5115-47,49-20 14 8×14.5 6×14.5 35° 1 4 5.8
115 4½ 90510399 136-6115,49-20 14 8×14.5 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 5.0
115 4½ 90514660 136-6115-45,49-20 14 8×14.5 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 9.0
127 5 90515253 136-5127-47,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×15.8 35° – 4 6.6
127 5 90513778 136-5127-42-24,49-20* 19 18×12.7 1×12.7 35° 1 3 5.3
152 6 90513818 136-5152-42-24,49-20* 20 18×14.5 2×14.5 35° 1 3 9.9
BUTTON BIT - Ballistic buttons

70 2¾ 90510385 136-6070-45-67,49-20 10 6×11 3×11, 1×9 35° – 3 2.1

76 3 90514027 136-5076-21-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 5×11 35° 1 2 2.3
76 3 90510386 136-5076-45-67,49-20 12 8×11 4×11 40° – 2 2.8
76 3 90510334 136-6076-67,49-20 10 6×12.7 3×11, 1×11 35° 1 2 2.6
76 3 90510314 136-6076-45-67,49-20 13 8×11 4×11, 1×11 35° 1 4 3.1
76 3 90510809 136-6076-21-45-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.0
89 3½ 90510390 136-5089-45-67,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 5.0
89 3½ 90510780 136-5089-21-67,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 3.3
89 3½ 90514073 136-5089-21-45-67,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 4.7
89 3½ 90510336 136-6089-67,49-20 11 6×12.7 3×11, 2×11 35° 1 3 3.4
89 3½ 90510375 136-6089-45-67,49-20 14 8×11 4×11, 2×9 35° 1 4 4.8
89 3½ 90515523 136-6089-21-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.1
89 3½ 90510772 136-6089-21-45-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 4.8
102 4 90510889 136-5102-21-67,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 3.7
102 4 90515367 136-6102-21-67,49-20 13 8x14.5 4x12.7, 1x12.7 35° – 4 4.9
102 4 90510376 136-6102-45-67,49-20 14 8×12.7 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 7.8
115 4½ 90515263 136-6115-67,49-20 14 8×14.5 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 4.7
115 4½ 90515256 136-6115-45-67,49-20 14 8×14.5 6×12.7 35° 1 4 8.1
152 6 90510782 136-5152-42-24-67,49-20* 20 18×14.5 2×14.5 35° 3 3 9.5
* For reaming, reversed flushing. Cont. next page

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 91

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling T45 (13∕4")

Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter No. of Flushing hole
Product No. Product code diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Full-ballistic buttons (Soft rock bit)

89 3½ 90514993 136-5089-47-45-66,49-20 16 10×11 6×11 35° 1 4 4.9

Insert
X-TYPE BIT
Width (mm) Height (mm)
76 3 90514366 136-8076,02-17 14.0 26.0 4 1 2.5
89 3½ 90002246 136-8089,08-16 14.0 26.0 4 1 3.3

Extension rods
T45 (1¾") Hex. 38 mm (1½") T45 (1¾")

Light equipment, fully carburized. Rod section 42.6 mm.

Length Product code Weight

Product No.
approx. kg
mm foot Fully carburized Surface hardened
3050 10 90002188 236-0731-C,02 25.6
3660 12 90002163 236-0737-C,02 30.8

T45 (1¾") round rod

Surface hardened.

Length Product code Weight

Product No.
approx. kg
mm foot/inch Fully carburized Surface hardened
3050 10' 90515296 236-4931-SH,03 34.5
3660 12' 90515294 236-4937-SH,03 41.4
4270 14' 90515295 236-4943-SH,03 48.3
4800 15'9" 90515408 236-4948-SH,03 54.3
6095 20' 90515297 236-4961-SH,03 69.0

T45 (1¾") round Speedrod

Fully carburized. D = 65 mm.

Length (L) Product code Weight

Product No.
approx. kg
mm foot Fully carburized Surface hardened
1525 5 90510730 236-4915-MF-C,02 18.2
1830 6 90510731 236-4918-MF-C,02 21.5
Both surface hardened and fully carburized
3050 10 90515567 236-4931-MF,29 37.6
3660 12 90515313 236-4937-MF,29 43.5
4270 14 90515316 236-4943-MF,29 51.5

92 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling T45 (13∕4")

Guide rod
T45 (1¾") guide Speedrod

Fully carburized. D = 51 mm.

Length (L) Weight

Product No. Product code
mm foot approx. kg

3660 12 90513771 236-5137-MF-C,02 55.0

4270 14 90514785 236-5143-MF-C,02 63.5

Guide tube

Hole diameter Tube diameter Length (L) Weight

Product No. Product code
mm inch mm inch mm foot approx. kg

76 3 64 2½ 1220 4 94002687 236-6912,10 20.0

76 3 64 2½ 1525 5 94000047 236-6915,10 21.6
76 3 64 2½ 1830 6 94000046 236-6918,10 25.4
76 3 64 2½ 3660 12 94000050 236-6937,10 49.0
89 3½ 76 3 1830 6 94502656 236-6618,10 40.0
89 3½ 76 3 3660 12 94502627 236-6637,10 77.8

Without undercut (shoulder).

Hole diameter Tube diameter Length (L) Weight

Product No. Product code
mm inch mm inch mm foot/inch approx. kg

76 3 64 2½ 1000 3'33∕8" 90514047 236-6910-87,10 15.5

76 3 64 2½ 1220 4' 90514786 236-6912-87,10 19.0
76 3 64 2½ 1830 6' 94502714 236-6918-87,10 27.0

Coupling

Full bridge -57.

Diameter Length Weight

Product No. Product code
mm inch mm inch approx. kg

63 215∕32 210 8¼ 90002557 336-0063,00 2.7

63 215∕32 210 8¼ 90505292 336-0063-57,00 2.7
66 25∕8 210 8¼ 90002165 336-0066,00 3.2
66 25∕8 210 8¼ 90515509 336-0066-57,00 3.2

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 93

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Production drilling T51 (2")

Coupling Round extension rod Button bit
Shank adapter

Round Speedrod Retrac button bit

Dome reaming bit

Guide tube

Drill bit design

-5089 -5089-20 -5089-21 -5089-21-45 -5089-21-47 -5102-21-45 -5127-21

-5127-47-66 -6089-21-67 -6089-21-45-67 -6102-45-67 -6115-21-45 -6127-21 Dome reaming bit

Please note text on page 42

79 re. finished hole size.

Drill bit
Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter No. of Flushing hole
Product No. Product code diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

89 3½ 90510338 137-5089,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 3.5
89 3½ 90510377 137-5089-45,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 4.8
89 3½ 90510357 137-5089-20,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×11 35° 1 1 4.0
89 3½ 90510527 137-5089-21,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 3.7
89 3½ 90513764 137-5089-21-45,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 5.3
89 3½ 90515252 137-5089-21-47,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×11 35° – 4 3.6
89 3½ 90515251 137-5089-47,49-20 16 10×11 6×11 35° – 4 3.8
89 3½ 90510341 137-6089,49-20 11 6×12.7 3×11, 2×11 35° 1 3 3.6
89 3½ 90510391 137-6089-45,49-20 14 8×11 4×11, 2×9 35° 1 4 4.7
89 3½ 90513813 137-6089-21,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.5
89 3½ 90510773 137-6089-21-45,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 4.9
102 4 90510339 137-5102,49-20 12 8×14.5 4×14.5 40° – 2 4.8
102 4 90510378 137-5102-45,49-20 12 8×14.5 4×14.5 40° – 2 7.1
Cont. next page

94 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling T51 (2")

Buttons × button Gauge Weight
Diameter No. of Flushing hole
Product No. Product code diameter (mm) buttons approx.
buttons
mm inch Gauge Centre angle° Side Centre kg

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

102 4 90510807 137-5102-21,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 5.1
102 4 90510855 137-5102-21-45,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 6.9
102 4 90515365 137-5102-47,49-20 14 8×14.5 6×12.7 35° 1 4 5.1
102 4 90510343 137-6102,49-20 11 6×14.5 3×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 3 5.1
102 4 90510415 137-6102-45,49-20 14 8×12.7 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 7.2
102 4 90510824 137-6102-21,49-20 13 8×14.5 4×12.7, 1×12.7 35° – 4 5.3
102 4 90510825 137-6102-21-45,49-20 13 8×14.5 4×12.7, 1×12.7 35° – 4 7.2
115 4½ 90510340 137-5115-20,49-20 17 9×14.5 8×12.7 35° 2 1 6.7
115 4½ 90510791 137-5115-20-45,49-20 17 9×14.5 8×12.7 35° 2 1 7.0
115 4½ 90510818 137-5115-21,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×14.5 35° 1 2 6.1
115 4½ 90515250 137-5115-47,49-20 14 8×14.8 6×14.5 35° 1 4 5.8
115 4½ 90510344 137-6115,49-20 14 8×14.5 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 5.8
115 4½ 90510655 137-6115-45,49-20 14 8×14.5 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 9.5
115 4½ 90510874 137-6115-21,49-20 14 8×15.8 4×14.5, 2×14.5 35° – 4 6.0
115 4½ 90510826 137-6115-21-45,49-20 16 9×14.5 6×14.5, 1×14.5 35° – 3 9.7
127 5 90510360 137-5127,49-20 22 12×12.7 10×12.7 35° – 2 6.8
127 5 90510361 137-5127-20,49-20 20 10×14.5 10×12.7 35° – 2 6.8
127 5 90510790 137-5127-20-45,49-20 20 10×14.5 10×12.7 35° – 2 11.9
127 5 90513747 137-5127-21,49-20 16 8×15.8 8×14.5 35° 1 2 6.8
127 5 90515249 137-5127-47,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×15.8 35° – 4 8.0
127 5 90510406 137-6127,49-20 16 8×14.5 4×14.5, 4×11 35° 1 4 6.8
127 5 90510656 137-6127-45,49-20 16 8×14.5 4×14.5, 4×11 35° 1 4 11.2
127 5 90513815 137-6127-21,49-20 14 8×15.8 4×15.8, 2×12.7 35° – 4 7.7
127 5 90513757 137-6127-21-45,49-20 14 8×15.8 4×15.8, 2×12.7 35° – 4 11.0
140 5½ 90515254 137-5140-47,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×15.8 35° – 4 9.4
152 6 90514185 137-5152-42-24,39-20* 20 18×14.5 2×14.5 35° 1 3 10.0
BUTTON BIT - Ballistic buttons
89 3½ 90514003 137-5089-21-67,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 3.7
89 3½ 90514002 137-5089-21-45-67,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 5.3
89 3½ 90514329 137-5089-45-67,49-20 12 8×12.7 4×12.7 40° – 2 5.0
89 3½ 90513814 137-6089-21-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 3.6
89 3½ 90510696 137-6089-21-45-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 4.9
89 3½ 90510380 137-6089-45-67,49-20 14 8×11 4×11, 2×9 35° 1 4 4.7
102 4 90514476 137-5102-45-67,49-20 12 8×14.5 4×14.5 40° – 2 7.0
102 4 90510841 137-5102-21-45-67,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 7.0
102 4 90510346 137-6102-67,49-20 11 6×14.5 3×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 3 5.2
102 4 90510379 137-6102-45-67,49-20 14 8×12.7 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 7.2
102 4 90513756 137-6102-21-67,49-20 13 8×14.5 4×12.7, 1×12.7 35° – 4 5.2
102 4 90515368 137-6102-21-45-67,49-20 13 8x14.5 4x12.7, 1x12.7 35° – 4 7.2
115 4½ 90510819 137-5115-21-67,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 6.1
115 4½ 90510407 137-6115-67,49-20 14 8×14.5 4×12.7, 2×12.7 35° 1 4 5.8
BUTTON BIT - Full-ballistic buttons (Soft rock bit)
102 4 90514538 137-5102-47-66,49-20 14 8×14.5 6×12.7 35° 1 4 5.0
127 5 90514361 137-5127-47-66,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×15.8 35° – 4 8.0
* For reaming, reversed flushing.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 95

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Production drilling T51 (2")

Extension rod
T51 (2") round rod

Surface hardened.

Length Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot Fully carburized Surface hardened approx. kg

3660 12 90515299 237-5137-SH,03 51.1

4270 14 90515300 237-5143-SH,03 59.5
6095 20 90515301 237-5161-SH,03 85.1

T51 (2") round Speedrod

Fully carburized. D = 72 mm.

L

Length (L) Product code Weight

Product No.
mm foot Fully carburized Surface hardened approx. kg

1525 5 90510737 237-5115-MF-C,02 25.0

1830 6 90510738 237-5118-MF-C,02 26.8
Both surface hardened and fully carburized

3660 12 90515311 237-5137-MF,29 55.4

4270 14 90515314 237-5143-MF,29 64.0
6095 20 90515557 237-5161-MF,29 89.5

Guide tube

Hole diameter Tube diameter Length (L) Weight

Product No. Product code
mm inch mm inch mm foot approx. kg

89 3½ 76 3 1830 6 94502624 237-6618,10 40.0

89 3½ 76 3 3660 12 94502641 237-6637,10 79.1
102 4 87 37∕16 3660 12 94502707 237-6837,10 80.0

Coupling

Full bridge -57.

Diameter Length Weight

Product No. Product code
mm inch mm inch approx. kg

72 227∕32 235 9¼ 90002898 337-0072,00 4.0

72 227∕32 255 10 90002962 337-0072-57,00 4.0
77 3 ∕32
1
235 9¼ 90510523 337-0077,00 4.3

96 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling Tube drilling system

Button bit

Drill tube Drill tube

Retrac guide bit-36

Shank adapter Speedrod Guide tube female/male

Retrac guide bit-35

Speedrod Guide tube female/female Rod adapter

Dome reaming bit

Drill bit design

-6089-21-36-67 -6089-35-67 -6102-36 -6115-21-35-67 -5152-21 151-5152-42-24

Please note text on page 79

42 re. finished hole size.

Drill bit
Diameter Gauge Weight
Product code No. of Buttons × button diameter (mm) Flushing hole
System Thread Product No. buttons approx.
mm inch T60 thread buttons Gauge Centre Side Centre
angle° kg
TDS 45 R32 See page 49
TDS 56 T38 See page 53
TDS 64 T45 See page 58
TDS 76 T51 See page 62
TDS 87 T51 See page 62

BUTTON BIT - Spherical buttons

TDS 76 ST58 89 3½ 90510522 151-5089-21,49-20 14 8×12.7 6×12.7 35° 1 2 4.0
102 4 90510789 151-5102-21,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 5.3
152 6 90513754 151-5152-42-24,49-20* 21 18×14.5 3×14.5 35° 3 3 10.4
TDS 87 ST68 102 4 90510494 152-5102-21,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 5.5
127 5 90514264 152-5127-21,49-20 17 8×15.8 9×14.5 35° 1 2 6.9
152 6 90510528 152-5152-21,49-20 18 8×15.8 10×14.5 35° 1 2 11.8
152 6 90513755 152-5152-42-24,49-20* 21 18×14.5 3×14.5 35° 3 3 11.8

BUTTON BIT - Ballistic buttons

TDS 76 ST58 89 3½ 90510831 151-6089-21-36-67,49-20 13 8×12.7 4×11, 1×11 35° – 4 4.3
89 3½ 90513887 151-6089-35-67,49-20 17 10×11 6×11, 1×11 35° – 4 4.1
TDS 87 ST68 102 4 90510777 152-5102-21-67,49-20 14 8×15.8 6×12.7 35° 1 2 5.5
105 4 ∕8
1
90514291 152-6105-35-67,49-20 18 10×12.7 6×12.7, 2×12.7 35° – 4 5.4
115 4½ 90510701 152-5115-21-67,49-20 14 8×16 6×14.5 35° 1 2 5.8
115 4½ 90514389 152-6115-21-35-67,49-20 17 9×14.5 6×14.5, 2×14.5 35° – 3 7.2
* For reaming, reversed flushing.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 97

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Production drilling Tube drilling system

Guide tube R32–T51 thread Drill tube ST58, ST68 thread
Rope/T thread, male/female

T thread, female/female, -36, -37

TDS 76 with T45 and T51 thread: Without wrench flat.
TDS 76 with ST58 thread: Wrench flat in female end only.
TDS 87 with ST68 thread: Wrench flat in female end only.
L

Length (L) Outer Weight

Flushing hole
System Thread Product No. Product code diameter approx.
mm foot diameter, mm
mm kg
TDS 45 R32 1220 4 94502681 203-7112,10 45 10 10.0
1525 5 94502658 203-7115,10 45 10 12.5
1830 6 94502659 203-7118,10 45 10 14.2
3050 10 94502660 203-7131,10 45 10 23.4
TDS 56 T38 1220 4 94502648 235-7012,10 56 16 12.6
1525 5 94000051 235-7015,10 56 16 14.0
1830 6 94000052 235-7018,10 56 16 17.4
3050 10 94000053 235-7031,10 56 16 28.3
3660 12 94000054 235-7037,10 56 16 32.8
TDS 64 T38 3660 12 94502622 235-6937,10 64 18 51.0
TDS 64 T45 1220 4 94502687 236-6912,10 64 18 20.0
1525 5 94000047 236-6915,10 64 18 21.6
1830 6 94000046 236-6918,10 64 18 25.4
1830 6 90510814 236-6918-36,10** 64 18 27.6
1830 6 94502714 236-6918-87,10 64 18 26.0
3050 10 94000057 236-6931-86,10 64 20 41.7
3660 12 94000050 236-6937,10 64 18 49.0
TDS 76 T45 1830 6 94502656 236-6618,10 76 18 40.0
3660 12 94502627 236-6637,10 76 18 77.8
TDS 76 T51 1830 6 94502624 237-6618,10 76 22 40.0
3660 12 90513888 237-6637-37,10** 76 22 81.2
TDS 76 ST58 1525 5 94502572 251-6615,10 76 24 34.0
1830 6 94000015 251-6618,10 76 24 40.0
1830 6 94502715 251-6618-88,10* 76 24 40.0
3660 12 94502573 251-6637,10 76 24 76.3
TDS 87 ST68 1220 4 90514263 252-6812,10 87 38 29.6
1525 5 94502712 252-6815,10 87 38 35.5
1830 6 94502713 252-6818,10 87 38 41.6
1830 6 94502710 252-6818-88,10* 87 38 43.8
3660 12 94502709 252-6837,10 87 38 81.0
* C-Drive.
** Female/female.

98 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 TOPHAMMER DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Production drilling Tube drilling system

Rod adapter

Fully carburized.
To be used together with female/female guide tube.

Length
Thread Product No. Product code Weight approx. kg
mm inch

220 85∕8 T45 90510815 236-4902-C,00 1.9

250 9 ∕8
7
T51 90514708 237-5102-C,10 2.7

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 99

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba 360  - series
20º
65º

700
3180
2260

1845
2304 1555 1500 2310
Simba 364
7968−8362 (with BMH 234) All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with pneumatic in the hole ham- • Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
mer, ITH and Electric Direct System, EDS. Provides a articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
basic, efficient and productive long hole drilling solution. manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
Ring drilling with parallel holes upwards/downwards and • FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
in the side walls. Three different positioning unit configu-
• Cable reel and collector
rations to match the user’s need. Hole range 95-178 mm
depending on rock drill type.
Main optional equipment
Features • Angle reading instrument
• Hole depth measurement
• Electric Direct System, EDS. High drilling capacity with • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning
basic functions such as semi-automatic drilling and and drilling unit
anti-jamming included. Manually adjusted feed force • Rig alignment laser
from the operator’s panel. Digital movements on the • Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex
• Rig washing kit
drilling unit controlled by switches on a separate • Water hose reel
positioning panel. Trolley mounted control panel for
flexible operator environment
• Rod Handling System, RHS 27
• Pneumatic rock drill COP 34, 44, 54 or 64
• Simba 362, ring drilling with parallel holes up/down
and in the side walls up to 1.5 m apart
• Simba 363, ring drilling with parallel holes up/down
up to 1.5 m apart
• Simba 364, ring drilling with parallel holes up/down
up to 3 m apart and in the side walls up to 1.5 m apart
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam gives
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba 360-series Working range Simba 360-series

Rock drill 1 x 34, 44, 54, 64
945

Rotation unit 1 x DHR 48 750 1500 750

Feed 1 x BMH 234, 235, 236
1150

Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2

Slide table 1 x BHT 150 (Simba 263 and 264)
Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200 45º 45º
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-115
Breakout table 1 x BSH 65
Pendulum arm BHP 150 (Simba 362 and 364)
Power pack 1 x 45 KW
Drilling system EDS
255

Length tramming (BMH 234) 7,968-8,362 mm

Width 1,950/2,380 mm 1950
2380
Height tramming 3,180 mm
2000

2430
Height roof up 2,960 mm
Turning radius 5,440/2,890-2,700 mm
Simba 364
Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 15,500 kg

100 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba M3 C-ITH
2360 - 3060

2500
2900 3740 3000 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with pneumatic in the hole ham-
mer, ITH. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient,
productive and high precision long hole drilling. Ring
drilling with parallel holes upwards/downwards up to
1.5 m apart. Hole diameter 95  –178 mm depending on
rock drill type. Hole depth, up to 66 m with optional
RHS 35.
Features
• RCS with interactive operators control panel. at the drilling unit
Ergonomic design. Proportional movements in the
levers for smooth and precise positioning. Integrated
statistics, diagnostics and log data. Up to five different
preset settings of drilling parameters. PCMCIA-card
interface for transfer of drill plans, log files and
storage of parameter files for optimal drill settings.
Trolley mounted control panel for flexible operators • On board air booster compressor
environment
• Rod Handling System, RHS 27
• Pneumatic ITH rock drill, COP 34, 44, 54 or 64 with
pressure up to 25 bar for high productivity and
excellent hole straightness
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam gives
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation
and less stress on the drilling unit
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with
catalyzer
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle
reading instrument
• A sophisticated lubrication system for the pneumatic
hammer ensures a long life and trouble free use
• Water mist flushing system with external air supply
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
• Cable reel and collector
• Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
Main optional equipment
• FOPS-approved cabin
• ABC Regular, one hole automatics
• ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
• Floating sub on rotation unit
• Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
• Drill Plan Handling, DPH
• Void Detection, VD
• Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
• Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Rod Handling System, RHS 35
• Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
drilling unit
• Rig alignment laser
• Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire
or automatic
• Water hose reel
• Turntable +/- 20°
Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba M3 C-ITH Working range Simba M3 C-ITH

Rock drill 1 x COP 34, 44, 54, 64
A
Rotation unit 1 x DHR48
RD = Ring drilling 1500 (PH) Dimensions
Feed 1 x BMH 234, 235, 236 PH = Parallel holes in mm
Stinger extension
1150
900

Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2

1200 (900)
Feed extension

Slide table 1 x BHT 150 30

o 30 o
R
29
Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200 70
(R
D)
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150
4915

380o

Power pack 1 x 55 kW
1825

Drilling system RCS

Length tramming 10,500 mm 150

Width 2,350 mm 7440

A-A
Stinger extension
2000

Height tramming/roof up 2,875/2,965 mm M3 A

Turning radius 6,300/3,800 mm

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 17,000 kg

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 101

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba M4 C-ITH
2360 - 3060

2700
2900 3740 3200 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with pneumatic in the hole hammer, • ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle
ITH. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient, produc- reading instrument
tive and high precision long hole drilling. Ring drilling with • A unique weight compensating system gives optimal
parallel holes up to 1.5 m apart in the side walls and up to feed force in all directions
3 m apart upwards/downwards. Hole diameter 95   –178 mm
• A sophisticated lubrication system for the pneumatic
depending on rock drill type. Hole depth up to 66 m with
optional RHS 35. hammer ensures a long life and trouble free use
• Water mist flushing system with external air supply
Features • FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
• Cable reel and collector
• Rig Control System, RCS with interactive operators
• Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
control panel. Ergonomic design. Proportional
movements in the levers for smooth and precise at the drilling unit
positioning. Integrated statistics, diagnostics and
log data. Up to five different pre-set settings of drilling
Main optional equipment
• FOPS-approved cabin
parameters. PCMCIA-card interface for transfer of drill • ABC Regular, one hole automatics
plans, log files and storage of parameter files for • ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
optimal drill settings and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
• Trolley mounted control panel for flexible operators • On board air booster compressor
• Floating sub on rotation unit
environment • Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
• Rod Handling System, RHS 27 • Drill Plan Handling, DPH
• Pneumatic ITH rock drill, COP 34, 44, 54 or 64 with • Void Detection, VD
pressure up to 25 bar for high productivity and • Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
• Rig Remote Access, RRA
excellent hole straightness • Rod Handling System, RHS 35
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam give • Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation drilling unit
and less stress on the drilling unit • Rig alignment laser
• Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance, or automatic
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy • Water hose reel
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with catalyzer Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information

Main specifications Simba M4 C-ITH Working range Simba M4 C-ITH

Rock drill 1 x COP 34, 44, 54, 64
Rotation unit 1 x DHR48 A
Feed 1 x BMH 234, 235, 236 RD = Ring drilling 3000 (PH) Dimensionsin mm
Stinger extension
PH = Parallel holes
Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2
1150
900

Slide table 1 x BHT 150

1200 (900)
Feed extension

o
30 o
Pendulum arm 1 x BHP 150 R
750 1500 750 30
29
1500

Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200 70

(R
D)
(PH)

380o
4600

R 27
4915

90 (P
Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150 H)

Power pack 1 x 55 kW
1825

Drilling system RCS

150
Length tramming 10,500 mm 7440 Stinger extension
Width 2,350 mm A-A 2000

Height tramming/roof up 2,875/2,965 mm M4

A

Turning radius 6,300/3,800 mm

Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 20,000 kg

102 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 DRILL RIG SPECIFICATION

Simba M6 C-ITH
3040

Illustration shows rig with

2050 optional equipment mounted
2900 3740 3770 All dimensions in mm

Production drilling rig with pneumatic in the hole ham-
mer, ITH. Rig Control System, RCS, provides efficient,
productive and high precision long hole drilling. Ring
drilling with parallel holes upwards/downwards up to
3 m apart. Hole diameter 95  –178 mm depending on rock
drill type. Hole depth up to 66 m with optional RHS 35.
Features
• Rig Control System, RCS with interactive operators
control panel. Ergonomic design. Proportional
movements in the levers for smooth and precise
positioning. Integrated statistics, diagnostics and
log data. Up to five different pre-set settings of drilling
parameters. PCMCIA-card interface for transfer of drill
plans, log files and storage of parameter files for
optimal drill settings
• Rod Handling System, RHS 27
• Pneumatic ITH rock drill, COP 34, 44, 54 or 64 with
pressure up to 25 bar for high productivity and
excellent hole straightness
• Stingers mounted directly on the feed beam it gives
a sturdy set up with less possible hole deviation
and less stress on the drilling unit
• Mine adapted carrier with high ground clearance,
articulated steering and four wheel drive for easy
manoeuvring in narrow drifts and steep ramps
• Turbo charged water cooled diesel engine with catalyzer
• ABC Basic with semi automatic drilling and angle
reading instrument
• A unique weight compensating system gives optimal
feed force in all directions
• A sophisticated lubrication system for the pneumatic
hammer ensures a long life and trouble free use
• Water mist flushing system with external air supply
• FOPS-approved telescopic protection roof
• Cable reel and collector
• Environment-friendly system to minimize hydraulic
oil pollution.
• Smart oil leakage shut-down and distributed hydraulics
at the drilling unit
• I-frame attached positioning and drilling unit. High
visibility and safety for operator when working under
FOPS approved roof
Main optional equipment
• FOPS-approved cabin
• ABC Regular, one hole automatics
• ABC Total, full fan automatics, including Full Drill Data Handling
and Breakthrough Automatic Stop
• On board air booster compressor
• Floating sub on rotation unit
• Full Drill Data Handling, including DPH and MWD
• Drill Plan Handling, DPH
• Void Detection, VD
• Breakthrough Automatic Stop, BAS
• Rig Remote Access, RRA
• Rod Handling System, RHS 35
• Automatic or central lubrication system for the positioning and
drilling unit
• Rig alignment laser
• Fire suppression system, Ansul or Forrex - manual, check fire
or automatic
• Water hose reel
• Trolley mounted control panel

Main specifications Simba M6 C-ITH Working range Simba M6 C-ITH

Rock drill 1 x COP 34, 44, 54, 64 A
Rotation unit DHR48 RD = Ring drilling 3000 (PH) Dimensions
Stinger extension
in mm
Feed 1 x BMH 234, 235, 236 PH = Parallel holes
1150
900

Rotary actuator 1 x BHR 60-2 Feed extension

I-frame with pendulum arm ±1,5 m 30

o
1200 (900)
45 o
R

Stinger backward on feed 1 x BSJ8-200

48
80
(
5650

Stinger forward on feed 1 x BSJ8-150

RD

o 45 o
45
5000

(RD)
Power pack 1 x 55 kW R 2760 380o
2780

Drilling system RCS

Length tramming 10,500 mm 150

Width 2,210 mm 8520 Stinger extension

Height tramming 3,200 mm A-A
A
2000

M6
Turning radius 6,750/3,800 mm
Gross weight (basic rig+RHS) app. 22,000 kg

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 103

 ITH ROTATION UNITS

Rotation units for ITH drilling

DHR 48H68-3

Technical data
DHR series
Hole diameter range 70-165 mm,
drilling torque up to 5,100 Nm
The Atlas Copco DHR series of rotation units for
underground ITH drilling consists of a full programme
of hydraulically-powered versions designed for longer
life, superior wear resistance, and enhanced output.
They are equipped with either fixed or moving adapters
for all common types and dimensions of thread. All are
equipped with reliable, longlife motors of a type for
which planetary gear is unnecessary. Normal working
torque is obtained even at a very modest hydraulic
pressure. The potential working pressure, however, is
much greater, offering a good margin for more deman-
ding work situations. Engine speed and rotation direction
are easy to set on all motors, and the superior design gives
both quiet operation and minimal maintenance. There are
two well-proven sizes of reduction gear with various gear
combinations to suit all DHR series motor versions.
They are extremely strong, and designed for simple
and easy mounting.

Operative data, hydraulically powered rotation units Adapter type/thread

Type Recommended for
DHR 48H56 DHR 48H68 Rotation Units Adapter type/thread
ITH Hammer
Length1, mm 534/888 550/904 DHR 48H56-1 Floating API 23/8” Reg Box 4”- 5”
Weights1, kg 164/240 166/242 DHR 48H56-2 Fixed API 23/8” Reg Box 4”- 5”
Drill tube connection DHR 48H56-3 Floating API 31/2” Reg Box 5”- 6”
API Reg Female 23/8”/ 3½” 23/8”/ 3½” DHR 48H56-6 Fixed API 31/2” Reg Box 5”- 6”
Drive motors qty 2 2 DHR 48H68-1 Floating API 23/8” Reg Box 4”- 5”
Drive motor type OMSS160 OMSS250 DHR 48H68-2 Fixed API 23/8” Reg Box 4”- 5”
Drilling performance2 DHR 48H68-3 Floating API 31/2” Reg Box 6”- 8”
Torque, max (Nm) 3,900 5,100 DHR 48H68-6 Fixed API 31/2” Reg Box 6”- 8”
Press drop, max (bar) 210 175
Speed, max (rpm)3 107 68
Flow, max (l/min) 150 150
1
With fixed adapter/floating adapter
2
With mineral oil. For other oils ask for information
3
Not in combination with max torque

104 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 ITH DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Air consumption/Working pressure

(cfm) (l/s)
2000
900

800
Hammer types
1500 700
Air consumption

600
Type Std QM Slim*
COP 34 
500
1000 COP 44 
400 COP 54  
COP 54 GE   
300
COP 64 G   
500 200
* Reduced hammer OD
100

0 0
10 15 20 25 30 (bar)

150 200 250 300 350 400 450 (psi)

Working pressure

COP 34 COP 44 COP 54 COP 54 GOLD EXPRESS COP 64 GOLD

Technical data
Hammer COP 34 COP 44 COP 54 COP 54 Gold Express COP 64 Gold

Length excl. thread 954 mm 37.55 in 958 mm 37.72 in 1069 mm 42.08 in 1119 mm 44.1 in 1163 mm 45.78 in

External diameter 83.5 mm 3.28 in 98 mm 3.86 in 120 mm 4.72 in 120 mm 4.72 in 142 mm 5.59 in

External diameter QM 126 mm 4.96 in 126 mm 4.96 in 146 mm 5.75 in

Hammer weight 27 kg 60 lbs 38 kg 84 lbs 57 kg 126 lbs 66 kg 145 lbs 96 kg 212 lbs

Hammer weight QM 67 kg 148 lbs 76 kg 167 lbs 109 kg 241 lbs

Piston diameter 68 mm 2.67 in 78 mm 3.07 in 100 mm 3.93 in 100 mm 3.93 in 120 mm 4.72 in
Piston weight 4.8 kg 10.7 lbs 7.1 kg 16 lbs 12.5 kg 28 lbs 15 kg 33 lbs 20.5 kg 45 lbs

Recommended bit size 92-105 mm 35/8-41/8 in 110-125 mm 45/16-5 in 134-152 mm 51/4-6 in 134-152 mm 5.3-6 in 156-178 mm 61/8-7 in

Rec. bit size QM 140-152 mm 51/4-6 in 140-152 mm 5.5-6 in 165-178 61/2-7 in

Rec. bit size Slim 130-152 mm 5.1-6.0 in 152-178 mm 6-7 in

Bit shank COP 34 IR DHD340 IR DHD350 IR QL 50 IR QL 60

Top sub thread 23/8" API Reg 23/8" API Reg 23/8" API Reg 31/2" API Reg 31/2" API Reg

Optional thread
connection 31/2" API Reg 27/8" API Reg 31/2" API IF

Wrench flat
23/8" API Reg 65 mm 2.6 in 65 mm 2.6 in 65 mm 2.6 in
27/8" API Reg 95 mm 3.7 in 65 mm 2.6 in
31/2" API Reg 95 mm 3.7 in 102 mm 4.0 in
31/2" API Reg (QM) 102 mm 4.0 in 102 mm 4.0 in 102 mm 4.0 in

Feed force 3-12 kN 700-2500 lbs 5-15 kN  1100-3300 lbs 6-17 kN  1300-3700 lbs 6-19 kN  1300-4100 lbs 7-20 kN 1600-4400 lbs
Feed force, normal 6 kN 1300 lbs 10 kN 2200 lbs 12 kN 2600 lbs 14 kN 2600 lbs 14 kN 3100 lbs

Working pressure 6-25  bar 87-360 psi 6-25 bar 87-360 psi 6-25  bar 87-360 psi 6-25  bar 87-360 psi 12-30 bar 174-430 psi

Rotation speed 30-90 r/min 25-80 r/min 20-70 r/min 20-70 r/min 25-60 r/min

Standard design – Ideal for water well drilling, blast hole drilling and civil engineering projects.
QM design – Designed for abrasive and demanding applications. The QM hammer features a larger overall diameter, in turn
allowing for thicker walls and, ultimately, a longer service life. It’s also equipped with reversing back-out buttons,
protecting the top sub from wear.
Slim design – The Slim version is designed for non to medium-abrasive formations, using a smaller bit diameter than
recommended for the standard hammer OD. The Slim design allows an oversized hammer to drill the hole,
thereby optimizing performance.

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 105

 ITH DRILLING EQUIPMENT

ITH Drilling equipment

Convex/Ballistic Concave front

Bit designs Flat front HD SpeedBit Rocket bit
front design design
Hammers
COP 34 * * * *
COP 44 * * * *
COP 54 * * * *
COP 64 Gold * * * *

Bit dimensions
Diam. mm 90 92 95 100 105 110 115 125 130 134 140 146 149 152 156 165 178

Diam. inch 39/16 35/8 33/4 4 41/7 41/3 41/2 5 51/8 52/7 51/2 53/4 56/7 6 61/7 61/2 7

Hammers
COP 34 * * * * *
COP 44 * * * * * *
COP 54/
COP 54 GE * * * * * *
COP 64 Gold * * * *
*Standard dimension *Restricted use only

ITH Drillsting specification

Simba

Rotation unit Adapter Drill pipe Crossover iTh hammer Bit

COP 44 Std, API 2 3⁄8" Reg Pin 110-130 mm

9704-03-00
Not needed COP 54 Std, API 3 ½" Reg Pin 134-152 mm
9705-03-04
OD = 89 mm
Wall = 6.3 mm
L = 1500 mm
1 DhR 48h56-3 API 3 ½" Reg Pin x 2 3⁄8" Reg Box 210-089-0150-B41-L0,40-05
DhR 48h56-6 L =120 mm or
API 3 ½" Reg Box 310-2114-14-012-01,D00-41 L = 1800 mm
210-089-0180-B41-L0,40-06
API 2 3⁄8" Reg
COP 54 GE Std, API 3 ½" Reg Pin 134-152 mm
9705-05-34
2 3⁄8" Reg Pin x 3 ½" Reg Box COP 54 GE QM, API 3 ½" Reg Pin 140-152 mm
L = 220 mm 9705-05-36
314-2114-10-022-01-D00,41 COP 64 Gold Std, API 3 ½" Reg Pin 156-203 mm
9706-05-34
COP 64 Gold QM, API 3 ½" Reg Pin 165-203 mm
9706-05-36

106 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 HYDRAULIC FEEDS

Rod Handling System RHS 17, 27 and 35

RHS 27

Rod handling system for mechanized handling of extension 51 m is possible with rod length 4, 5 or 6 ft respectively.
rods and drill tubes on Simba underground production RHS 27 is available in versions for Speedrod® R32, T38,
drill rigs. T45 and T51, or for drilltube diameter 64, 76, 87 and 89 mm.

Features RHS 35 has a storage capacity in the carousel of 35 rods.

Together with the rod in the feed, hole depth up to 55 or
The mechanized rod handling system relieves the operator 66 m is possible with rod length 5 or 6 ft respectively.
from heavy lifting work and is therefore an essential RHS 35 is available in versions for drill tube diameter
feature for maintaining high productivity. 89 mm. Available for ITH Simba drill rigs only.

The RHS system for mounting on Atlas Copco Simba
production drill rigs is available in three types – RHS 17,
RHS 27 and RHS 35 and can be used when drilling in all
directions.
RHS 17 has a storage capacity in the carousel of 17 rods.
Together with the rod in the feed, hole depth up to 22, 27.5
or 33 m is possible with rod length 4, 5 or 6 ft respectively.
RHS 17 is available in versions for Speedrod® R32, T38,
T45 and T51, or for drilltube diameter 64 mm.
On Simba RCS controlled rigs the system controls drilling
and rod handling. It enables the operator to start a drill
hole and then leave the machine to complete the hole to
a preprogrammed depth, after which it restores the drill
rods into the carousel. In the meantime, the operator can
attend to other tasks.
The RHS 17, 27 and RHS 35 are deliverad for left-hand side
assembly.

RHS 27 has a storage capacity in the carousel of 27 rods.

Together with the rod in the feed, hole depth up to 34, 43 or

Technical data RHS 17 RHS 27 RHS 35

Rod diameters, mm 32, 38, 45, 51 32, 38, 45, 51 N/A
Tube diameters, mm 64 64, 76, 87, 89 89
BMH 214 BMH 215 BMH 216 BMH 244 BMH 245 BMH 246
Feed type – BMH 235 BMH 236
BMH 224 BMH 225 BMH 226 BMH 235 BMH 356
Rod/tube length, mm (ft) 1 220 (4) 1 525 (5) 1 830 (6) 1 220 (4) 1 525 (5) 1 830 (6) – 1 500 (5) 1 875 (6)
No. of rods/tubes 17 + 1 27 + 1 35 + 1
Max. hole depth, m (ft) 22 (72) 27.5 (90) 33 (108) 34 (112) 43 (141) 51 (167) – 54 (177) 66 (216)
Total weight, excl rods, kg 548 569 580 568 584 600 – 734 750

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 107

 HYDRAULIC FEEDS

Hydraulic Feeds BMH 200-series

BMH 215

BMH 235

BMH 200-series
The feeds are specially designed for high precision long- and breaks the threaded joints between the tubes in the
hole drilling and are available for either tophammer drilling drill string when they are withdrawn from the hole. The
or ITH drilling. The double-bottom feed beam, made of ex- clamping cylinders have piston rod-end pieces which are
truded aluminium, withstands high torsional and bending available for different types of drill tubes/rods. A special
stresses. The double-action hydraulic cylinder, with its direct rod breaker version is available for slot drilling.
coupling to the cradle, gives smoother and steady move-
ment of the rock drill. Thanks to replaceable wear pads
and easily adjustable cradle, centring of the rock drill can Specifications
be maintained without difficulty. All surfaces exposed to Type Rod length Total Weight Weight
wear are protected by stainless-steel guide sleeves length excl. rock
mm ft mm kg drill kg

Tophammer drilling BMH 210, 220 and 240 COP 1838

214 1220 4 3160 510 698
• BMH 210-series are intended for COP 1838 rock drills.
215 1525 5 3465 535 716
• BMH 220-series are intended for COP 2550UX rock drills.
216 1830 6 3770 560 734
• BMH 240-series are intended for COP 4050MUX.
214X* 1220 4 3365 510 748
ITH drilling BMH 230 215X* 1525 5 3670 535 766
• BMH 230-series is intended for COP 34, 44, 54 or 64 ITH 216X* 1830 6 3975 560 784
hammers COP 2550UX
224X* 1220 4 3365 510 748
Drill steel support BSH 55 (tophammer drilling) 225X* 1525 5 3670 535 766
The feeds are equipped with BSH 55 hydraulic drill steel 226X* 1830 6 3975 560 784
support, which works with one pair of clamping cylinders. COP 4050
The support centralizes and guides the drill string during 244 1220 4 3390 510 698
collaring and guides it during drilling. It grips the drill rod 245 1525 5 3695 535 716
when breaking the joints and holds the drill string safely 246 1830 6 4000 560 734
in place during rod handling. The clamping cylinders have
244X* 1220 4 3590 510 748
piston rod-end pieces which are available for different
types of drill tubes/rods. 245X* 1525 5 3895 535 766
246X* 1830 6 4200 560 789
* additional X = extractor device for rock drill (backhammering unit)
Rod breaker BSH 65 (ITH drilling) COP 34, 44, 54, 64
The feeds are equipped with BSH 65 hydraulic rod breaker, 235 1875 6.1 3200 535 930
which works with two pairs of clamping cylinders and a 236 1875 6.1 3510 560 948
breaking cylinder. The rod breaker serves a dual purpose:
235X* 1500 6.1 3500 535 930
It guides the drill string during collaring. It also guides the
drill string during drilling. It breaks the threaded joint 236X* 1875 6.1 3810 560 948
between the rotation unit and the drill tube during drilling, * additional X = floating sub on rotation unit

108 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


Angle Reading Instruments ARI 6C, 157C and 1257C
The working menu presents the rotation angle and the lookout
angle. Hole depth measurements is option (ARI 6C).
The Angle Reading Instruments are electronic indication
systems used on the production drill rigs Simba 157 and
Simba 250/1250 series.
ARI 6C is a system that indicates the feeder direction.
This system indicates the rotation angle and lookout angle.
The system is also available with hole depth measurement
(option). With this option the hole depth that has been
reached and also the drilling rate in metres per minute
are shown instantaneously on the display.
The rotation angle can show values between 0 and 360
degrees. Theoretically, the lookout angle can have a value
between -180 and +180 degrees, but the angle is limited
mechanically to smaller values.
The working menu also shows the direction in which the
angular value in question is to rise (positive direction).
This is shown by means of symbols in the upper right-hand
corner of the menu where the arrow in the symbols indi-
cates the positive direction. If the system is equipped for
hole depth measurement (option), the measured hole depth
is presented numerically in metres. While drilling is in pro-
gress, the drilling rate is also shown along a ruler gradu-
ated in metres per minute. When drilling is interrupted,
the position of the rock drill cradle is shown instead.
The system includes different menus for setting sensor
values, zero point for rotation direction and lookout direction.
The system also includes diagnostic fault indication and
fault finding.
ARI 157 is an electronic angle indication system. A display
screen on the control panel shows feeder angles in rela-
tion to the rig or another selected direction (reference
direction). The directional control is adapted to the
BUT 4 boom.
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 109
DRILL RIG OPTIONS
The working menu Production Drilling presents the rotation
angle, feed angle and horizontal angle (ARI 157C).
The working menu Production Drilling shows three
different angles:
• Rotation angle (shown in relation to the defined zero
point).
• Feed angle (shown if the rotation angle is less than +/- 75
degrees from the vertical plane).
• Horizontal angle (shown when the feed angle is not shown,
that is when the feeder rotates to the closest horizontal
position).
The working menu Production Drilling also shows infor-
mation on which rotation direction and lookout direction
should generate increasing angle values. This is shown
using symbols in the right hand corner of the menu, where
the arrow in the symbols indicates a positive direction.
The system has a number of menus for viewing, setting
and calibration of different sensors. A diagnostic fault indi-
cation and fault finding system is also included. User menu
to define the password when required. ARI 157C also con-
tains a working menu for Drift Drilling.
ARI 1257 is an electronic angle indication system.
Besides the same functionality as ARI 157 the ARI 1257
also has the possibility to show the distance between
the feed and the rig in the working menu.
Visit www.atlascopco.com/cmt for more information
 secoroc grinding

The right tools to get you back on the cutting edge

Every regrinding operation requires its own special tool. The wrong one can easily damage your bits.
With Secoroc Grind Matic grinding equipment – complemented by a global service organization
– you needn’t worry. Your bits will soon be as good as new.

A machine for every occasion

Button DTH/COPROD Reaming Cross-type

Grinding machine Integrals
bits bits bits bits
Grind Matic BQ2  
Grind Matic Jazz   
Grind Matic Manual B  
Grind Matic HG   
Grind Matic BQ2-DTH 
Grind Matic Manual B-DTH*  A useful tip: use a Secoroc grinding
template, and you’ll see when it’s
Grind Matic X  time for a regrind.
Grind Matic Swing 
Grind Matic Senior 
 Recommended Can be used * Can be used for ODEX pilot bits and reaming bits.

110 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


Grinding
Grind Matic BQ2
Semi-automatic grinding machine
for button bits
Grinding capacity
Maximum height of drill bit 200 mm (77⁄8")
Maximum diameter of drill bit 127 mm (5")
Maximum bit skirt diameter 120 mm (4.75")
Minimum distance
between buttons 3,5 mm ( ⁄64")
9
Technical data
Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi)
Air pressure, min. 4 bar (58 psi)
Air consumption 40 l/min
Capacity of cooling-fluid tank 22 l
Output, spindle motor 1,00 kW
Output, driving plate motor 0,15 kW
Output, coolant pump motor 0,10 kW
Speed, spindle 14900 r/min
Speed, table (50 Hz) 46 r/min
Speed, table (60 Hz) 55 r/min
Voltage working lighting 12 V
Weight, excluding packaging 222 kg (490 Ib)
Transport dimension L 173 x W 103 x H 116 mm
(6¾" x 4" x 4 5⁄8")
Accessories included in delivery
Allen key, 8 mm (1 piece)
Centring cup
Centring device (1 piece)
Coolant concentrate, 0,5 l
Grinding templates, spherical and ballistic
Grinding wheel, uncoated for centering
Protective goggles
Operator’s instructions and spare parts list
Electrical
specifications Prod. No. Prod. code
220 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87003801 3800-49
220 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87003805 3800-60
380 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87003800 3800-52
415 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87003802 3800-54
415 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87003804 3800-62
440 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87003806 3800-63 - with cabin 87004388 9500-4388
Note:
Grind Matic BQ2 must be completed with grinding
wheels, centring cups, bitholders (indicate button
size and thread dimension) and indexing templates.
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 111
Grind Matic BQ2-DTH
Semi-automatic grinding machine
for DTH- and COPROD bits
Grinding capacity
Maximum height of drill bit 650 mm (2'15⁄8")
Maximum diameter of drill bit 178 mm (7")
Minimum distance between buttons 3,5 mm (9⁄64")
Technical data
Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi)
Air pressure, min. 4 bar (58 psi)
Air consumption 40 l/min
Capacity of cooling-fluid tank 22 l
Output, spindle motor 3,00 kW
Output, table drive motor 0,15 kW
Output, coolant pump motor 0,10 kW
Speed, spindle 14900 r/min
Speed, table (50 Hz) 22 r/min
Speed, table (60 Hz) 26 r/min
Voltage working lighting 12 V
Weight, excluding packaging 345 kg (760 lb)
Transport dimension L 120 x W 120 x H 170 mm
(4¾" x 4¾" x 6¾")
Accessories included in delivery
Coolant concentrate, 0,5 l
Grinding templates, spherical and ballistic
Puller
Protective goggles
Operator’s instructions and spare parts list
Electrical
specifications Prod. No. Prod. code
220 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87003901 3900-49
220 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87003904 3900-60
380 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87003900 3900-52
415 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87003902 3900-54
415 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87003905 3900-62
440 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87003906 3900-63
NOTE:
Grind Matic BQ2-DTH must be completed with
grinding wheels, centring cups and bitholders
(indicate button size, bit diameter and type of
hammer).
Optional accessories Prod. No. Prod. code
- Auxiliary set for grinding
threaded bits (excl.
bitholder and templates) 87003939 9500-3939
secoroc grinding
Grind Matic Jazz
Rig-mounted, semi-automatic
grinding machine for tapered,
threaded, DTH- and COPROD bits
Grinding capacity
Maximum distance between bit holder
and grinding wheel 250 mm (97⁄8")
Maximum diameter of drill bit 254 mm (10")
Minimum diameter of drill bit 35 mm (13⁄8")
Minimum distance between buttons 3,5 mm (9⁄64")
Technical data
Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi)
Air pressure, min. 6 bar (87 psi)
Air consumption 25 l/s
Coolant container 3l
Output, spindle motor 1,00 kW
Speed, spindle 15000 r/min
Voltage 24 V
Weight, excluding packaging 90 kg (198 lb)
Transport dimension L 800 x W 500 x H 700 mm
(2'7½" x 1'75⁄8" x 2'3½")
Accessories included in delivery
Box wrench, 11 mm
Box wrench, 16 mm
Grinding gauge
Protective goggles
Operator's instructions and spare parts list
NOTE:
Grind Matic Jazz must be completed with grinding
wheels, centring cups, bitholders and indexing
templates.
Optional accessories Prod. No. Prod. code
- Anti-freeze kit 87004315 9500-4315
- Main bit holder for DTH/
COPROD bits 87004268 9500-4268
- Main bit holder
for threaded bits 87004214 9500-4214
- Mounting bracket
for Atlas Copco drill rig
- without cabin 87004456 9500-4456
- 3-leg stand 87004450 9500-4450
- Centring tool 87004465 9500-4465
Grind Matic Jazz, std Prod. No. Prod. code
87004100 9500-4100
incl. main bit holder for threaded bits
Grind Matic Jazz, DTH Prod. No. Prod. code
87004300 9500-4300
incl. main bit holder for DTH/COPROD bits
 secoroc grinding
Grinding
Grind Matic Manual B
Hand-held portable grinding machine
for button bits
Grinding capacity
Maximum diameter of bit skirt 90 mm (39⁄16")
Threaded bits, maximum diameter 127 mm (5")
Retrac, maximum diameter 127 mm (5")*
Tube drilling, maximum diameter 152 mm (6")*
Technical data
Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi)
Air consumption 15 l/s
Coolant container 10 l
Idling speed of hand-held grinder 30000 r/min
Speed of bit rotation 0–45 r/min
Weight, excluding packaging 55 kg (121.3 Ib)
Weight, including packaging 90 kg (198.4 Ib)
Transport dimension L 1200 x W 800 x H 850 mm
(3'11¼" x 2'7½" x 2'9½")
* Large clamping device necessary
Accessories included in delivery
Allen key, 4 mm
Centring fingers (4 pcs)
Grinding templates, spherical and ballistic
Hand-held grinder, 30000 r/min
Open end spanner, 14 mm (2 pcs)
Protective goggles
Operator’s instructions and spare parts list
NOTE:
Grind Matic Manual B must be completed with
grinding wheels and bitholders.
Optional accessories Prod. No. Prod. code
- Vibration absorbing
sleeve to fit the
hand-held grinder 87001931 9500-1931
- Set of 5 centring fingers 87001935 9500-1935
Grind Matic Manual B Prod. No. Prod. code
87001890 9424
112 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
Grind Matic Manual B-DTH Grind Matic HG
Hand-held portable grinding machine Hand-held grinding machine
for DTH bits for button bits
Grinding capacity Grinding capacity
Maximum height of drill bit 506 mm (1'77⁄8") Button size 7–20 mm
Maximum diameter of drill bit 203 mm (8") (9⁄32"–25⁄32")
Maximum diameter of bit shank 170 mm (6¾")
Technical data
Technical data Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi)
Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi) Air consumption, unloaded 50 l/s
Air consumption (incl. gauge grinding) 25 l/s Air consumption, loaded (at 6 bar, 86 psi) 42 l/s
Air consumption (excl. gauge grinding) 23 l/s Hose dimension, air 12,5 mm (½")
Coolant container 10 l Hose dimension, water 6,3 mm (¼")
Dimension of grinding belt 50 x 1500 mm (2" x 4'11") Idling speed 17000 r/min
Idling speed of hand-held grinder 18000 r/min Water flushing pressure, max. 4,5 bar (65.3 psi)
Speed of bit rotation 0–45 r/min Weight, excluding hoses 2,8 kg (6.2 Ib)
Weight, excluding packaging 110 kg (253 lb)
Weight, including packaging 148 kg (326 lb) Accessories included in delivery
Weight of gauge grinding unit, net 27,5 kg (60.6 lb) Adjustable angle connector
Weight of gauge grinding unit, gross 35 kg (77.2 lb) Allen key, 2 mm
Transport dimension L 1200 x W 800 x H 940 mm Allen key, 3 mm
(3'11¼" x 2'7½" x 3'1") Allen key, 5 mm
Claw coupling (6,3 mm)
Accessories included in delivery Grease gun
Allen key, 5 mm Grinding templates, spherical and ballistic
Allen key, 6 mm Hose (PVC 03)
Centring fingers (4 pcs) Hose (PVC 6; L = 0,1 m)
Grinding belt (4 pcs)* Hose clamp (7–8,5 mm)
Grinding templates, spherical and ballistic Hose clamp (11–13 mm)
Hand-held grinder (spherical, 18000 r/min) Hose clamp (26–38 mm)
Open end spanner, 14 mm (2 pcs) Nipple
Protective goggles Pipe (L = 0,3 m)
Operator’s instructions and spare parts list Seal kit
Seat
*) When ordering gauge grinding unit, Support ring
Product No. 87002302 / Product code 9500-2302. Operator’s instructions and spare parts list
NOTE: Grind Matic Manual B-DTH must be Optional accessories Prod. No. Prod. code
completed with grinding wheels and bitholders. - Lubricator 87002750 9500-2750
- Reconditioning tool
Optional accessories Prod. No. Prod. code for grinding cups 87002810 9500-2810
- Gauge grinding unit
complete 87002302 9500-2302 Grind Matic HG Prod. No. Prod. code
- Grinding belt for gauge 87002435 9542
grinding (set of 10 pcs) 87002399 9500-2399
- Centring fingers
(set of 5 pcs),
30000 r/min 87001935 9500-1935
- Clamping device
for threaded bits 87002401 9500-2401
Grind Matic Prod. No. Prod. code
Manual B-DTH 87002300 9425

Grinding
Grind Matic X
Grinding machine for cross-type bits
Grinding capacity
Maximum diameter of cross-type bit 64 mm (217/32")
Technical data Grind Matic X (380 V, 50 Hz)
Output 1,70 kW
Idling speed, 50 Hz 1400 r/min
Idling speed, 60 Hz 1680 r/min
Output, grinding device 0,37 kW
Automatic grinding action, 50 Hz 117 strokes/min
Automatic grinding action, 60 Hz 140 strokes/min
Grinding wheel, frontal grinding:
Maximum diameter 300 mm (1113⁄16")
Maximum width 68 mm (211⁄16")
Grinding wheel, gauge grinding:
Diameter 300 mm (1113⁄16")
Width 32 mm (1¼")
Weight, excluding packaging 235 kg (518 Ib)
Weight, including packaging 360 kg (794 Ib)
Accessories included in delivery
Flange washer
Grinding template, cross-type bit
Mandrel, complete
Protective goggles
Wheel dresser
Wheel dressing template, cross-type bit
Operator’s instructions and spare parts list
Electrical
specifications Prod. No. Prod. code
220 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87002499 9502-49
220 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002507 2507
380 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87000608 9502-52
380 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002508 9502-61
415 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87002502 9525
415 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002509 9502-62
440 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002510 9502-63
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 113
Grind Matic Swing
Grinding machine for integrals
Technical data
Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi)
Air consumption (at 6 bar, 86 psi) 25 l/s
Cutting-edge angle 110°
Cutting-edge radius 80 mm (35⁄32")
Gauge grinding arrangement included
Hose connections:
- Air 12,5 mm (½")
- Water 6,3 mm (¼")
Idling speed 4080 r/min
Power output 1,10 kW
Size of grinding wheel
- D x T x H 125 x 63 x 32 mm (47/8" x 215/32" x 1¼")
- DI x TI 80 x 50 mm (35/32" x 2")
Spindle diameter 16 mm (5/8")
Weight incl. grinding wheel and
1,5 m water hose 27,5 kg (61 lb)
Accessories included in delivery
Grinding template
Grinding wheel Grind Master Soft
Pin wrench
Protective goggles
Operator’s instructions and spare parts list
Optional accessories Prod. No. Prod. code
- Grinding wheel
Grind Master Hard 87002589 9550
- Grinding wheel
Grind Master Soft 87002811 9500-2811
- Chuck bushing wear gauge
H19 (0,75") 90002667 9131
H22 (0,85") 90002668 9132
H25 (1") 90002669 9133
Grind Matic Swing Prod. No. Prod. code
87002482 9544
secoroc grinding
Grind Matic Senior
Grinding machine for integrals
Technical data
Air pressure, max. 7 bar (101.5 psi)
Cutting-edge angle, adjustable 90–130°
Grinding wheel
-DxTxH 200 x 102 x 32 mm (77⁄8" x 4" x 1¼)
- DI x TI 150 x 80 mm (57⁄8" x 35⁄32")
- Cutting-edge radius, adjustable 80-130 mm (3 5⁄32"–51⁄8")
Idling speed, electric 50 Hz 2840 r/min
Idling speed, electric 60 Hz 1690 r/min
Output 3-phase 1,50 kW
Rod hex. max. 25 mm (1")
Weight excluding packaging 105 kg (232 lb)
Weight including packaging 120 kg (265 lb)
Transport dimension L 800 x W 600 x H 650 mm
(2'7½" x 1'115⁄8" x 2'15⁄8")
Accessories included in delivery
Grease gun
Grinding template
Grinding wheel, Grind Master Hard
Protective goggles
Socket wrench
Wrench
Operator’s instructions and spare parts list
Electrical
specifications Prod. No. Prod. code
220 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87002485 9511-49
220 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002493 9427
380 V 3-phase 50 Hz 87135402 9511-52
380 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002494 9428
415 V 3-phase 50 HZ 87002488 9519
415 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002495 9511-62
440 V 3-phase 60 Hz 87002496 –
Optional accessories Prod. No. Prod. code
- Grinding wheels
Grind Master Hard 87002591 9552
Grind Master Soft 87002813 9500-2813
- Spacer plate
for H19 integral 87000519 9500-0519
- Chuck bushing wear guage
H19 (0.75") 90002667 9131
H22 (0.85") 90002668 9132
H25 (1") 90002669 9133
 secoroc grinding

Diamond grinding cups for Centring cups for

Grind Matic HG Grind Matic BQ2/BQ2-DTH

Dimension, mm Product No. Product code For button size Product No. Product code
7,0 87002566 9500-2566 7,0 mm 87001040 9500-1040
For spherical button bits
8,0 87002567 9500-2567 8,0 mm 87000842 9500-0842
9,0 87002568 9500-2568 9,0 mm 87001047 9500-1047
10,0 87002569 9500-2569 10,0 mm 87001041 9500-1041
11,0 87002570 9500-2570 11,0 mm 87000840 9500-0840
12,0 87002571 9500-2571 12,0 mm 87001042 9500-1042
13,0 87002572 9500-2572 12,7 mm 87000839 9500-0839
14,0 87002573 9500-2573 13,0 mm 87001385 9500-1385
15,0 87002574 9500-2574 14,0 mm 87001043 9500-1043
16,0 87002575 9500-2575 14,5 mm 87001443 9500-1443
18,0 87002576 9500-2576 15,0 mm 87001386 9500-1386
20,0 87002577 9500-2577 16,0 mm 87001387 9500-1387
7,0 87002579 9500-2579 18,0 mm 87003943 9500-3943
For ballistic button bits
8,0 87002580 9500-2580 19,0 mm 87003944 9500-3944
9,0 87002581 9500-2581
10,0 87002582 9500-2582
11,0 87002583 9500-2583
12,0 87002584 9500-2584
13,0 87002585 9500-2585
14,0 87002586 9500-2586
15,0 87002587 9500-2587
16,0 87002588 9500-2588

For button bit steel removal 7–8 87002700 9500-2700

9–10 87002701 9500-2701
11–12 87002702 9500-2702
13–14 87002703 9500-2703
15–16 87002704 9500-2704
17–18 87002840 9500-2840
19–20 87002841 9500-2841

Grinding wheels for steel grinding

Boron nitride – button bits
Grind Matic BQ2
Dimension Product No. Product code
10–14 mm 87001530 9500-1530
Spacer for 10 mm button 87001631 9500-1631
Spacer for 11 mm button 87001632 9500-1632
Spacer for 12 mm button 87001633 9500-1633
Spacer for 13 mm button 87001634 9500-1634
Spacer for 14 mm button 87001635 9500-1635

114 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 secoroc grinding

Diamond grinding wheels for button bits

Grind Matic BQ2
Grind Matic BQ2-DTH
Grind Matic Jazz
Grind Matic Manual B
Grind Matic Manual B-DTH

Standard diamond-grain wheels Large diamond-grain wheels

Dimension, mm Product No. Product code Dimension, mm Product No. Product code
Spherical Spherical
7 87001028 9500-1028 9 87003969 9500-3969
8 87001026 9500-1026 10 87003970 9500-3970
9 87001389 9500-1389 11 87003971 9500-3971
10 87001023 9500-1023 12 87003972 9500-3972
11 87003406 9500-3406 13 87003973 9500-3973
12 87001024 9500-1024 Ballistic
13 87001339 9500-1339 9 87003974 9500-3974
14 87001025 9500-1025 10 87003975 9500-3975
15 87001384 9500-1384 11 87003976 9500-3976
16 87001027 9500-1027 12 87003977 9500-3977
18 87003964 9500-3964
19 87003966 9500-3966
Ballistic
Grind Matic Manual B-DTH
(with the 18 000 rpm grinder)
7 87003407 9500-3407
8 87003408 9500-3408 Dimension, mm Product No. Product code

9 87003409 9500-3409 Spherical

10 87003410 9500-3410 10 87002033 9500-2033

11 87003411 9500-3411 11 87002042 9500-2042

12 87003412 9500-3412 12 87002043 9500-2043

13 87003413 9500-3413 13 87002044 9500-2044

14 87003414 9500-3414 14 87002045 9500-2045

15 87003415 9500-3415 15 87002046 9500-2046

16 87003416 9500-3416 16 87002032 9500-2032

18 87003965 9500-3965 18 87002097 9500-2097

19 87003967 9500-3967 19 87002174 9500-2174

Grinding templates for button bits

Product No. Product code 10
10
,95 D/3

Button bits, spherical 90002944 9104

9

Button bits, ballistic 90503414 9105

12,7

Regrind when flat

is 173 of button dia.
Button bits DTH, spherical 90510753 9129 14
,5
7
0,5
Min.

Button bits DTH, ballistic 90510758 9130

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 115

 secoroc grinding

Bitholders for button bits

Grind Matic BQ2, Jazz and BQ Grind Matic BQ2-DTH and Manual B-DTH
Product No. Product code Down-the-hole bits Inner diameter
Product No. Product code
Threaded bits and Coprod bits bit holder, mm
Holder R25 87003475 9500-3475 COP 32 51,2 87002420 9500-2420
Holder R28 87003476 9500-3476 COP 34 54,7 87003691 9500-3691
Holder SR28 87003960 9500-3960
COP 42 65,1 87002391 9500-2391
Holder R32 87003477 9500-3477
DHD3.5 55 87004514 9500-4514
Holder SR32 87003962 9500-3962
DHD340 65,1 87002391 9500-2391
Holder SR35 87003956 9500-3956
DHD350 84,4 87002390 9500-2390
Holder R38, T38 87003478 9500-3478
Holder SR38 87003978 9500-3978 DHD360 101,7 87002389 9500-2389

Holder SR38 retrac, guide 87004081 9500-4081 DHD380 129,2 87004523 9500-4523
Holder T45 87003479 9500-3479 IR QL4 69,0 87004515 9500-4515
Holder T51 87003521 9500-3521 IR QL5 88,6 87004033 9500-4033
Holder T51 retrac 87003688 9500-3688
IR QL6 106,3 87004002 9500-4002
Tube bits
IR QL8 136,5 87004516 9500-4516
Holder ST58 87003522 9500-3522
TD90 145,9 87004516 9500-4516
Holder ST68 87003523 9500-3523
Tapered bits Mission 5315 103,5 87004519 9500-4519

Holder 7° taper 87003524 9500-3524 ODEX Ø 90 – 87002683 9500-2683

Holder 12° taper 87003525 9500-3525 ODEX Ø 115 – 87002684 9500-2684
Reaming bits ODEX Ø 140 – 87002685 9500-2685
Holder 64, 76 and 89 mm reamer 87003526 9500-3526 ODEX Ø 165 – 87002686 9500-2686
Holder 89,102 and 127 mm reamer 87003527 9500-3527
ODEX Ø 190 – 87002687 9500-2687
Guide bits
COPROD 76 48,7 87004414 9500-4414
Holder SR35 guide bit 87004056 9500-4056
COPROD 89 54,7 87003155 9500-3155
Holder R32 guide bit 87003992 9500-3992
By using the auxiliary set part 87003939 (Product No.) / 9500-3939 (Product code), COPROD 102 65,7 87004415 9500-4415
Grind Matic BQ2-DTH can also use the above bit holders for threaded bits.
COPROD 127 82,2 87002396 9500-2396
Grind Matic Manual B Grind Matic Manual B-DTH only
(for clamping device compl. 87000772 / 9500-0772 Grind Matic B)
Threaded bits* T38 – 87002148 9500-2148
Product No. Product code
Threaded bits* T45 – 87002149 9500-2149
Threaded bit
Threaded bits* T51 – 87002147 9500-2147
R25 87000792 9500-0792
Threaded bits* ST58 – 87002158 9500-2158
R28 87000793 9500-0793
R32 87001848 9500-1848 Threaded bits* ST68 – 87002154 9500-2154

R32 87000794 9500-0794

SR28 87003961 9500-3961 *Clamping device for – 87002401 9500-2401
SR35 87003957 9500-3957 threaded bits
R35 87003360 9500-3360
R38/T38 87000795 9500-0795
T45 87000796 9500-0796
T51 87000802 9500-0802
Tapered bit
with 7° taper 87001044 9500-1044
with 12° taper 87001045 9500-1045
Tube bit
ST58 87001726 9500-1726
ST68 87001573 9500-1573
Reaming bit
64, 76, 89 mm1) 87000798 9500-0798
89, 102, 127 mm 1)
87000799 9500-0799
Centring pin for bitholders 9500-0798 and
1)

9500-0799.
87001070 9500-1070

Clamping device for regrinding retrac bits 64–127

mm and TDS bits 89–152 mm (ST58, ST68) with- 87001930 9500-1930
out bitholder (to complete 87000772 / 9500-0772).

116 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 secoroc grinding

Grinding template for cross-type bits

Skivvinkel

Product No. Product code

Wheel

110°

3/32"
Cross-type bits 90002611 9102

2,4 mm
1 1/2" 1" 3/4" 1/2" 1/4"

5 1/4"
10
1/2"
15
3/4"

Ceramic grinding wheels for cross-type bits

Bit dimension Dimension (D x T x H), mm Product No. Product code
29 mm 300 x 19 x 32 87002619 9500-2619
35 mm 300 x 23 x 32 87002594 9555
38–41 mm 300 x 26 x 32 87002595 9556
43 mm 300 x 28 x 32 87002618 9579
45 mm 300 x 29 x 32 87002597 9558
48–51 mm 300 x 32 x 32 87002616 9577
57 mm 300 x 38 x 32 87002600 9561
76 mm 300 x 52 x 32 87002603 9564
Gauge grinding wheels
200 x 13 x 32 87002613 9574
200 x 32 x 32 87002615 9576

Grinding template for Integral rods

Product No. Product code
r= 80 mm 3,5/32"
110°

Integral rods 90002610 9101

1/8"
3 mm

40 30 20 10 0

5 1/4"
10
1/2"
15
3/4"

Ceramic grinding wheels for chisel bit

Dimension, mm
Grinding machine Product No. Product code
D x T x H (mm) DI x TI (mm)
Grind Matic Swing 125 x 63 x 32 80 x 50, hard 87002589 9550
” 125 x 63 x 32 80 x 50, soft 87002811 9500-2811
Grind Matic Senior 200 x 102 x 32 150 x 80, hard 87002591 9552
” 200 x 102 x 32 150 x 80, soft 87002813 9500-2813

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 117

 ROCK DRILL SPECIFICATIONS

A reliable team of efficient pusher leg drills

Atlas Copco rock drills and rock drilling tools are an
unbeatable combination of high performance and
superior reliability. The pneumatic pusher leg drills
are characterized by low spare parts consumption and
minimum maintenance requirements. They are robust
but simply designed, with high impact energy and low air
consumption. The uniform high quality of materials and
manufacturing processes contribute to the long service
life of the machines. Together with the pusher legs the
rock drills form an attractive and cost effective drilling
unit. The pneumatic telescopic and double-telescopic
pusher legs are available in a number of versions. All
are of a simple, robust design for reliable operation and
minimum maintenance requirements.

BBC 16W (Puma) RH 656W

All-round rock drill which
suits most drilling appli-
cations. It has a robust rifle
bar rotation mechanism, long
stroke and good penetration
rates in hard rock. The pusher leg control is placed at the
backhead of the rock drill. Suitable pusher legs for BBC
16W are BMHT 51-3 and 51, ALF 71-1 and 71, and ALF
67/80.
A rock drill with a very fa-
vourable relation of high
penetration/low air con-
sumption. It has a robust
rifle bar rotation mechanism
and flushing system with double concentric tubes.
The low weight makes the drill handy also as a sinker.
A T-handle can easily be fitted instead of using a
pusher leg. Suitable pusher leg is BMK 62S.

BBC 34W (Leopard) Stopers BBD 46WS/WR (Falcon)

Highly efficient rock drill for
medium to hard rock. It has
a powerful rifle bar rotation
mechanism, long stroke and
high impact energy. The
large diameter piston makes it very efficient even with
low air pressure. The pusher leg control is placed at the
backhead of the rock drill. Suitable pusher legs for BBC
34W are ALF 71-1 and 71, and ALF 67/80.
All-steel rock drills suitable for produc-
tion drilling, raise driving and bolting.
They have a robust ratchet wheel rota-
tion mechanism, short stroke and good
penetration rates in soft and medium-
hard rock. The large diameter piston
makes them very efficient even with
low air pressure. The WR version has
clockwise rotation and can be used for
nuts tightening when roof bolting.

BBD 94W (Panther) Pusher legs

High performance rock The pneumatic telescopic and double-telescopic pusher
drill for soft to hard rock. legs are available in a number of versions. All are of a
It has ratchet wheel rotation simple, robust design for reliable operation and mini-
mechanism, short stroke and mum maintenance requirements.
high impact rate. It is also
efficient at low air pressure.
The pusher leg control is placed on the pusher leg itself.
Suitable pusher legs for BBD 94W are ALF 72D-1 and
72D, and ALF 67/80D.

Description Hole Air requirement at Impact Stroke Piston Weight Length

range 6 bar frequency length bore
mm 1/s Hz mm mm kg mm
BBC 16W 27 - 40 60 39 55 70 26 710
BBC 34W 27 - 40 88 38 70 80 31 775
BBD 94W 27 - 40 97 55 45 90 27 670
RH 656W 27 - 40 48 34 60 65 22 630

Stopers
Air Rock drill Stroke Impact Rotation Feeding Length Length Feed Weight
Description consumption piston length rate rate length retracted extracted piston
at 6 bar* bore at 6 bar* at 6 bar* bore
l/s (cfm) mm mm Hz rev/sec mm mm mm mm kg
BBD 46WS-6 75 (159) 75 45 51 4.0 770 1435 2205 75 39
BBD 46WS-8 75 (159) 75 45 51 4.0 970 1650 2620 75 40
BBD 46WR-6 75 (159) 75 45 49 6.5 770 1435 2205 75 39
BBD 46WR-8 75 (159) 75 45 49 6.5 970 1650 2620 75 40

118 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 COMPLEMENTARY EQUIPMENT

VAM water separators

VAM water separators are based on the centrifugal
principle. They feature automatic discharge via a
float controlled bottom valve, and a coarse strainer
for solid particles.

Water separators, fitted with claw couplings

Description Hose Air flow Weight Ordering No.
connection
mm in l/s cfm kg lb

VAM 5A 25 1 120 254 10 22 8092 0110 82

Working pressure 10 bar (145 psi)

BLG and CLG lubricators

BLG and CLG are highly effiecient oil lubricators for No moving parts contributes to safe and trouble-
pneumatic equipment. Their simple, strong design free operation. The oil supply is easily adjusted
make the lubricators very resistant to rough handling. even during operation.

Lubricators, fitted with claw couplings

Description Hose inner Air flow Oil volume Weight Ordering No.
diameter
mm in l/s cfm l gal kg lb

CLG 30, for both

mineral and 25 1 15-140 32-300 1.3 0.3 3 6.6 8202 5102 39
synthetic oil

BLG 30, for mineral

25 1 15-140 32-300 1.3 0.3 3 6.6 8202 5102 05
oil

Max working pressure 20 bar (290 psi)

Air oil, synthetic lubricant with excellent lubrication, anti-corrosion and anti-freezing properties
Description Oil volume Weight Ordering No.

l gal kg lb

0.2 l bottle 0.2 0.04 0.24 0.53 8099 0202 40

1 l bottle 1 0.22 1.1 2.4 8099 0202 36

5 l container 5 1.1 5.8 13 8099 0202 02

25 l container 25 5.5 28 62 8099 0202 20

200 l barrel 200 44 220 485 8099 0202 28

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 119

 COMPLEMENTARY EQUIPMENT

Hoses
The Atlas Copco rubber hose is ideal for all • The Mantex flat hose is a lightweight hose,
applications and air lines in use on building and weighing only 1/3 of a conventional rubber hose.
construction sites, in mines, shipyards etc.

Round rubber, hose rolls

Description Inner Outer Max working Length Weight Ordering No.
diameter diameter pressure roll
mm in mm in bar psi m ft kg lb
Rubber hose, 30m 10 3/8 17 11/16 16 232 30 98 6.9 15.2 9030 2037 00

Rubber hose, 30m 12.5 1/2 22 5/8 16 232 30 98 12.3 27.1 9030 2038 00

Rubber hose, 30m 16 5/8 25 1 16 232 30 98 13.9 30.6 9030 2039 00

Rubber hose, 30m 20 3/4 30 13/16 16 232 30 98 19.3 42.5 9030 2040 00

Rubber hose, 20m 20 3/4 30 13/16 16 232 20 65 12.9 28.3 9030 2040 03

Rubber hose, 30m 25 1 36 15/16 16 232 30 98 24.0 52.9 9030 2041 00

Rubber hose, 20m 25 1 36 15/16 16 232 20 65 16.0 35.3 9030 2041 03

Round rubber hoses, pre-mounted hoses fitted with couplings and hose clamps
Description Inner Outer Max working Length Weight Ordering No.
for products diameter diameter pressure roll
mm in mm in bar psi m ft kg lb
Universal 12.5 1/2 22 5/8 16 232 15 49 5.9 13 9030 2045 00

Universal 20 3/4 30 13/16 16 232 15 49 7.6 16.8 9030 2049 00

Universal 25 1 36 15/16 16 232 15 49 12 26.5 9030 2050 00

Mantex flat hoses, hose rolls

Description Inner Thickness Max working Length Weight Ordering No.
diameter pressure roll
mm in mm in bar psi m ft kg lb
Lightweight hose, 60m 20 3/4 2.3 3/32 20 290 60 195 13 29 9030 2014 00

Lightweight hose, 100m 20 3/4 2.3 3/32 20 290 100 325 22 48 9030 2014 01

Lightweight hose, 200m 20 3/4 2.3 3/32 20 290 200 650 44 96 9030 2014 02

Lightweight hose, 60m 25 1 2.5 3/32 20 290 60 195 16 35 9030 2006 00

Lightweight hose, 100m 25 1 2.5 3/32 20 290 100 325 26 57 9030 2006 01

Lightweight hose, 200m 25 1 2.5 3/32 20 290 200 650 52 114 9030 2006 02

Lightweight hose, 60m 40 11/2 2.5 3/32 14 203 60 195 27 60 9030 2007 00

Lightweight hose, 60m 50 2 2.8 7/64 14 203 60 195 36 79 9030 2008 00

Lightweight hose, 40m 76 3 3.0 1/ 8 10 145 40 130 36 79 9030 2009 00

Max working pressure is calculated with safety factor 5. Burst pressure = 5 x Max working pressure

Mantex flat hoses, pre-mounted hoses with fitted couplings and hose clamps
Description Inner Thickness Max working Length Weight Ordering No.
diameter pressure roll
mm in mm in bar psi m ft kg lb

Universal 20 3/4 2.3 3/32 20 290 20 65 4.5 10 9030 2015 00

Universal 25 1 2.5 3/32 20 290 20 65 6 13 9030 2011 00

120 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 COMPLEMENTARY EQUIPMENT

Claw couplings
You will not find a better claw coupling anywhere • Hard treatment resistant
with such a low pressure drop. And its strength and • Made of galvanized drop-forged, hardened steel
life span are unsurpassed. The Atlas Copco • All couplings mate, regardless of nipple and
couplings are always easy to assemble and thread size
dismantle. They are also available with a lock nut
to provide effective, reliable sealing even under
extreme conditions.
Claw couplings
Connection Hose inner Bore Weight Ordering No.
diameter
mm in mm in kg lb
Hose nipple 6.3 1/4 5.0 3/16 0.11 0.25 9000 0308 00

Hose nipple 10.0 3/8 8.0 5/16 0.13 0.29 9000 0309 00

Hose nipple 12.5 1/2 10.5 13/32 0.14 0.31 9000 0310 00
Hose nipple 16.0 5/8 13.5 17/32 0.14 0.31 9000 0311 00

Hose nipple 20.0 3/4 17.2 11/16 0.15 0.33 9000 0312 00

Hose nipple 25.0 1 22.0 7/8 0.17 0.38 9000 0313 00

Hose nipple with lock nut 10.0 3/8 8.0 5/16 0.29 0.64 9000 0260 00

Hose nipple with lock nut 12.5 1/2 10.5 13/32 0.29 0.64 9000 0261 00
Hose nipple with lock nut 16.0 5/8 13.5 17/32 0.29 0.64 9000 0262 00

Hose nipple with lock nut 20.0 3/4 17.2 11/16 0.32 0.71 9000 0263 00

Hose nipple with lock nut 25.0 1 22.0 7/8 0.32 0.71 9000 0264 00

Claw couplings
Connection Connecting Bore Weight Ordering No.
thread
mm in kg lb
External thread G3/8A 11.3 7/16 0.11 0.25 9000 0300 00
External thread G1/2A 14.8 37/64 0.12 0.27 9000 0301 00

External thread G3/4A 19.0 3/4 0.13 0.29 9000 0302 00

External thread G1A 25.5 1 0.13 0.29 9000 0303 00

Internal thread G3/8 15.0 19/32 0.12 0.27 9000 0304 00

Internal thread G1/2 18.6 3/4 0.13 0.29 9000 0305 00

Internal thread G3/4 24.2 1 0.14 0.31 9000 0306 00

Internal thread G1 30.3 13/16 0.15 0.33 9000 0307 00

Cover 0.18 0.40 9000 0314 00

Packings and lock spring for claw couplings

Description Fit to coupling Comment Ordering No.
ordering No.
9000....
Packing 0300 00 to Can be replaced by special 9000 0000 00
0314 00 packing 9000 0000 01
Packing 0260 00 to 9000 0015 00
0262 00
Packing 0263 00 and Can be replaced by special 9000 0268 00
0264 00 packing 9000 0319 00

Lock spring Fits to all 9000 0300 00 3176 8640 00

to 9000 0314 00 couplings

Special packings can be used in max. temp +200˚C (390˚F) steam and -40˚C to +250˚C
(-40˚F to +482˚F) air. Excellent for neutral and alkaline liquids (pH above 5)

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 121

 COMPLEMENTARY EQUIPMENT

Hose couplings for rubber hose

Guide, hose couplings for round rubber hoses
Hose inner Hose Hose Hose Hose Cup nut Cup nut Connecting
diameter jointing clamp clamp nipple Wing Hexagonal nipples
mm in nipple External thread

G5/8
10 3/8 9000 0215 00 0347 6105 00 9000 0321 00 9000 0331 00
G5/8
12.5 1/2 9000 0216 00 9000 0194 00 9000 0322 00 9000 0331 00
G3/4
12.5 1 /2 9000 0323 01 9000 0337 00 9000 0332 00
G3/4 G3/4A - G3/4A
16 5/8 9000 0217 00 9000 0195 00 9000 0324 00 9000 0337 00 9000 0332 00 9000 0343 00
G7/8 G7/8A - G1A
20 3/4 9000 0218 00 9000 0196 00 9000 0325 00 9000 0338 00 9000 0333 00 9000 0345 00
G11/8 G11/8A - G1A
25 1 9000 0219 01 9000 0197 00 9000 0326 00 9000 0339 00 9000 0334 00 9000 0346 00

Guide, hose couplings with particularly coarse thread for round rubber hoses
Hose inner Hose Hose Packing Cup nut Connecting Connecting
diameter clamp nipple Wing nipples nipples
mm in External thread Internal thread

G1/2A G1/2
12.5 1/2 9000 0194 00 9000 0370 00 9000 0025 00 3) 9000 0154 00 9000 0028 00 9000 0033 00
G3/4A G3/4
20 3/4 9000 0196 00 9000 0371 00 9000 0025 00 3) 9000 0154 00 9000 0029 00 9000 0034 00
G1A G1
25 1 9000 0197 00 9000 0372 00 9000 0025 00 3)
9000 0154 00 9000 0030 00 9000 0035 00

Guide, hose couplings for Mantex flat hoses

Hose inner Hose Hose Claw Packing
diameter jointing clamp coupling
mm in nipple

20 3/4 9000 0218 00 1) 9000 0194 00 9000 0312 00 9000 0000 00 3)

25 1 9000 0219 01 1) 9000 0196 00 9000 0313 00 9000 0000 00 3)

Guide, hose couplings for Mantex flat hoses

Hose inner Hose Hose Hose Packing Cup nut Connecting Connecting
diameter jointing clamp nipple Wing nipples nipples
mm in nipple External thread Internal thread

G11/2A G11/2
40 11/2 9000 0220 00 2) 9000 0381 00 9000 0373 00 9000 0026 00 3) 9000 0159 00 9000 0031 00 9000 0036 00
G2A G2
50 2 9000 0221 00 2) 9000 0198 01 9000 0374 00 9000 0026 00 3) 9000 0159 00 9000 0332 00 9000 0037 00
G2A
76 3 9001 0045 00 2) 9000 0189 00 9001 0025 80 3176 8294 00 3) 3176 8295 00 3176 8296 00
G3A
76 3 3215 7766 00
1) 2 hose clamps per nipple needed
2) 4 hose clamps per nipple needed
3) All claw couplings and hose nipples supplied with packings

122 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

 COMPLEMENTARY EQUIPMENT

Air-powered pumps – for safe handling of liquids

under difficult conditions
DOP diaphragm pumps
DOP diaphragm pumps are designed for the most pol-
luted and viscous media, as well as highly abrasive and
inflammable fluids.
• Submersible
• Easy to start despite sedimentation
• Self-priming which means that unnecessary handling is
avoided
• Can handle large solid particles up to 30 mm in diameter.
• Can be connected in series to increase the head
• Pump housing made from aluminium alloy results in
low weight
• Easy to service – the valves are accessible for servicing
without dismantling the chambers

Both clean and polluted liquids

Pumps used for polluted liquids in the construction and
mining industries have to satisfy stringent demands for qu-
ality and reliable operation. They must be able to withstand Capacity diagram for DOP pumps at 6 bar (87 psi)
difficult conditions with regard to both the surroundings
and the media being conveyed, with a minimum of main- Delivery head
tenance. feet m
229 70
Technical data DOP 15N 196 60

Max. head 59 m 194 ft 164 50

Max. flow 7 l/s 131 40
Max air requirement 34 l/s 72 cfm
Weight 31 kg 68 lb   98 30
Height 585 mm 23 in
Length 390 mm 151/4 in   66 20
Width 330 mm 13 in
  33 10 DOP 15
Fluid outlet Air inlet flow
   0   0
Connection thread1 G 21/2 G 3/4
0   5   10   15   20   25   30 l/s
Ordering No 8492 0101 48 0 65 132 198 264 330 396 imp gal/min

Equipment DOP 15
Pos Description Included in kit, Ordering No The pumps can also be delivered as complete pump
qty systems. In addition, there are a number of optional
DOP 15N kit 8492 0101 55
1 Pump   1
equipment. The illustration shows a DOP 15N kit
plus connection parts for the lubricator.
2 Outlet hose 63 mm x 32 m
(21/2 in x 105 ft) incl. fittings      1 4950 0191 90
2 Reinforced outlet hose 63 mm x 25 m
(21/2 mm x 82 ft) incl. fittings 4950 0196 90
3 Lubricator CLG 30 for synthetic oil
(Air-oil) or mineral oil   1 8202 5102 39
4 Connection parts for lubricator CLG 30
Valve, air hose 20 mm x 3 m
(3/4 in x 10 ft) incl. fittings   9030 0500 90
5 Reinforced spiral suction hose
63 mm x 5 m (21/2 in x 16 ft)
incl. fittings and strainer 3330 0069 90
Spare parts kit for DOP 15N
(see spare parts list 9853 5492 90) 3330 0071 91
Spare parts kit for DOP 15F
(see spare parts list 9853 5492 90) 3330 0071 92

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 123

 LUBRICATION

COP OIL

The oil for Atlas Copco pneumatic

and hydraulic rock drills, and DTH
hammers that unites technology
and environment

Main features COP OIL

The development of lubricating oil for pneumatic and
hydraulic tools has been driven by the high demands on
environment and reliability. COP OIL is made of care-
fully selected components that give the highest technical
performance. COP OIL has a broad temperature range
that gives you optimum operation in the most variable
temperatures. It withstands heavy loads and protects
against wear and corrosion.
More and more users are recognising the advantages of
using environmentally adapted lubricants. In applications
where lubricant is contaminating the surroundings, the
use of environmentally adapted lubricants will therefore
be a strong coming demand. COP OIL is based on rene-
wable raw materials that are readily biodegradable.
COP OIL is specially developed for Atlas Copco pneumatic
and hydraulic rock drills and down-the-hole hammers.
• Excellent lubricating properties.
• Reduces the risk of scoring and abrasion.
• Protects against corrosion and oxidation.
• Insensitive to temperature variations. Works equally
well throughout the ambient temperature range
- 35°C to + 45°C (-31oF to +113oF).
• Adhesion and larger drop formation contribute to the
very good lubricating properties.
• Based on > 90% renewable raw materials.
• Readily biodegradable according to OECD301
Additives in the oil are:
• Approved in accordance with the German authorities
”Blue Angel”
• ”Approved” in accordance with the Swedish
authorities ”Ren Smörja”

Biodegradability according to OECD 301 Technical data COP OIL

Density, 15°C 927 kg/m³
Mineral oil Viscosity at 40°C 65 cSt
Viscosity at 100°C 13.4 cSt
Index of viscosity 215
Flash point 250ºC (482ºF)
Lowest flow temperature - 39ºC (-38ºF)
Readily biodegradable
Part number
3115 3125 00 Can 10 litres
3115 3126 00 Can pallet 48 x 10 litres
COP OIL
3115 3127 00 Drum 208 litres

10 20 28
Using Atlas Copco COP OIL ensures that you are doing your best for
both the environment and your equipment!
Number of days

124 Production Drilling in Underground Mining


Mobile Service and ROCKHOSE Workshops
For easy and convenient service of drill rigs and hydraulic hoses
When you invest in an Atlas Copco drill rig you receive a
quality product. Quality gives reliability, availability and
high productivity, which is essential to make profit.
But the quality of any machine has to be maintained in
order to give continuous high performance and good
operating economy. And that can only be achieved
through regular preventive maintenance and the use of
Genuine Parts from Atlas Copco. A service workshop
located on site or close by is the key solution to rapid
maintenance and repair routines. This is why Atlas
Copco have designed and equipped mobile workshops
to serve different servicing requirements.
Convenient service
The latest enhanced versions of the well regarded
Atlas Copco Mobile Workshop and Mobile ROCKHOSE
Workshop contain all of the equipment needed for
maintenance and increased availability of rockdrills and
drill rigs. They are housed in 20 ft ISO standard steel
containers, internally insulated and fitted with non-slip
aluminium floor plating. Each workshop container is
equipped with heating and has a complete electric and
compressed air line system for immediate connection
to external electrical and pneumatic power sources.
Basic Mobile Workshop
The container can be delivered as a Basic Mobile
Workshop without any tools or machinery for those who
wish to equip the container themselves. In this version
it has a workbench, 2.5 m long with vice and lockable
Each container has two main doors at the front that View inside fully equipped Mobile
open completely, and on one side they have a Workshop.
window with steel shutter.
General information
The containers have a base socket provided for forklift
2600
transportation. The external dimensions of the containers
are 6.0 x 2.5 x 2.6 m, and they weigh around 3 t, depending
on equipment. The mobile workshops can be delivered
for 230V/50 Hz and 380V/50 Hz, or other voltages on
request.
Production Drilling in Underground Mining 125
SERVICE WORKSHOPS
pedestal; shelves; tool-board with tool hooks; 14 m long
hose roll-up for air pressure; 17 m long, 230 V electric
cable roll-up; writing desk with lockable pedestal; powder
fire extinguisher; first aid panel; ventilation system; and
heating fan.
Mobile Workshop
The fully equipped version of the Mobile Workshop comes
complet with standard tool kit, comprising all hand tools
needed for carrying out service and repair work; 30 t hyd-
raulic press, with mandrel set; 500 kg extensible hoist beam
with manual tackle; and a smalI-part cleaning booth, with
exhaust. The Mobile Workshop can then be completed
with a number of well thought-out options of special tools,
instruments and machinery to optimize efficiency. Mobile
Workshops are suitable for installation of drill bit grinding
equipment, and the Secoroc Grind Matic Manual B air-
powered, handheld portable grinding machine can be
supplied.
Mobile ROCKHOSE Workshop
A new approach to hose maintenance is the Mobile
ROCKHOSE Workshop with the hose assembly centre,
a complete hose mounting workbench, designed to fulfil
all your needs for a safe and professional assembly of
hydraulic hoses with up to four reinforcement layers.
The centre is delivered with a hose reel, cutting machine,
peeling machine, marking machine, hose cleaning
equipment and hose press. The centre is delivered with
all the necessary accessories.
View inside fully equipped Mobile
ROCKHOSE Workshop.
2500 6000
 MARKET MATERIAL
Conversion table
This unit Times Equals
Length
mm (millimetres)...................... x 0.001......................= m
cm (centimetres)....................... x 0.01........................= m
dm (decimetres)........................ x 0.1..........................= m
km (kilometres)......................... x 1000......................= m
in (inches).................................. x 25.4........................= mm
ft (feet)....................................... x 0.305......................= m
yd (yard).................................... x 0.914......................= m
miles.......................................... x 1609.......................= m
Power
kW (kilowatts)............................ x 1000......................= W
hp (horsepower)....................... x 735.5......................= W
hp (horsepower), UK................ x 745.7......................= W
ft.lbf/sec..................................... x 1.36........................= W
Btu/h........................................... x 0.29........................= W
Volume
l (litres)....................................... x 0.001......................= m3
ml (millilitres)............................ x 0.001......................= l
dm3 (cubic decimetres)............. x 1.0..........................= l
cm3 (cubic decimetres)............. x 1.0..........................= ml
mm3 (cubic millimetres) .......... x 0.001......................= ml
in3 (cubic inches)....................... x 16.39......................= ml
ft3 (cubic feet)............................ x 28.316....................= l
Imperial gallon.......................... x 4.546......................= l
US gallon................................... x 3.785......................= l
Ounces (Imp. fluid oz).............. x 28.41......................= ml
Ounces (US fluid oz)................. x 29.57......................= ml
Pints (US liquid)........................ x 0.4732....................= l
Quarts (US liquid)..................... x 0.9463....................= l
yd3 (cubic yards)....................... x 0.7646....................= m3
Force
kN (kilonewton)......................... x 1000......................= N
kp (kilopond)............................. x 9.81........................= N
kgf (kilogramme force)............. x 9.81........................= N
Ibf (pound force)....................... x 4.45........................= N
Torque
kpm (kilopondmetres).............. x 9.81........................= Nm
Ibf in (poundforce inch) ........... x 0.11........................= Nm
Ibf ft (poundforce foot)............. x 1.36........................= Nm
Equals Divided This
  by    unit
126 Production Drilling in Underground Mining
This unit Times Equals
Mass
(weight)
g
(grammes). ............................. x 0.001.................... = kg
t (tonnes, metric)....................... x 1000.................... = kg
grains......................................... x 0.0648.................. = g
oz (ounce).................................. x 28.35.................... = g
ozt (troy ounce)......................... x 31.10.................... = g
lb (pounds)................................ x 0.4536.................. = kg
tons (long, US).......................... x 1016..................... = kg
tons (UK).................................... x 1016..................... = kg
tons (short)................................ x 907....................... = kg
Speed
km/h (kilometres/hour)............. x 0.2777.................. = m/s
m/s (metres/sec)........................ x 3.6........................ = km/h
mph (miles/hour)...................... x 0.45...................... = m/s
mph (miles/hour)...................... x 1.61...................... = km/h
ft/s (foot/second)....................... x 0.3048.................. = m/s
ft/s (foot/second)....................... x 18.29.................... = m/min
ft/s (foot/minute)....................... x 0.3048.................. = m/min
Frequency
blows/minute............................ x 0.017.................... = Hz
kHz (kiloHertz)........................... x 1000.................... = Hz
rpm (rev/minute)....................... x 0.01667................ = r/s
degrees/second......................... x 0.1667.................. = r/min
radians/second . ....................... x 0.1592.................. = r/s
Pressure
bar.............................................. x 100....................... = kPa
bar.............................................. x 100 000............... = Pa
kp/cm ........................................ x 0.98...................... = bar
2
atm (atmospheres)................... x 1.01...................... = bar
psi (pounds/in 2
)......................... x 6.895.................... = kPa
psi............................................... x 0.06895................ = bar
Area
mm2 (square mm)..................... x 0.000001............. = m2
cm2 (square cm)........................ x 0.0001................. = m2
in2 (square inches).................... x 645....................... = mm2
ft2 (square feet).......................... x 0.0929.................. = m2
yd2 (square yards)..................... x 0.8361.................. = m2
Acres ......................................... x 4047..................... = m2
Square miles............................. x 2.590.................... = km2
Equals Divided This
  by    unit
 notes

Production Drilling in Underground Mining 127

 Notes

128 Production Drilling in Underground Mining

Want peace of mind?
Visit our Master Class Support!

By launching our One-Stop-Shop, we are committed to make life simple

and business more profitable for you. Within our concept you will find
genuine parts as well as technical competence regarding your equipment.
You will become familiar with new, innovative service and logistic
solutions to enhance availability and productivity.

Interested in our Master Class Support? You are most welcome to get
more information at our local customer centres.

Committed to your superior productivity.

www.atlascopco.com
 Atlas Copco
Experience and knowledge

Production Drilling in Underground Mining

Working with Atlas Copco means working with highly productive rock drilling
solutions. What’s more, the people you work with are the best – with the ability
to listen and to understand your diverse needs. This approach requires experience
and knowledge, presence, flexibility and involvement in your processes. It means
making customer relations and service a priority.
Printed matter no. 9851 2558 01

Through interaction, innovation and a continuous drive to improve the way we

do things – we help you achieve results.

Committed to your superior productivity.

Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB

First edition 2008
2008

www.atlascopco.com www.atlascopco.com