3. Objectiveis to present the earlier work done to tackle
the challenges which require access to deeply situated
ore bodies
by introducing alternative vertical/near vertical
drilling/excavation technologies to gain access an
orebody
aimingto stimulate the technology transfer
opportunities in the mining industry
3
4. DebTech, A division of DeBeers Group Services, South Africa
Dr. Rudiger Kogler, Directional Drilling Consultant, Germany
Herrenknecht, Tunneling Systems, Germany
Navigational Drilling Services, South Africa
Transco Manufacturing Co, Australia
4
5. DebTech Mining Research team were tasked to find viable technical
solutions to some of the exploration and mining challenges in DeBeers
group operations. [ 1997-2007]
Targets were;
Deep seated alluvial diamond deposits (e.g. Megaladon,
Namaqualand Mines, South Africa)
Flat lying kimberlites (e.g. Fort A La Corne, Canada)
Deposits lying under inaccessable terrains (e.g. swamps, rivers etc)
or some other reasons (e.g. working open pit, Venetia)
5
25. Analogy used to compare
The vertical and horizontal
Exploration systems in
A flat lying deposit
Which famous painting
We are sampling?
Can you guess?
27. Cost Comparison
Total Cost Comparison for a km2 area
160,000,000
140,000,000
Total Drilling Cost (R)
120,000,000
100,000,000
80,000,000
60,000,000
40,000,000
20,000,000
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Overburden Depth (m)
Total sample volume is the same for both methods - 3,500 m3/km2
28. Advantages of DD in Exploration
• Less Cost per Unit Sample
• Less Time to explore –Instead of punching holes, sampling
through the strata
• Minimal Disturbance to Environment, remote single entry and
exit site
• Continuous Representation of The Geology- attacking any
angle planned – not limited to vertical
• Higher confidence in resource models
• Flexibility of deployment
29. Easy Pipe Technology
• Easy Pipe Technology is one of the large-scale drilling
techniques developed for bulk sampling of buried kimberlitic and
deep alluvial diamond orebodies
• Objective was to shorten the advanced exploration/bulk sampling
and resource development time
29
31. Conclusions
• There are alternative ways to access and extract an orebody for
exploration or mining
• Technology transfer from other industries (e.g. aeronautics,
petroleum and civil industry) present valuable potential
• Environmental and safety benefits of such new technologies need to
be emphasized
• Mining Concept and Pre-feasibility studies should welcome such
opportunities for improvement
31