Articles By Subject: Exploration and Production Drilling
Geologic maps online
The British Geological Survey has launched its OpenGeoscience geologic mapping services website, built on ESRI’s ArcGIS technology; the world’s first web map service built on vector data serving attributed geologic data for an entire country.SA geoscience bill 2010
South Africa’s Geoscience Amend-ment Bill 2010, tabled in Parliament, clarifies the role of the Council for GeoScience and updates terminology such as government departments.Capital mobilises rigs
Since listing in June, Capital Drilling, the emerging markets-focused drilling company, has continued to concentrate on the mobilisation of rigs...Major Drilling revenues up for Q4, but down over the year
Major Drilling’s results for its fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, ended April 30, show quarterly revenues of C$97 million; an increase of 47% from the C$66 million recorded over the same quarter of last year.Cubex beats the big freeze with Scorpion
Cubex has launched the Scorpion drill, designed specifically for a freeze hole-drilling application in a uranium mine
GeoMEM becomes UK and Ireland rep for Devico’s borehole surveyors
GeoMEM, the UK-based independent reseller of Earth Science software and borehole data-gathering and analysis software and instruments, has been appointed as the UK and Ireland representative for Devico’s borehole survey tools.
In memoriam: Joe Dobbs
Joe Dobbs, a long-time member of the British Drilling Association (BDA), died after a long period of ill health at 18.45pm on April 24. He was 71. His funeral was held on May 5 at Wilford Hill Crematorium, Nottingham.
Where sonic is making waves
GDI profiles the leading manufacturers of sonic drilling equipment and outlines their capabilitiesMcElroy socket tooling kits aim to make life simpler
US-BASED McElroy said its new socket-tooling kits are set to simplify the working lives of contractors.Atlas Copco opts for EGR/DPF system
Atlas Copco Portable Air has selected the EGR/DPF system to make its portable compressors compliant with EPA Tier 4A/EU Stage III B. The first prototype of a XRHS 366 unit was shown at Bauma.SA drill insights
The Geological Society of South Africa will present a course in Johannesburg on drilling methods and techniques in exploration and mining from July 15-16.NDA convention
Plans for the 2010 National Drilling Association convention are underway with the event due to take place September 29 to October 1 in Chesterfield, Missouri, US.Deutz engine fluid tips
To coincide with the introduction of the new Tier 4 Interim/Stage III B engine generation, Deutz is making recommendations on the choice of service fluid.Speed and accuracy score points for Newmont
Senior drill service consulting expert Denis Rousseau introduced sonic at Newmont Mining’s Minera Yanacocha gold mine in Peru almost eight years agoBoart upstages other bits
Boart Longyear has upgraded and expanded its Stage diamond coring bit line.
Diedrich sets out sonic stall
Until last year, US-based Diedrich Drill only sold its sonic head to other rig manufacturers, but then it decided to build its own sonic track rig using the knowledge it had learned from customers’ experiences, writes Diedrich Drill director Jim Lange
Greenfield exploration call
Australia’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost destinations for mineral exploration is under threat from a critical market failure.
Devico to partner Atlas Copco in SA
Norway-based Devico has signed an agent agreement with Atlas Copco, the leading supplier to the exploration-drilling market in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Bauma hit by airspace closure
Bauer Maschinen GmbH has said exhibitors and visitors alike will remember Bauma 2010 as “the Bauma under the ash cloud”.German trio honoured at Bauma for ground innovations
Innovation awards were presented on April 18 at the opening ceremony of Bauma, the construction equipment, building material and mining machinery fair held in Munich, Germany.SA geological course
The Geological Society of South Africa will present a course in Johannesburg on May 21 titled ‘Geochemistry: applications in exploration and mining’.Geosoft accolade
Geosoft was the recipient of the 2010 ESRI International Partner of the Year award.
At the core of drilling
Boart Longyear has presented innovations in drilling technology for over a century, writes Brandon Jaynes, Two Rivers MarketingWilson becomes quality engineer at C&W
DAVID Wilson, who joined Rotherham, UK-based Cutting & Wear at the end of January, is the company’s new quality and technical resource engineer.IPI ‘outperforming’ standard technology in Australia tests
INFLATABLE Packers International (IPI) says its inflatable packers have again outperformed standard technology, during coal methane well-testing operations in Queensland, Australia.Schlumberger in IT buy
Schlumberger has acquired IGEOSS, a developer of structural geology software.US defence R&D to target Earth’s properties to 5km
As part of its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will launch a US$4 million project to determine the properties of the Earth down to 5km depth.Sandvik’s Camlatch system for core barrels catching on
One of Sandvik’s latest developments is its Camlatch latching system for core barrels.New ‘tough top’ compressor from Doosan
DOOSAN Portable Power has launched a new version of the 7/41 portable compressor, which supplies 4m3/min of compressed air at 7 bar output pressure and incorporates a non-corrodible polymer canopy.Deva bearings on the up
The harsh conditions in which construction machines operate is leading to increasing use of Deva self-lubricating, maintenance-free bearings.Wind farm jack-ups
Seajacks International has entered into a contract with GustoMSC to provide the basic design package for two or more new-build wind farm installation jack-up vessels.Allison unveils enhanced transmission at Bauma
A RAFT of enhancements for US-based Allison’s 6000 Series led the producer of commercial duty, fully automatic transmissions to release a new 6620 transmission at Bauma.New geosoft software
Geosoft has released CET Grid Analysis software, developed by the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Exploration Targeting.
Prospects look brighter for Australian geoscientists
First-quarter 2010 Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) employment survey results show a dramatic turnaround in employment prospects for Australian geoscientists.
Boart Longyear launches flyable rig for explorers
BOART Longyear Ltd has released the new flyable SC11 rig, a compact and modular rig offering 5,456Nm of torque and which can manage PQ-size rods.
Consumer power
Consumables are the breadand butter of any drilling operation. Carly Lovejoy looks at some of the products on offer, as well as several recent innovations.Barriertech nets rockslides
A new geotechnical product will be introduced at Bauma by RUD-Erlau for the civil-engineering, quarrying and mining industries – the Barriertech containment system for stopping rock slides and avalanches.
MEG reports nonferrous budgets down
Metals Economics Group’s 2009 analysis shows that the planned, nonferrous exploration budgets of the 1,846 companies it covers totalled US$7.32 billion for the year – down from a record US$12.6 billion in 2008 and marking the largest one-year decline in the past two decades.
Raising one’s guard
Donald Lamont, HM principal specialist inspector at the Health & Safety Executive, outlines the UK government’s policy on rig guardingFuturetec name change
Aberdeen, Scotland-based Futuretec, which specialises in the design and manufacture of casing and completion tools for the oil, gas and geothermal industries, has changed its name to Deep Casing Tools.Peru Gold in Lima
The Peru International Gold Symposium and Exhibition, being held in Lima on May 18-20, is a key event for suppliers of exploration instrumentation, drilling equipment and supplies, geological mapping and environmental technology.P&V returns with innovations
As a regular participant at major trade fairs, Padley & Venables (P&V), which has been manufacturing tools for use in mining and construction for over 100 years, will be returning to Bauma 2010.Schlumberger-Smith
Schlumberger and Smith International have approved a definitive merger agreement in which the companies would combine in a stock-for-stock transaction.6th Geoscience event
The 6th Quadrennial Conference of the International Geoscience Education Organisation will take place on August 29 to September 3 at the University of Witwatersrand in South AfricaUK quarries overpaying
A number of UK quarrying firms are suffering from the high price of fixed energy tariffs made back in September 2008, with many paying more than 50% above the current market rate, according to power rental company Aggreko.Reverse circulation in Mali
Canada-based Cubex has sold a QXR 1120 Gen V to Boart Longyear in Mali, which can convert from production to reverse-circulation drilling to complete shallow exploration and grade control.Challenging climate hits GDI show
It is with regret, and a sense of missed opportunity, that we announce that GeoDrilling 2010, due to have taken place on April 13-14, has been postponed until next year.Major Drilling posts drop for third quarter
Major Drilling posted third-quarter revenues of C$72.5 million, down 17% from the C$87.4 million recorded for the same quarter of last year.
More exhibitors on show at GeoDrilling 2010
Exhibitors are lining up a range of new and innovative products and displaying their far-reaching capabilities at the forthcoming GeoDrilling 2010 exhibition.
DTH drilling tools extend their reach
In 2002, Atlas Copco launched the Secoroc COP 64 Gold, its most productive 6in DTH hammer ever. The company followed that up in 2004 with the Secoroc COP 54 Gold, for those who wanted the same performance in a smaller tool. Now, Atlas Copco says the family is complete with the launch of its latest model – the Secoroc COP 44 Gold.
Atlas Copco rolls out hydraulic rock drill for long-hole work
ATLAS Copco has introduced a completely new hydraulic rock drill – the COP 3060MUX – for use in underground long-hole drilling.New heights for downhole drilling
HIGH above the deep valleys and canyons of Colorado’s Piceance Basin, Frank Westcott, president of Colorado-based Native Navigation, faces a challenge. He is listening to his directional driller’s plan to navigate a new borehole through 16 other wells already spudded from the drill pad they are standing on.Atlas Copco expert guide
Atlas Copco has published Blasthole Drilling in Open Pit Mining, sharing the knowledge of its product experts and customers through 11 technical articles and nine case studies. Topics include blasting techniques in open-cut metal mines, using technology and automation on site, and ergonomics and safety.SA GEO society course
The Geological Society of South Africa will present a course on February 18-19 in Johannesburg on the subject of drilling methods in exploration and mining.Gefco training seminar
GEFCO’s Fourteenth Annual Resource Drilling Fundamental Training Seminar will be held at its facility in Enid, Oklahoma, on May 10-14. For more email intsales@gefco.com or visit www.gefco.com.
Global rig training from Atlas Copco
ATLAS Copco has launched a global training programme for its customers’ drill-rig operators, available from early January 2010, called Drill Master, which consists of three levels – bronze, silver and gold.Safer channels of communication
THE word communication, in a biological context, means an activity by one organism that changes or has the potential to change the behaviour of other organisms.
Explosive results
THE new CIRIA guidance, ‘Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): A guide for the construction industry (C681)’, has been officially available since October 2009. It is hoped that this long-awaited document will bring a consistent and objective approach to assessing the risk from unexploded ordnance, particularly that related to bombs (UXB) from World Wars I and II.Cornish Holman rock drill is focal exhibition sculpture
CORNISH mining engineer Stephen Lay, owner of the Holman Rock Drill Collection, has been approached by the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly, London, to provide archival information regarding its ‘Wild Thing’ exhibition, featuring Jacob Epstein’s Rock Drill sculpture.
Atlas Copco unveils DrillAir Open Unit for contractors
ATLAS Copco’s Portable Air division completes its DrillAir range with an Open Unit, delivering up to 727 litres/sec flow 727 litres/sec flow (1,550cfm) at 25 bar (365psi). The new DrillAir Open Units, XRVO 727 (XRVO 1550 CD 7) and XRXO 667 (XRXO 1400 CD7), offer a dedicated open-frame design for specialist applications and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) system integration.IPI SWiPS and Datalogger Flowmeter used in Israel
AUSTRALIA’S Inflatable Packers International (IPI) has supplied its Standard Wireline Packer System (SWiPS) for use on a 700m-deep investigation for a hydro-electric site at Gilboa in Israel.DMA joins Golder
Duane Miller and Associates (DMA), a firm that specialises in arctic and geotechnical engineering, based in Anchorage, has become part of the Alaska operations of Golder Associates. Considered to have the largest cold-regions geotechnical laboratory in Alaska, DMA has also developed specialised geotechnical field-exploration methods and equipment to deal with extreme arctic and subarctic conditions.Hot rocks projects facing turbulence
IN SWITZERLAND and the US, geothermal energy projects that drill deep into the Earth’s crust have encountered serious opposition from those citing concerns about earthquake risk. But, in both of these countries, the momentum for further geothermal exploration is continuing apace.Atlas Copco agrees to buy Quincy Compressors
ATLAS Copco has agreed to acquire Quincy Compressor from EnPro Industries for approximately US$190 million.Sandvik signs Cubex as underground dealer
SANDVIK Mining and Construction has entered into a dealer agreement with Canada-based Cubex to market, distribute and support its underground-mining product line, including all drills, booster/compressor packages, ancillary support components and water-pump systems.Sandvik seals submerged drilling equipment deal with Severstal
SANDVIK Mining and Construction and LLC Beresitoviy Rudnik, owned by Russian steel and mining company Severstal, have signed an agreement regarding the supply of submerged drilling equipment.
Ground-breaking trio from Fordia
A NEW matrix, designed especially for soft and abrasive ground, has been introduced on the market by Canadian manufacturer Fordia.
Testing begins on water-recycling system for Sonic rigs
THROUGHOUT the world, company CEOs and industry leaders are trying to be as environmentally responsible as possible – even in the messy world of drilling.Jon Higgins joins Eaton Geotechnics
Senior geotechnical engineer Jon Higgins has joined Eaton Geotechnics to supplement the Midlands-based company’s technical team in the wake of increasing contracts and growing enquiry levelsROBIT raising standard
Finland-based Robit is running a project to upgrade its quality system to meet the ISO9001:2008 standardMetke in Sampler deal
Australia-based Metzke has designed and fitted a complete 1200CFM Sampling System to a Cubex QXR 920 for contractor Mass Drill and BlastMD-3 shaker addresses space
M-I SWACO says its new MD-3 shale shaker provides operators with the ability to meet their solids control challenges, offshore or on, when space is at a premium but high-performance solids control is requiredWorld non-ferrous exploration budgets drop US$5.5 billion
After rising for six straight years to a 19-year record high of US$13.2 billion in 2008, estimated planned non-ferrous exploration spend for 2009 plummeted by 42% to US$7.7 billionMitchell Energy names McIver as GM
Martin McIver has been appointed as general manager of Mitchell Energy Group (MEG)BGS boasts a ‘worldfirst’ with UK map service
The British Geological Survey’s (BGS’s) OpenGeoscience is a new web service that provides free geological maps for the whole of Great Britain, images from its extensive collection of photographs and a wide range of other digital informationMajor Drilling eyes recovery as revenue climbs
Major Drilling Group International Inc has reported results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2010 ended October 31, 2009, posting quarterly revenue of C$75.5 million, down 60% from the C$191 million recorded for the same quarter last year, but up C$13 million, or 21%, from the first quarter of fiscal 2010Raspino 2010 chair of IADC
Louis Raspino, president & CEO of Pride International, has been elected as the 2010 chairman of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC)The magnetism of AC fields
The use of AC magnetic fields for the efficient drilling of lateral coal-seam gas wells, by Jamie Dorey, area supervisor of Asia Pacific Australia, and Tom Teer, marketing director of Prime HorizontalAutomation at the face
Applying full automation to the range of available face-drilling jumbos for mining has been patchy, often following the lead of the tunnelling industryHolding the reins of change
Brian Stringer, national secretary of the British Drilling Association (BDA), has been nominated for inclusion in GeoDrilling International’s Hall of Fame by Lee (Charlie) Allardyce, an NVQ assessor in land drilling who works closely with the BDAMitchell moves beyond drilling
Mitchell extends reach from drilling to global energy exploration and energy servicesDoosan delivers Rigsafe compressors for Airpac
Earlier this year, Doosan supplied a multi-million-pound fleet of new Ingersoll Rand Rigsafe portable air compressors to Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services, the oil and gas division of equipment rental group Vp plcAtlas releases DrillAir range
Atlas Copco has also introduced its DrillAir range of compressors that provide larger air volume with higher air pressure, and are used in deep drilling in oil and gas, deep foundation, and water well drillingOrbit’s early warning
Australia-based Orbit Drilling says that, time and again, it is confronted with drill crews ordering parts and equipment for various reasons
Goodbye to a gentleman geologist
A former chairman of the BDA, Dr Bill Barrett is best remembered for advancing quarry geology and its associated exploration drillingPetrobras slingshots
Petrobras is using two Herrenknecht Vertical Slingshot units of the Terra Invader 350T type in the Bahia region of northeast BrazilSandvik scale models
Sandvik Mining and Construction has opened an online shop offering scale models of its equipment, produced by Conrad in GermanyFlowserve adds life
Flowserve Corporation has announced the availability of new tungsten-carbide and thermal-spray valve-coating technologies, designed to boost cycle life and performance
NOV offers calibrated data-logging of downhole vibrations
National Oilwell Varco (NOV) has introduced the Russell Sub-Surface Systems (RSS) Downhole Data Logger; a new sensor development that records downhole drill-string vibration events, as determined by the user’s pre-set minimum thresholdSpeaker boost for show
Further top-quality speakers have confirmed their participation in the conference programme for GeoDrilling 2010, to be held next year at the East of England Showground in Peterborough, UK, on April 13-14.Industrea china gain
Australia-based Industrea has expanded its Chinese customer base with a A$3.1m gas-drainage contract for delivery of an Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT) directional drilling and methane-gas drainage system to Zhulinshan Coal Mine in Shanxi Province.John Crane and Baker Hughes seal deal
Mechanical sealings provider John Crane has signed a joint development agreement with the Hughes Christensen product line of Baker HughesCavotec expands offshore
Global engineering group Cavotec MSL is expanding its presence in the UK’s offshore energy sector with satellite office in Aberdeen
Flexit trains in Japan
Simon Williams, technical and sales support engineer at Flexit, has completed Flexit Target Inertial Navigation System (INS) training in Japan with GSC Geophysical SurveyingConnector buys t130xd
Australia-based Connector Drilling is to take delivery in December of a Schramm T130XD RotadrillGetac multi-touch first
Getac UK has claimed that its line of tablet PCs will be the first rugged computers to offer a multi-touch screen for use with or without glovesWallis gets delta 9
The latest addition to the Wallis Drilling fleet has been commissioned – a track-mounted rig in the Mantis 100 series
Ultra-buoyancy from Trelleborg
The first drill-riser buoyancy modules capable of withstanding nearly 5,000psi (350bar) pressure at 11,000ft (3,350m) below surface, have been developed and manufactured by Trelleborg Offshore in response to the demands of deepwater explorationCummins driver ships
Cummins has launched a QSL9G gas compression driver – that has 175hp (130kW) at 1,800rpm – for the oil and gas marketCoffey teams up with UK’s Virtalis
The Brazilian operation of professional services consultancy Coffey International has entered into a preliminary strategic partnership with the UK’s Virtalis, the virtual reality companyDoosan launches portable compressor
Doosan Infracore Portable Power has launched its 12/150 model, the company’s largest single-axle portable compressorAtlas adds to radio-remote rock-drill range
Atlas Copco has launched two additional rock-drill rigs with built-in radio remote control (RRC) systems: the ROC D3-01 RRC and the ROC D3-03 RRCHexagon move creates giant GPS network
Hexagon, parent company of Leica Geosystems, has entered into an agreement to acquire the Spatial Systems division of Loyola Enterprises IncLong-hole drill ships
Atlas Copco has introduced the COP 3060MUX (pictured, below) hydraulic rock drill for use in underground long-hole drillingTank and fuel cleaning
Algae-X International (AXI) has released a line of high-capacity, modular, fully-automated mobile tank-cleaning and fuel-restoration systemsSurvey aids iicorr’s probe into offshore platform caissons
Integrity, inspection and corrosion specialist iicorr has completed a study into the cause and effects of integrity problems with caissons on offshore platformsLaser scanner creates 3D map of historic mine
A laser scanning robot has been used to create a 3D model of an historic tin mine in Cornwall, UKCore values shine through
Within five months of drilling with BT rods, manufactured in North Bay, Canada, Forage Mercier reached a record depth of 7,800ft while maintaining the integrity of rod threadsWeathering the glo bal downturn
While Australia and New Zealand, in contrast to other parts of the world, benefited from a sheltered and conservative banking sector and sound underlying economy, the effects of the global recession can be seen in some drilling sectorsNear 600 delegates registered to date
Just under 600 delegates have registered to attend GeoDrilling 2010, which will be held next year at the East of England Showground in Peterborough, UK, on April 13-14.Ex-Alfred McAlpine Slate fraudsters jailed
Three former senior executives of Alfred McAlpine Slate Ltd (Welsh Slate) have received jail sentences, after admitting they deliberately overstated the company’s production and sales figures for some years.Remediation course
The Geological Society of South Africa is presenting a course on environmental and social aspects of exploration and mining on October 23 at Glen Hove Conferencing in JohannesburgSinclair Knight Merz expands strategic consulting ability in acquiring Enviros
Engineering, sciences and project-delivery firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has acquired Enviros, a multi-disciplinary sustainability, environmental and health and safety consultancy in the UKFirst BC India show
The first bC India, a Bauma Conexpo show for construction machinery, mining machines and construction vehicles, will take place on February 8-11, 2011, in MumbaiBenefits in store for UK market
Chesterfield, Derbyshire-based Drill Store UK, a source and supply company for the exploration, mining, geotechnical, site investigation and natural stone industries, has become Boart Longyear’s distributor in the UK. GDI talks to Adrian RichardsonNiton free seminars
In co-operation with Analytical Training Consultants and Thermo Scientific, Niton UK is organising two free seminars on American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice 578 (2nd Ed) and techniques in positive material identification testingLife and times of Robert Bauer
A new autobiography, Roughneckin, recounts the life and times of petroleum engineer and offshore drilling pioneer Robert BauerCapital in Mozambique
Capital Drilling has commenced operations in Mozambique at two projects in Tete Province.Top-quality speakers line up for April’s conference
The conference programme at GeoDrilling 2010 is shaping up with a number of top-quality speakers confirmed for the event, which will be held again at the East of England Showground in Peterborough on April 13-14Ausdrill and Brandrill announce proposed merger
Ausdrill and Brandrill have announced the proposed merger of their businesses, under which Ausdrill will issue shares to Brandrill shareholders in exchange for all Brandrill sharesMajor Drilling posts 64% lower quarterly revenues
Major Drilling Group International’s results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 (ended July 31, 2009) show cashflow generated from operations of C$7.6 millionTwo decades of knowing the drill
Boart Longyear is a global leader in setting health and safety standards in the drilling industry, and developing and operating Rota-Sonic drill rigsSandvik tool blasts DTH hammers off the stage
Sandvik says that throughout France and Germany, quarry managers are finding that a new ø60mm tool system for drilling holes of up to 152mm in diameter with hydraulic tophammers is offering a real alternative to air-hungry DTH hammersGerman trio team up for emissions system
Robert Bosch GmbH, Deutz AG and J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co are collaborating in the area of exhaust-gas treatment for non-road vehiclesSeaZone maps North Sea
Following an agreement with the Norwegian Hydrographic Service, SeaZone is rolling out the next stage of its global marine-mapping programmeIlmeg dust-buster
Ilmeg has launched a new dust-handling system, the BHS 100, for use in rock-drilling applications where there is a need to collect the dust in bagsAMC’s Ezee mix solution
AMC’s new EZEE PAC R is the result of 10 months of research and trials to solve inherent mixing problems when using standard, powdered polymers such as PACs and TROLsSigns of confidence return to market
A mixed bag of results from drilling equipment manufacturers around the world this month, with all recognising the challenging conditions recently experienced, but some increasingly bullish in outlook and confident that the economy is finally turning the cornerABEM’s new concept
ABEM Instrument has launched the Terrameter LS, a new concept of geo-electrical equipmentRST thermal gradients
RST’s Digital ThermArray System provides thermal-gradient data for geotechnical, geothermal and marine applicationsIADC’s wind farm fears
The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has provided comments to the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers’ response to the European Commission’s communications on offshore wind energy and maritime spatial planningCoretrack hiring
Coretrack has appointed Trevor Beazley as non-executive director. Mr Beazley is the founder and managing director of Perth-based corporate advisory firm Maiden Capital, specialising in ASX listings and capital raisings.Transboundary aquifers of the world update
The International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC) – an initiative of UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organisation – has presented an updated version of its Transboundary Aquifers map of the worldDevico core trio
Devico says three new candidates have joined the company to become specialists in directional core drillingHonorary degree for Lord Oxburgh
Scientist, academic and industrialist Lord Oxburgh of Liverpool, a former chairman of Shell UK and an internationally-renowned geologist and geophysicist, has received an honorary degree from the University of LiverpoolSwick buys Metzke duo
Australia-based Swick Mining has purchased two Metzke Sample Trailer units featuring 1,200cfm cyclones and transition, allowing operators the choice of using a riffle or cone splitterBorehole logging: Apageo offers free demo version of GeoVision
Apageo, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has enlarged its borehole logging range with new software for processing drilling data and producing geotechnical reportsReflex ACT II aids a rapid descent
Reflex Instruments has launched a new core-orientation instrument for the global drilling and exploration industries, known as the ACT II RD (rapid descent)Borehole logging: Field first shows the benefits of gravity test
Scintrex is in the final stages of the development of a borehole gravity meter for mining and geotechnical projectsDevico revamps training facility
Norway-based Devico AS, a global provider of directional core-drilling and surveying services for the mining and tunnelling industry, as well as mineral exploration and prospecting, has finished the modernisation of the company’s school in Melhus, NorwayWirth name change
Wirth Maschinen- und Bohrgeräte-Fabrik GmbH has changed its name to Aker Wirth GmbH, reflecting its change of ownership and integration into Aker SolutionsPro-Test invests in IPI CBM tools
Pro-Test Pty Ltd, a Roma, Queensland-based new entrant to the coalbed methane industry, is using equipment from Perth manufacturer Inflatable Packers International Pty Ltd, whose main clients are mining companies and other international CBM firmsBorehole logging: US-Luxembourg team offers logging probes
Mount Sopris Instruments (MSI), a US firm, and Luxembourg-based Advanced Logic Technology (ALT) have teamed up to produce a family of geophysical logging probesCastrol Offshore website offers worldwide product search
Lubrication specialist Castrol Offshore has launched an online product catalogue that enables oil and gas exploration and production customers to source lubricants and control fluids for surface production, drilling and subsea work around the worldAeromagnetic e-book
An e-book, Aeromagnetic Surveys: Principles, Practice and Interpretation, by Colin Reeves of Earthworks and published by Geosoft, is available as a free download at www.geosoft.com/knowledgeLeica DrillNav upgrade
Leica Geosystems has released Leica DrillNav Plus 3.0, a navigation and monitoring system for blasthole drillsBorehole logging: TerraPlus looks North in the rental market
Terraplus is now offering the GyroTracer North Seeking Borehole Gyro System for rental. The GyroTracer measurements are made in reference to the geographic north and they are not affected by magnetic interferenceVirtalis picks resellers
Virtalis has chosen Pacific Geomatics and Al-Moammar Information Systems as GeoVisionary resellersCoretrack CBT success
Coretrack has successfully tested the measuring and recording components of its modified Core Barrel Telemetry system in a retired ARC Energy well in Dongara, Western AustraliaAtlas’ Simba W6 C rig available for new markets
After having proven itself at LKAB, in Sweden, one of the world’s leading producers of iron-ore products, Atlas Copco is now releasing the production drilling rig Simba W6 C to the market.Coretrack confident
Coretrack says it is confident of the success of its Core Barrel Telemetry (CBT) system and conclusion of the R&D phase of its Core Level Recorder (CLR) system, despite a test conducted in late May at Dongara, Western Australia which was unable to conclude a positive result for the CBT system due to a larger-than-anticipated signal loss.Major Q4 results down
Major Drilling has reported results for its fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, ended April 30.DNV reaches milestone
DNV says a new milestone has been reached in offshore drilling with the first circular rig prepared for drilling at a water depth of almost 4,200m named at Cosco Shipyard Group’s Qidong Shipyard in Shanghai on June 28.Over 1Mt of rock blasted in road improvement scheme
Albion Drilling Group recently completed the blasting of over 330,000m3 of rock, 10,000m2 of pre-split and 2,750m of stitch drilling during phase two of the A1/N1 Newry Bypass road improvement scheme.Awards announced for GeoDrilling 2010
At GeoDrilling 2010, industry awards will be launched for the first time. The event will be held once again at the East of England Showground in Peterborough on April 13-14.Trelleborg in rebrand
The companies making up Trelleborg Offshore, which makes polymer and syntactic foam-based products for offshore environments, have been renamed.Seazone mapping sold
More than a dozen UK government departments and organisations have purchased the latest marine mapping from SeaZone, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, English Heritage, Natural England, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.Gas detector progress
Crowcon’s new IREX infra-red pellistor-replacement flammable gas detector has been proven suitable for offshore use after undergoing tests by Micropack Engineering Ltd.Atlas unveils roc T35M
Atlas Copco has launched the ROC T35M, a surface drill rig for quarry and construction drilling which combines the design concept of Atlas Copco’s former CM line with the well-tested features of the ROC family.Trolex touts low-price limit switch
Trolex has launched a new version of its Flexiprobe multi-purpose limit switch which has applications in the mining, coal and quarry industries.Micronor fields latest encoder
Micronor’s MR318 fibre-optic rotary encoder is designed specifically for use as feedback in motion control systems operating in extreme electromagnetic fields.Hydraulic pumps’ tests
Hydraulic Pumps (UK) Ltd has a new test-rig facility, so it can test pumps and motors at speeds variable from 700-2,300rpm with fluid flows to 650 litres/min and pressures to 420 bar.Soilmec’s showcase
Soilmec’s new initiative, a permanent showroom of equipment and technologies exhibited in front of its headquarters in Cesena, Italy can be visited until autumn.UCG partnership course
UCG Partnership, in association with Imperial College, London is running a training course on underground coal gasification on September 14-18 at Imperial College.JD Fett’s founder dies
John Fett passed away on July 14 at his home in Crystal Bay, Nevada. He had been battling Parkinson’s disease for seven years.Did the Earth move for you?
Scientists drilling a borehole into Iceland’s rocky crust to explore new methods of using geothermal energy have run into molten rock at a depth of 2.1km. The drill string got stuck, but the circulation of cold water through the drill string was maintained and it was pulled out.Boart is ‘best in class’ for safety
Boart Longyear has been cited as having the lowest reported lost time incident frequency rate in 2008 for all companies listed in a recent Citibank report.Boart sheds some African ops
Boart Longyear has sold some of its sub-Saharan African operations to Tranter Energy and Mining Services (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Tranter Holdings.Offshore – Gregg dives into deeper waters for seabed testing
Gregg Drilling & Testing is breaking new ground in the open seas with innovative technology to enable top-quality seabed soil testingPennsylvania probes gas leak
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection is investigating a methane leak that may have bubbled into two streams near a natural gas drilling site in Lycoming County.Sampling goes fourth
The Fourth World Conference on Sampling and Blending will take place on October 21-23 in Cape Town, South Africa.Cavotec launches blog
Engineering group Cavotec’s blog portal at blog.cavotec.com provides news on industry developments and materials on Cavotec projects.Maryland’s drill expo
The 2009 National Drilling Association Convention will take place on September 30 to October 2 at the Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City, Maryland, US.Seazone is five!
SeaZone, the marine geographic information data, software and services firm, is celebrating its fifth birthday.Cummins line epa-ready
Cummins Inc has introduced its on-highway, heavy-duty engine line-up, all ready to meet new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for the North American market.Atlas Copco cop care
Atlas Copco is launching COP Care, a full-service agreement for all of its COP hydraulic rock drills.Bauer Australia makes tracks
Drilling operations on May 8 marked the start of the third project for Bauer Resources Australia, a unit that was founded in 2008.Fordia unveils super Hero for diamond drillers
Fordia, the diamond tool manufacturer, has launched a new matrix inspired by the colours of a dark superhero – the HERO diamond bit.Coretrack goes west
Coretrack’s technical team have travelled to Dongara in Western Australia to conduct a field well test of its intermediate telemetry system to further support findings of tests undertaken in October 2008.Atlas Copco rolls out new COP 1838 duo
Atlas Copco has launched two new versions of its COP 1838 hydraulic rock drill – the 1838MUX and 1838HUX – which are intended for use in underground long-hole drilling.
Bauer takes a bow on stage
In spring 2009, construction industry specialists from more than 50 countries around the world visited Schrobenhausen, Germany, to attend the in-house exhibition of Bauer Maschinen GmbH.Major Drilling finds the times hard-going
Major Drilling says that, as expected, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 (ending March 31) proved difficult as the current economic environment impacted drilling worldwide, particularly base-metal projects.Western Lithium testing
Western Lithium Canada Corporation is drilling several core holes at its Kings Valley, Nevada, lithium property using sonic drilling to test the technology as it prepares for 2009’s drilling.Bauer in jordan link
Bauer Aktiengesellschaft has come to an agreement with the general owner of Site Group for Services and Well Drilling Ltd, Rami Wahdan Oweis, to acquire 60% of Site Group’s shares.Compressors aid repair to main Sri Lankan highway
KOREAN contractor Keangnam Enterprises is carrying out the rehabilitation of the Nittambuwa-Kandy Road project in Sri Lanka.Sandvik reliability helps Emirate’s gabbro-quarrying success
THE Emirate of Fujairah continues to be the region’s ‘bread basket’ for construction projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Wraps come off GeoDrilling 2010
The wraps have come off the next GeoDrilling show, which will be staged once again at the East of England Showground in Peterborough on April 13-14, 2010.BAM Ritchies adds Tanzania, Sri Lanka to major contract tally
BAM Ritchies is well known as the largest drilling and blasting contractor in the UK, with some 36Mt blasted in some 100 quarries nationally.UK aggregrates sector needs stimulus
THE quarrying industry has taken a bit of a hammering recently, reflected in the fact that premier UK quarrying event Hillhead, due to take place this month, suffered cancellation and has had to be rescheduled for next year.China expo’s third year
China Geo-tech 2009, the third such geological exhibition and forum based in China, will be held in Beijing on September 16-18.Skelair secures French rig supply deal to British Isles
SKELAIR International Ltd has been appointed UK and Ireland distributor for a new range of mid-sized drilling rigs made by French company EMCI.SA Geo SOCIETY events
The Geological Society of South Africa will present a course on advanced diamond drill methods in exploration and mining in Johannesburg on June 24-25. The society will also hold GeoForum 2009 on July 9-10 in Johannesburg.Multi-reflex action over a third of a century
ONE of Claes’ first ventures was to introduce the innovative but fledgling Fotobor slimline optical borehole survey instrument to a worldwide audience at the 1974 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) trade show in Toronto.Ontario drilling-safety event
AN INTERNATIONAL Drilling Safety Conference will be held at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada on July 25-26.Varel, Varco settle
Varel International Energy Services has reached a patent cross license agreement with National Oilwell Varco Inc and its ReedHycalog unit involving ReedHycalog's leached diamond cutter technology and Varel's high energy tumbling technology. The agreement was part of a larger settlement of patent infringement litigation that had been pending in Federal Court in Tyler, Texas.Mobile mapping system
A ‘plug-and-play’ mobile mapping system, which can be used on land or at sea, has been launched by eye-safe laser measurement technology specialist Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL).New Devico agents
Devico has signed a new agent in Turkey to sell its drilling and borehole surveying technology.Sandvik rotary drill pipe tubes available globally
Sandvik Mining and Construction has announced the global availability of its line of rotary drill pipe tools, giving customers the ability to purchase all products involved in the drilling process from one supplier.TEI's RDS528H replaced
TEI Rock Drills began a on March 1, 2009 programme to replace existing RDS528H rotary heads with its new RDS350 rotary head.PowerSave energy savings for compressors
Champion Compressors has launched its new PowerSave Options suite – a selection of energy-saving systems that can be factory-fitted to any compressor in the company’s range.Diamond meets tungsten in new thermally-stable polycrystalline insert
Cutting & Wear has launched a new thermally-stable polycrystalline (TSP) diamond insert called TSP-Xtreme. The insert is applied using QuickTip, a system for the application of hardfacing to downhole tools.
AuScope offers the ultimate virtual core-research library
The AuScope National Virtual Core Library (NVCL) is a research network that will offer users a detailed and high-resolution portrait of the composition and mineralogy of the top 2km of the Australian continent.New dust collector series from Ilmeg
Sweden-based Ilmeg Products AB, a manufacturer of dust control systems for the rock excavation industry, has launched a new dust collector series, the X-series.Industry open day
UK-based pump manufacturer and distributor Tomlinson Hall & Co Ltd will host an industry open day in June as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations. The company was established in 1919 as a general engineering company, and now specialises in pumps, power transmission and engineering supplies.Cuts at drill bits firms
An east Belfast, Northern Ireland, company that makes drill bits for the oil and gas industry is to make up to 90 staff redundant.Atlas Copco rolls out DrillAir range of compressors
Atlas Copco has introduced its DrillAir range of compressors that provide larger air volume with higher air pressure, and are used in deep drilling in oil and gas, deep foundation, and water well drilling.Geoforum & Congress
The Geological Society of South Africa’s Geoforum and Student Geo-Congress will be held on July 8-10 at the Mintek Conference Centre in Johannesburg.Geodrilling 2010 dates announced
Next year, April 13 to 14, has been confirmed as the date for the GeoDrilling 2010 show.Inventive Hydrock meets mine drilling challenge
Cramped conditions and off-axis/horizontal-drilling requirements are just two of the challenges that Hydrock has overcome as it carries out a major underground-drilling programmeLand-Drill on phase 2 of Games Village
Land-Drill has commenced phase two of its contract with Glasgow City Council for the 2014 Commonwealth Games athletes’ village.Åccess all areas
How web mapping means more people accessing the right information, by Dominic Jukes, geospatial channel manager, AutodeskGeosoft Russian link
Geosoft has established a joint educational collaboration with Russian scientific university Perm State and geophysical technology firm AGT Systems.Scandinavian teamwork for directional drilling
In the Finnish Lapland a deep-hole exploration project is taking place to boost Agnico-Eagle Finland’s probable reserves at depth in the Kittilä gold mineExplorer core trays go global
Sandvik Mining and Construction has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with International Mining Supplies Pty Ltd (IMS) based on the Sunshine Coast Queensland, Australia for the worldwide supply of Explorer plastic core trays and accessories.TerraPlus keeps on trucking
In creating the new TerraPlus, RUD-Erlau designers said they were thinking of a Bull Terrier because they have produced a traction chain that will bite the ground and hang on for as long as it takes.
Comacchio well-drilling rig for African charity
Comacchio srl, the well-known Italian manufacturer of drilling rigs, held a ceremony in February at its factory in Riese Pio X, in Italy.Economics pupils get real-life practice with Skelair
Three sixth form pupils from Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall, UK have been working to expand their business interests with Skelair International Ltd. The team of pupils have studied the company, met the management team and have formulated a programme of deliverables to the business.P&V back at intermat
Padley & Venables (P&V) will be returning in April to Intermat 2009, at stand C010 in hall 5B. Established over 100 years ago, P&V is a manufacturer of a wide range of tools, for use in mining and construction applications worldwide.Geosoft, golder mou
Geosoft has signed a memorandum of understanding with Golder Associates Ltd to deliver data management solutions based on Geosoft DAP server technology.Newkut rolls out new PDC cutter insert grades
Newkut Industries has launched two new grades of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter inserts, giving drill bit manufacturers and operators new options for designing and delivering high performance in oil and gas drilling.Major Drilling in ‘excellent position’
Major Drilling in ‘excellent position’ Major Drilling posted quarterly revenue of C$87.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, ended January 31, down 27% from the C$120 million recorded for the same quarter last year.Gardline undertakes African geotechnical job for Foxtrot
Foxtrot International has appointed Gardline Geosciences to undertake its latest geotechnical project off the shore of Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa.Golden Phoenix flies high at Silver Peak
A Reno, Nevada-based explorer is going it alone and making headway with its three-man drilling crewTaking the crunch out of customer financing
Conditions and criteria for accessing finance have changed considerably in recent times due to the general deterioration in the global economy, but drilling-equipment manufacturers are working hard to come up with deals to suit their customers’ pockets.Course postponed
The Geological Society of South Africa’s Bushveld platinum course has been postponed until June 17-18. For any enquiries, e-mail: events@rca.co.za.
Always finding a “better way of doing things”
GeoDrilling International’s inaugural Hall of Fame honours Richard Braithwaite for his contribution to the drilling industry. He was nominated by GeoMEM Ltd director James Tweedie, who has authored the following biography detailing Richard’s achievements
Unique new system works in Stockholm
The foundation work for a new railway bridge in Stockholm, Sweden is under way using a unique new drilling system. After testing several alternatives, the contractors settled on a system that is both effective and minimises environmental impact.Ritchies gets award for Clunie Dam work
The Clunie Dam post-tensioning contract undertaken by BAM Ritchies for client Scottish and Southern Energy has been awarded a Saltire Society/Institution of Civil Engineering Construction Commendation Award.Boart boasts versatility with Deltabase 95 rig release
BOART Longyear has released the new DeltaBase (DB) 95 drill rig for the foundation construction market, targeted at tieback and soil nail drilling applications.Ritchies finishes four-year nuclear waste programme
A ground-breaking project, leading to the recovery of nuclear waste from a shaft beneath former Scottish nuclear facility Dounreay, has been successfully completed following the production of the final report, which has been submitted to client Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL).Exploration: Ingetrol: exploration market is down but not out
Ingetrol has stressed the importance of compact exploration rigs in today’s market and says the exploration market is down, but not out.Exploration: Major tightens its belt
Francis McGuire, president and CEO of exploration-drilling contractor Major Drilling, said that during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 (ended October 31, 2008) the company saw a slowdown in certain regions and/or commodities, but was able to compensate for this with increased work in other regions and through greater productivity.Liebherr gets drilling for Duerr
A Liebherr LB 24 rotary drilling rig with kelly-drilling application has been at work in Stuttgart for client Duerr.Exploration: New record depth for CS14 core rig in China
The mining industry in China is growing rapidly to fulfil huge demand for iron ore, coal, gold, silver and other metals. The country is already a major mineral producer, and is both a consumer and world trader of its mining products.Exploraion: Drilling in a new environment: 2009 industry outlook
It will come as no surprise to those invested and employed in the mineral exploration industry, that raising funds and exploration spending has virtually disappeared. The only drill programmes currently being conducted seem to be those of companies operating on the last vestiges of previously raised flow-through funds, or those that have onerous project earn-in agreements.Exploration: Rigs galore, but contractors feel pinch
This time last year, exploration drilling was characterised by long waits for supplies of preferred equipment and a shortage of experienced personnel. Twelve months on and the global economic downturn has created a situation in which kit, and people, are no longer in short supply, but funding for exploration activities is now harder to come by.Canada: Bertram targets oil in tar sands
From central Alberta, Canada, near Fort McMurray and east, to yet unidentified places and unknown depths, is a varying layer of oil-infused sand. This stratum makes up what is known as the tar sands, or oil sands. To find the depth, thickness and extent of the tar sand, Bertram Drilling Corp of Carbon, Alberta, is using an Atlas Copco TH60 drill rig.No barrier to safety
The Canadian drilling industry experienced a tragedy last October when Dan Grieves of Hamilton, Ontario-based Determination Drilling & Soil Investigations became entangled in the augers of a CME 55 drill rig. As a result, the company is currently trying to raise awareness of the guarding of drill rigs, and general drilling safety, and has developed what it calls the Grieves Guard, which is adaptable to soil drills that use an automatic hammer for sampling.UCG undergoing a revival
Worldwide developments in underground coal gasification, by Michael Green, director, UCG PartnershipAtlas Copco launches lighting tower for outside Europe
Atlas Copco has introduced a new, dedicated lighting tower for non-European markets, featuring four 1,000kW metal halide lamps.Imdex brings together downhole R&D
Imdex Ltd created a unified, R&D department for its downhole instrumentation division in early October.Champion Compressors to open new Melbourne HQ
Australian compressed-air technology group Champion Compressors will unveil its new national headquarters at an official opening for key customers, staff, industry partners and media in February 2009.Sandvik rolls out new Tele Remote Drilling system
Sandvik has launched the latest feature for its production drills, the Tele Remote Drilling system, which enables operators to control a rig from a remote location such as a control area.New ground-engineering jobs included in SOL
The Ground Forum has announced that 19 ground-engineering job titles have been included in the new ‘Shortage Occupations List’ (SOL), which is published by the UK Government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).Atlas Copco upgrades range of compressors
Atlas Copco says newly-launched improvements to its 11-30 kW GA+/GA VSD compressor range have resulted in world-class, free-air delivery.Selecting the right grease for rolling bearings
More than 40% of all premature failures of rolling bearings are caused by the inadequate or incorrect selection of lubricant, according to Schaeffler (UK) Ltd.UK engineering skills could pay dividends at Brazilian gold mine
THE drilling expertise of two engineers from UK specialist drilling company Hydrock has presented the company with a golden opportunity in Brazil.A guide to the unseen hazards of ground gas
Ground gas is often dismissed as a low risk due to its ubiquitous presence in small quantities below many development sites.Rack and pinion proves its worth in shallow operations
OIL and gas prices have driven modern manufacturers to produce technologies that can cope with the ever-growing demand for equipment that can meet the challenges of conducting exploration into areas that were once seen as having little possibility of any positive returns.P&H advances heavy rigs
P&H Mining Equipment has produced its most advanced, heavy-duty mining production drill yet, the 320XPC. A total of five 320XPCs are now working at iron ore and copper mines in North America and South America.Varel offers ‘High Energy’ bits
Varel International, supplier of drill bits for the oil and gas industry, has launched a new ‘High Energy’ series of roller-cone insert bits.Sandvik GT60s boost life and penetration
Longer life, higher penetration rates and cleaner holes are among the benefits of a new generation of Sandvik GT60 button bits called RT300, according to the manufacturer.India uses CBM to fuel energy gap
India is an industrial powerhouse that consumes 140,000MW of electricity per year, approximately 55% of which is thermal-based and derived from coal.‘Target Zero’ action plan to launch at Hillhead 09
A ‘Target Zero’ action-plan package will be launched by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive on June 23 next year at Hillhead 2009.
Boart reduces sales forecasts in global economic decline
IN LIGHT of unprecedented developments in global economies that have recently occurred, Boart Longyear has cut sales guidance for the year to December 31 due to currency declines, and announced plans to lay off 150 people.Site Search
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