Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
  • E21B21/06—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
  • E21B21/063—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by separating components
  • E21B21/065—Separating solids from drilling fluids
  • E21B21/066—Separating solids from drilling fluids with further treatment of the solids, e.g. for disposal
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
  • E21B49/02—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells by mechanically taking samples of the soil
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
  • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
  • G01N1/04—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/24—Earth materials

Definitions

• a system and method are disclosed for in situ sampling and analysis of a mineral body. Also disclosed is a drill rig with an in situ sampling and analysing system and a method of controlling a drilling system enabling elemental composition analysis of a body being drilled by the drill rig.
• assaying Prior to, or during, the mining of a mineral body, it is critical to assay the mineral to maximise the profit from the mineral body.
• assaying may be performed on samples of cuttings produced by the drilling of the blast holes.
• One method of collecting samples of drill cuttings from a blast hole is to initially place a pie tray adjacent to a location where a blast hole is to be drilled so that as the drill cuts through the ground, a portion of the cuttings deposit onto the tray.
• the cuttings are collected and sent to a laboratory for assaying.
• a technician armed with a shovel and sample bags will, after a bench has been drilled, scoop samples of cuttings from the ground and place them in a bag. A separate bag is used for each blast hole. The bagged cuttings are then sent to a laboratory for assaying.
• a mine planner will plan an appropriate blasting sequence and removal strategy for the fractured bench to maximise ore production.
• the time taken between initial collection of drill cutting samples and the mine planner making appropriate decisions for the mining of the bench is typically between five to seven days.
• an in-situ sampling and analysis system for a drill rig operable to drill a hole in the ground comprising:
• a frame carrying equipment capable of sampling and analysing drill cuttings produced by operation of the drill, the frame being coupled to the drill rig and movable between an operational position for facilitating the equipment acquiring samples of the drill cuttings and conducting an elemental analysis of the drill cuttings, and a retracted position where the frame is elevated with respect to the operational position.
• the equipment may further comprise an elemental analysis device supported on a vibration isolation system mounted on the frame.
• the elemental analysis device may comprise a conveyor arranged to pass a sample of the cuttings past an analysis zone of the elemental analysis device.
• the in-situ sampling and analysis system may comprise a sample splitter which receives drill cuttings transported by the drill cuttings handling system, continuously splits the cuttings into two or more samples, and continuously delivers one of the samples to the conveyor.
• the in-situ sampling and analysis system may be arranged to dump remaining samples of the cuttings.
• the in-situ sampling and analysis system may be arranged to store at least one of remaining samples of the cuttings.
• the in-situ sampling and analysis system may comprise a controller operatively coupled with the drill and the equipment capable of sampling and analysing drill cuttings, said controller configured to associate elemental analysis of the drill cuttings with hole depth.
• the controller may be arranged to control one or both of: a rate of penetration of the drill into the ground; and, a rate of transport of the cuttings by the drill cuttings handling system, to maintain a substantially constant volume of cuttings being presented to the equipment capable of elemental analysis.
• the in-situ sampling and analysis system may comprise a lifting system coupled between the drill rig and the frame and operable for moving the frame relative to the drill rig between the operational and retracted positions.
• a drilling system comprising:
• a drill rig operable to drill a hole in the ground
• the drill rig may comprise a drill deck supporting a drill tower operable to provide torque, and hold down and pull up forces to the drill, the deck being provided with an opening arranged to accommodate the equipment capable of sampling and analysing drill cuttings when the frame is in the retracted position.
• the drilling system may comprise a prime mover which supports the drill rig and is operable to transport the drill rig between a plurality of drilling locations.
• a drilling system comprising:
• a drill rig having a drill deck and a drill operable to drill a hole in the ground through the deck, the deck being provided with an opening;
• an in-situ sampling and analysis system supported by the deck and comprising a frame carrying equipment capable of sampling and analysing drill cuttings produced by operation of the drill, the frame being movable between an operational position where the equipment is capable of acquiring samples of the drill cuttings and conducting an elemental analysis of the drill cuttings, and a retracted position where the frame is elevated with respect to the operational position and the equipment is accommodated within the opening.
• the equipment may comprise a drill cuttings handling system arranged relative to the drill wherein when the frame is in the operational position a portion of the drill cuttings handling system lies in a position where drill cuttings produced by the drill are autonomously loaded in or on the drill cuttings handling system.
• the equipment may comprise a drill cuttings handling system arranged relative to the drill wherein when the frame is in the operational position a portion of the drill cuttings handling system lies in a position where drill cuttings produced by the drill are autonomously loaded in or on the drill cuttings handling system.
• the equipment may further comprise an elemental analysis device supported on a vibration isolation system mounted on the frame.
• the elemental analysis device may comprise a conveyor arranged to pass a sample of the cuttings past an analysis zone of the elemental analysis device.
• the drilling system may comprise a sample splitter which receives drill cuttings transported by the drill cuttings handling system, continuously splits the cuttings into two or more samples, and continuously delivers one of the samples to the conveyor.
• the drilling system may be arranged to dump remaining samples of the cuttings.
• the drilling system may be arranged to store at least one of remaining samples of the cuttings.
• the drilling system may comprise a controller operatively coupled with the drill and the equipment capable of sampling and analysing drill cuttings, said controller configured to associate elemental analysis of the drill cuttings with hole depth.
• the controller is arranged to control one or both of: a rate of penetration of the drill into the ground; and, a rate of transport of the cuttings by the drill cuttings handling system, to maintain a substantially constant volume of cuttings being presented to the equipment capable of elemental analysis.
• the drilling system may comprise a lifting system coupled between the drill rig and the frame and operable for moving the frame relative to the drill rig between the operational and retracted positions.
• the drilling system may comprise a prime mover which supports the drill rig and is operable to transport the drill rig between a plurality of drilling locations.
• the method may comprise:
• Operating the drill to drill a hole and the in-situ sampling and analysis system to determine the elemental composition of the drill cuttings may comprise:
• transporting drill cuttings to the in-situ elemental analysis device; and, associating the elemental analysis of the drill cuttings with hole depth comprises: synchronizing a rate of penetration of the drill into the ground with a rate of transport of the cuttings to the in-situ elemental analysis device.
• the method may comprise:
• the method may comprise: operating the in-situ sampling and analysis system to discard an initial volume of drill cutting related to drilling of a collar of the hole.
• Operating the in-situ sampling and analysis system comprises forming an analysis sample of the drill cuttings produced by the drill and conducting an elemental analysis on the analysis sample of drill cuttings.
• Forming the analysis sample may comprise continuously splitting the drill cuttings into the analysis sample and one or more further samples.
• the method may comprise dumping each of the further samples from the frame.
• the method may further comprise storing one of the further samples.
• the method may comprise:
• the method may comprise: increasing speed of a drill cuttings handling system of the in-situ sampling and analysis system when the drill is drilling the sub drill depth.
• the method may comprise performing a cleaning cycle of the in-situ sampling and analysis system in which all cuttings on or in the in-situ sampling and analysis system are dumped to the ground prior to moving the frame to the retracted position.
• a drilling system having a ground drill, a drill cuttings handling system and an elemental analysis system, the method comprising:
• the method comprises prior to operating the drill, automatically positioning the drill cuttings handling system at a collection location where drill cuttings produced by the drill are able to be transferred by the drill cuttings handling system to the elemental analysis system.
• the method comprises operating the drill to drill a hole form ground level to a first depth prior to enabling the drill cuttings handling system to transfer drill cuttings to the mineral analysis system. In one embodiment the method comprises transferring drill cuttings to the mineral analysis system while the drill progressively drills from the first depth to a target depth.
• the method comprises: sensing a rate of penetration of the drill into the ground; and, maintaining a predetermined range of throughput of drill cuttings through the elemental analysis system as a function of the sensed penetration rate.
• the method comprises: providing the drill cuttings handling system with a first conveyor operable to transfer drill cuttings from adjacent the drill to a discharge location from which drill cuttings are provided for the mineral analysis system; and wherein maintaining a predetermined range of throughput of drill cuttings comprises controlling operation of the first conveyor.
• the method comprises: providing the elemental analysis system with a second conveyor operable to convey drill cuttings discharged from the first conveyor to an analysis location of the mineral analysis system, and wherein maintaining a predetermined range of throughput of drill cuttings comprises controlling operation of one or both of the first conveyor and the second conveyor.
• the method comprises: splitting the drill cuttings discharged at the discharge location into a two or more sample streams and delivering one of the sample streams to the second conveyor.
• automatically positioning the drill cuttings handling system comprises lowering the first conveyor from an elevated position where a foot of the first conveyor is adjacent a location where a cone of drill cuttings is produced by operation of the drill.
• the method comprises: operating the first conveyor and the second conveyor to run after commencement of operation of the drill; blocking the passage of drill cuttings to the foot of the first conveyor while the drill drills from the ground level to the to the first depth; and, allowing passage of drill cuttings to the foot of the foot of the first conveyor while the drill progressively drills from the first depth to the second depth.
• the method comprises monitoring the operation of the drill and in the event of a malfunction in operation of the drill while drilling between the first depth and the target depth, pausing operation of the drill cuttings handling system and the elemental analysis system.
• the method comprises monitoring for a resumption in the operation of the drill following a malfunction and upon detecting the resumption, automatically resuming operation of the drill cuttings handling system and the elemental analysis system.
• a sledge coupled by a vibration damping system to the frame wherein equipment supported on the sledge is substantially isolated from vibrations generated by operation of the drill;
• a lifting system arranged to couple the frame to the drill deck, the lifting system operable to vary the elevation of the frame relative to the drill deck.
• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an in-situ drill cutting sampling and analysis system illustrating a frame of a drill rig of the system in an operational position;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the system as shown in Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is a front view of the system in an operational position
• Figure 4 is a front view of the system in a transport position
• Figure 5 is a plan view of a drill platform of the system and the frame;
• Figure 6 is a view from one side of the frame
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of sample analysis equipment of the system which is supported on the frame;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view from one angle of the frame in its operational position
• Figure 9 is a perspective view from an alternate angle of the frame in its operational position
• Figure 10 is a further perspective view of the frame together with a portion of the drill platform.
• Figure 1 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of operating and/or controlling a drilling system.
• Embodiments of the system and method are described in the context of a mobile drill rig of the type used for the production of blast holes for the mining of mineral ores. However embodiments are not limited to such application and may be used in connection with other drilling activities such as land based exploration drilling and geological surveying.
• embodiments of the present invention provide for an in-situ sampling and analysis system that is coupled with or supported by a drill rig.
• the system incorporates a frame which carries equipment capable of sampling and analysing drill cuttings produced during drilling. This equipment may include for example a conveyor or drill cutting handling system and an emission spectrometer.
• the frame is associated with the drill rig and moveable to an operational position which facilitates the equipment acquiring samples of the drill cuttings and conducting an elemental analysis of the cuttings.
• the frame Prior to the drill rig being trammed or otherwise moved to the desired location for drilling of a further hole, the frame is elevated with respect to the operational position to retract the equipment from ground level. It is common for mobile drill rigs to comprise drill platforms with hydraulically adjustable legs that enable the level and disposition of the platform relative to the ground to be varied.
• Embodiments of the in-situ sampling and analysis system are able to be moved by virtue of the frame relative to and independent of the drill rig and associated drill rig platform. As described in more detail below, embodiments of the present invention enable the sampling of drill cuttings and thus a determination of the composition of a mineral body in which a hole is being drilled, in real time simultaneously with the drilling.
• the in-situ sampling and analysis system is provided with a damping system to isolate the analysis equipment from vibrations that ordinarily occur during the operation of a drill rig.
• drill cuttings are transported from the ground to the analysis equipment via a continuous splitter to provide two or more continuous sample streams.
• One sample stream is passed to the analysis equipment while another sample stream is either dumped to the ground or can be stored for example in bags for reference purposes or later offsite analysis.
• the sample stream which passes through the analysis equipment is subsequently dumped to the ground. This together with any portion of the other sample which is dumped to the ground may later be used for stemming the drilled hole.
• FIGS 1 - 6 depict a representation of a drilling system 10 which comprises a drill rig 12 and an embodiment of an in-situ sampling and analysis system 14.
• the in-situ sampling and analysis system will be referred to as "ISAS 14".
• Drill rig 12 comprises a drill deck 16 supporting a drill tower 18.
• Drill tower 18 in turn supports a rotation head (not shown) which provides torque to a drill string 20.
• Hydraulic cylinders (not shown) are associated with drill tower 18 to provide hold down and pull up forces to the drill string 20 via the rotation head.
• drill rig 12 is a mobile rig being provided with a pair of tracks 22 enabling the rig 12 to be trammed or otherwise driven to the required drilling locations.
• a power pack (not shown) provides operational power to the tracks 22 as well as the tower 18 and ISAS 14.
• Rig 12 is also provided with hydraulic legs (i.e. rams) 24 coupled to deck 16 and operable to level and stabilise rig 12 prior to the commencement of drilling. Legs 24 can be individually operated to level the deck 16 in the horizontal plane as well as vary the height of the deck 16 above the ground. When the legs 24 are deployed to place the rig 12 in an operational position, tracks 22 are ordinarily lifted from the ground as shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 6.
• the ISAS 14 comprises a number of interacting devices, components and systems including a frame (which may also be considered to be a "platform") 26 together with a drill cuttings handling system 28 and an elemental analysis device 30 both supported on the frame 26.
• Frame 26 is coupled to deck 16 by a lifting system 32 which comprises hydraulic rams 34.
• Deck 16 is provided with an opening surrounded by a fence 36 (see Figure 10).
• a cylinder of each ram 34 is attached to deck 16 about the opening with the pistons of rams 34 being attached to the frame 26.
• Rams 34 can be operated to lower frame 26 between an operational position shown in Figures 1 and 3 where the cuttings handling system 28 can acquire drill cuttings and transport them to the analysis device 30 (hereinafter "analyser 30") to conduct an elemental analysis of the drill cuttings; and, a retracted position as shown for example in Figure 4 where the frame 26 is elevated with respect to the operational position.
• the frame 26 is placed in the retracted position when the rig 12 is being trammed to a drilling location. Also as shown in Figure 10, when frame 26 is in the retracted position, the equipment supported on frame 26 is accommodated within the opening of deck 16 surrounded by fence 36.
• the handling system 28 may be any device that is able to transport drill cuttings to the analysis device 30.
• the handling system 28 may be in the form of a conveyor, an auger, or an airlift/vacuum system.
• the cutting handling system 28 is in the form of a belt conveyor having a foot 29 extending in a horizontal plane and a contiguous inclined portion 31. When the handling system 28 is in the operational position, foot 29 lies adjacent to drill 20 so that cuttings produced by operation of the drill 20 can fall onto the foot 29 and be subsequently conveyed along the inclined portion 31 toward the analyser 30.
• handling system 28 is provided with a cover 33 disposed above the foot 29 that can be selectively opened and closed.
• cover 33 When the cover 33 is closed cuttings produced by operation of the drill 20 are directed away from and cannot fall onto the foot 29 and therefore are not transported or otherwise conveyed to the analyser 30. However when the cover 33 is open, cuttings falling onto the foot 31 can be transported to the analyser 30.
• the handling system 28 is placed in the operational position prior to commencement of the drill 20.
• the drill 20 when initially operated drills a collar of the hole.
• the collar is a first portion of the hole from ground level to a first depth for example 1 to 2 meters which is often discarded for the purposes of analysis.
• the drill cuttings typically form a cone about a drill 20.
• the cover 33 is formed with a central ridge and sloping sides. To discard the cuttings from the collar the cover 33 is closed. Thus these cuttings fall onto the cover 33 and by action of gravity simply slide off without falling onto the foot 29.
• an actuator operates to open the cover 33 allowing further cuttings to fall onto the foot 29 to be transported along the foot 29 and inclined portion 31 to the analyser 30.
• any type of analyser may be used which is capable of automation.
• examples of such devices include a laser induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS); an XRF, XRD, NIR or NQR analyser; spark induced breakdown spectrometer; natural gamma; magnetic
• Analyser 30 includes a conveyor 38 which transports a sample of drill cuttings past an analysis zone of analyser 30.
• Analyser 30, conveyor 38 and associated equipment are supported on a vibration isolation system 40.
• the system 40 comprises a base frame 42 mounted on a plurality of dampers 44 (see in particular Figures 7 and 10) which in turn are connected to frame 26.
• Analyser 30, conveyor 38 and associated equipment are supported on the base frame 42. This provides isolation from vibrations that ordinarily occur during operation of the drill 20.
• the handling system 28 whilst supported by frame 26 is not mounted on vibration system 40. Further, ISAS 14 and in particular handling system 28 are arranged and structured so that when frame 26 is in the operational position the cuttings produced by drill 20 can be autonomously loaded in or onto the system 28.
• a sample splitter 48 is supported on frame 26 to receive drill cuttings falling from downstream end 50 of handling system 28.
• Splitter 48 operates to produce two or more continuous sample streams of drill cuttings.
• One sample stream is directed to a feed chute 52 and through a levelling device 54 onto conveyor 38 for elemental analysis by analyser 30. Once this portion of the sample is transported past the analysis zone of analyser 30, it falls off a downstream end onto the ground.
• the remaining sample stream(s) may be dumped directly to the ground from the splitter 48. Alternately the remaining sample stream(s) or at least a portion thereof may be captured and stored for example in bags or other contains for reference purposes and/or later offsite analysis.
• ISAS 14 also comprises a controller typically in the form of a computer or processor which is operatively associated with drill rig 12/drill 20, the handling system 28 and analyser 30 to associate the elemental analysis of the drill cuttings with hole depth.
• the analysis of the elemental composition of the cuttings can be tied to the depth in the hole from which the cuttings are derived. This enables a stratified or three dimensional model to be generated of the elemental composition of the mineral body being drilled.
• the controller is arranged to provide a substantially constant volume of drill cuttings being presented to the analyser 30. This control can be exercised by control of one or a combination of: rate of penetration of drill 20 into the ground; rate of transport of drill cuttings by handling system 28; control of splitter 48; and speed of conveyor 38.
• the controller may be placed either on frame 26 and in particular the vibration system 40 or otherwise located on another portion of the drilling system 10. Communication between the controller and drill 12/drill 20, handling system 28 and analyser 30 may be by wire, radio or other known communication medium.
• a method 100 of operating or controlling the drilling system 10 and ISAS 14 is illustrated in Figure 1 1 .
• An initial step 102 in the method 100 is to start the rig 12.
• this step may be realised by simply turning a key to effect ignition of an engine or motor of the rig 12.
• the rig may be fully automated and controlled remotely in which case step 102 can be performed either by a person at the remote location using telecommunications network to remotely operate /drive the rig 12 or by a computer at the remote which is programmed start and control the rig 12.
• the rig 12 may be provided with a computer which operates on a stored program providing geographic co-ordinates as to locations for the drilling of blast holes.
• the stored program can be uploaded from the remote location for subsequent download to a storage device on the rig 12. This obviates the need for a person to be physically on the rig 12 while the rig is in operation performing the method 100.
• the rig 12 is trammed on its tracks 22 to a proposed blast hole site.
• the drill tower 18 In order to drill a blast hole, the drill tower 18 must be in a raised position.
• an enquiry is made to determine whether or not the tower 18 is raised. In the event that it is not raised then at step 108 an actuator on a rig is operated to raise the tower.
• the ISAS 14 is enabled at step 1 10 and the analyser 30 is enabled at step 1 12.
• Enabling of the ISAS14 provides operating power to the various devices components and systems of the ISAS 14 including the frame 24 and handling system 28.
• Subsequent to its enabling the analyser 30 automatically commences a start up and calibration routine (step 1 14).
• step 1 14 the analyser 30 undergoes self checks and calibration to ensure that it is ready to conduct analysis of the material presented thereto.
• step 1 16 an enquiry is made as to whether or not the analyser 30 is ready to commence analysing ore samples. Steps 1 14 and 1 16 continually cycle until at step 1 16 is determined that the analyser 30 is ready to commence elemental analysis.
• the method 100 proceeds to step 1 18 where the frame 36 is lowered to its operational position. This involves operating the lifting system 32 to provide hydraulic fluid extend the pistons of the ram 16 and thus lower the frame 26 to the operational position where the foot 29 is on the ground and adjacent to the drill 20.
• a routine is operated at step 120 to check that the frame 26 has been lowered to the operational position. Steps 1 18 and 120 continually cycle until it is determined that the frame 36 has reached the operational position. At this position, the cover 33 of the foot 29 is closed.
• step 122 the drill 20 is operated to commence drilling a hole.
• the conveyor of handling system 28 is operated to run at a rate proportional to the rate of penetration of the drill 20. Further, at step 126 the conveyor 38 is operated to run at a rate proportional to the penetration rate of drill 20. However at this point in time no cuttings are deposited in or on the handling system 28 as the cover 33 on the foot 29 is closed.
• the drill 20 When the drill 20 commences operation at step 122, it initially drills a collar of the hole. This is represented at step 128.
• the collar depth can be varying depending on the condition and characteristics of the mineral body in which drilling is performed.
• Sensors on the rig 12 monitor the depth of the hole and thus the collar being drilled.
• a comparison is made between the sensed hole depth from ground level and the desired collar depth. Steps 128 and 130 cycle until the desired collar depth has been reached.
• method 100 proceeds to step 132 where the cover 33 on foot 29 is opened to allow drill cuttings produced by the drill 20 to fall into or otherwise on the conveyor of the handling system 28. Concurrent with the step 132, the method 100 also commences a drilling routine 134 and an interrelated analysis routine 136.
• the drilling routine 134 involves a controller controlling and monitoring the drill 20 while the analysis routine 136 relates to operating and controlling of the analyser 30.
• the two routines 134 and 136 are interrelated because the operation of the drill 20 effects the operation of both the analyser 30 and the handling device 28.
• Drilling routine 134 comprises a monitoring step 137 which monitors the drill 20 for bogging. In the event that that bogging of the drill is detected, sampling of cuttings is paused at step 138 by closing the cover 33 on the foot 29. Step 139 in the method 100 monitors for the hole being cleared subsequent to being bogged. If at step 137 it is determined that the drill is bogged, the foot 29 is closed and remains closed until monitoring step 139 determined that the hole is cleared. In the event that monitoring step 139 determines that the hole is being cleared, method 100 performs a step 150 of resuming sampling by opening the cover 33 of the foot 29. Drilling routine 134 also includes a step 140 of monitoring the rate of penetration of the drill 20.
• method 100 performs steps 142 and 144 which change the speed of the handling system 28 and the conveyor 38 respectively.
• the change in speed is proportional to the change in rate of drill penetration. The reason for this is to maintain correlation between hole depth and elemental analysis of the drill cuttings. If the analyser 30 operates at a fixed sampling rate (for example every 100 th of a second) and the drill 20 penetrates into the ground at a fixed rate then assuming the handling system 28 and conveyor 38 operate at a constant speed the cuttings presented for analysis every 100 th of a second will most likely be extracted from the hole at a fixed incremental increased depth to the previous analysed sample. However if the penetration rate of the drill 20 changes and the speed of handling system and conveyor 38 remain constant then correlation between the elemental analysis of excessive samples and their hole depth will be lost.
• the monitoring steps 137 and 140 continuously loop while the drill 20 is operating to drill to its target depth.
• the drilling routine 134 also includes a step 146 of monitors for the drill 20 reaching its target depth. The monitoring step 146 continually cycles until the target depth has been reached.
• the analysis routine 136 comprises an initial step 152 of monitoring whether sampling has been paused. As previously described, sampling is paused in the event that monitoring step 137 concludes that the drill is bogged. In the event that step 152 concludes sampling has been paused, then the method 100 proceeds to a step 154 of pausing the conveyor 30. The steps 152 and 154 cycle until at step 152 it is determined that sampling is not paused. This may occur either by virtue of the sampling not being paused in a first instance, or after being paused a determination is made at step 148 that the hole is cleared and sampling is resumed at step 150.
• a further monitoring step 156 is performed in which a determination is made as to whether there are sufficient drill cuttings on the conveyor 38 to enable elemental analysis to occur.
• method 100 proceeds to step 158 which stalls the analyser 30 from conducting an elemental analysis while maintaining operation of the conveyor 38 to present further drill cuttings or analysis.
• the steps 156 and 158 continually loop until at monitoring step 156 it is determined that there are sufficient drill cuttings to enable analyser 30 to reliably operate at step 160 to conduct an elemental analysis.
• the results of the elemental analysis are recorded together with data relating to the operation of the drill 20 and in particular the depth the hole from which the drill cuttings undergoing elemental analysis were extracted.
• the drilling routine 136 continues until the monitoring step 146 determines that the drill 20 has reached its target depth. At that time method 100 progresses to step 164 which involves closing the foot 29 of handling system 28 and commencing a cleaning sequence.
• the cleaning sequence cleans drill cuttings and other debris from the handling system 28, splitter 48, and conveyor 48.
• the cleaning sequence comprises a monitoring step 166 and a cleaning step 168.
• the monitoring step 166 simply monitors for the completion of cleaning.
• the cleaning step 168 involves running the handling system 28, conveyor 38 and splitter 48 to discharge drill cuttings and other particles that may further involve the spraying of various surfaces with compressed air.
• the analyser 30 is stopped at step 170 and disabled.
• method 100 proceeds to step 172 of lifting the frame 36 from the ground. This step occurs even though drill 20 may continue to operate to sub drill the hole. Sub drilling may be desired to assist in preparation of the next bench.
• Method 100 at step 174 continually monitors for completion of the drilling of the hole. When it is determined that the hole is completed method 100 proceeds to a step 176 of monitoring the frame 36 to determine whether or not it is in the transport position. The monitoring step 176 and lifting step 172 continually cycle via the monitoring step 174 in the event that step 174 determines that the hole has been completed.
• step 178 in which the drill is withdrawn from the hole and the rig 12 is trammed to the next hole to recommence the entirety of the method 100.
• the tramming is effect by remote control.
• all of the steps in method 12 are performed autonomously without the need of on an on-site or onboard human operator. Modifications and variations that would be obvious to persons of ordinary skill in the art or otherwise have no material effect on the operation of embodiments of the invention are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the above description and the appended claims.

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• 2012
  • 2012-01-11 WO PCT/AU2012/000015 patent/WO2012100283A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2012-01-11 BR BR112013018267A patent/BR112013018267A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
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• 2013
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