DRILLING FOR DURABILITY

BEHIND EVERY PRODUCTIVE SHIFT LIES A QUIET BATTLE BETWEEN STEEL, ROCK AND WEAR, ONE THAT IS REDEFINING HOW MINING COMPANIES APPROACH MAINTENANCE AND PERFORMANCE.

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Drilling performance in modern mining is measured by durability, reliability and maintenance efficiency rather than penetration rates alone.

As operations push into more demanding environments and pursue tighter cost controls, drilling consumables are playing a growing role in productivity outcomes.

The operational realities at the Boliden’s Kevitsa mine in Finnish Lapland provide a clear example of why durability and maintenance efficiency are now just as critical as drilling speed, as crews contend with highly abrasive, variable ore zones that test equipment and consumables.

“The rock is both tough and extremely abrasive,” Kevitsa drilling development coordinator Juha Ranta said.

“The mixture of various ore zones, wall rock and waste rock has formed over thousands of years. Each zone behaves differently when drilled.”

Ranta’s experience at Kevitsa highlights challenges facing drilling operations globally, including in Australia, where abrasive orebodies, remote operations and extreme environments place heavy demands on consumables and maintenance schedules.

For drilling consumables specialist Robit, product development is centred on extending tool life while maintaining consistent drilling performance.