Drilling tools or drilling machines are used to create a round hole in a solid surface that can be materials made up of iron or wood, rocks, walls or solid ground. Different types of drilling machines are used in different drilling processes, depending on the surface to be drilled, circumference and depth of hole.
Aircore drilling is the highly advanced drilling system which uses high pressure air and dual wall rods. Steel or Tungsten blades are used to dig a hole into unconsolidated ground. The drilled of cuttings are removed by injecting compressed air into the hole. It is cost effective method of exploration drilling to get samples without any damage. It is always preferred over RWB( percussion rotary air blast drilling) and diamond drilling as it covers large diameters of rock in much quicker way.
Air core drilling minimizes the chances of contamination of samples. The air compression technique used to flush out the drill cuttings through the inner tube reduces sample pollution. It is broadly used on weathered surfaces of solid rocks upto the depth of 300 metres. There is no need to cast unnecessary holes. Air core drilling rigs are less heavier than other drilling rigs and are easily portable and quick in action.
This technique provides real time, speedy and safe samples. Thus is proves to be a pioneering and revolutionary technology in mineral exploration and mine grade control.
It reduces the extra costing due to further filtration processes of samples. It is highly equipped to create instant switch between different drilling bits and quick moving between boreholes.
Mining industry is facing a lot of challenges :
-To get successful mineral resources ore grade minerals.
-To meet up health and safety standards as per environmental factors.
-To get the land acess.
-To get sanctioned budgets with political authentification.
Air core drilling uses Nitrogen membrane, mist, dust and foam. The chances of low hole explosions are reduced by the use of mist and Nitrogen membrane. Air compression based drilling technique reduces the weight of mud to maintain drill circulation in low pressure formulations.
Dust application is used to reduce hydrostatic pressure in well bore. Nitrogen membrane reduces the chances of down hole fires.
The main features to be kept in mind in selecting a perfect air core drilling is to check the quality of drilling bits. The stronger and much efficient the bits are the greater is the performance and durability of a drilling is. This highly advanced technique has increased the revenue values of mining industry by yielding quick, pure and safe samples of minerals.
