GeT SMART wITH THe New ROC f9C

MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Mechanized rock excavation with Atlas Copco
No 1 2009
GET SMART
WITH THE
NEW roc F9c
Here’s the Scoop: Scooptram run
with remote increases mine safety
Casagrande has successful first run
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Published by Atlas Copco
Construction Mining Technique
USA LLC, this magazine focuses
on the company’s products and
their uses in drilling, boring, rock
reinforcement and loading and
transport of broken rock.
11
Published by
Atlas Copco Construction
Mining Technique USA LLC
3700 E. 68th Avenue
Commerce City, CO 80022
www.atlascopco.us
4
9
16
Fax
303-288-8828
featured
Vol. 1, 2009
Pages 4-5 MINEXPO FEATURE: Las vegas 2008 Atlas Copco has successful showing
at MINExpo.
Pages 6-8
The SmartRig keeps the bull’s eye on productivity.
Pages 9-10
Casagrande Getting the job done on a tight deadline on its first time out.
Pages 11-12
SCooptram St1030 Run with a remote control, this Atlas Copco rig makes
safety a priority in mines.
Page 13special section on atlas copco How to find sales and service no matter where you work. Also, read about our used equipment sales web site and
about our service programs to keep your equipment running efficiently.
Pages 16-18 dmm3 and Pit viper 275 Atlas Copco rigs are ideal for coal mining in the
western United States’ Powder River Basin.
Pages 24-27th60 Reverse circulation drill is useful for exploration in both Canadian tar
sands and silver mine in Nevada.
Pages 22-23
SYMMETRIX SOLUTION Building a solid foundation.
on the COVEr The SmartRig ROC
F9C uses computer
programming and a
GPS system.
Preventing errors
keeps the bull’s
eye on productivity.
2
Telephone
303-287-8822
Publisher
Joanna Canton
joanna.canton@us.atlascopco.com
Editor-in-Chief
Scott Ellenbecker
scott@drillstories.com
Managing Editor
Sara Schmuck
sara@drillstories.com
507-945-0100
Editorial Advisory Board
Joanna Canton, Scott Ellenbecker,
Darwin Hollar, Ulf Linder
Circulation Manager
Jenny Ellenbecker
subscribe@drillstories.com
Editorial Production,
Design & Layout
Ellenbecker
Communications, Inc.
30120 State Hwy. 264
Round Lake, MN 56167 USA
To Request Reproduction
All product names such as Boomer, Boltec,
ROC, Coprod, Scooptram, SmartRig and
Swellex are registered Atlas Copco trademarks. However all materials in this publication may be reproduced or referred to free
of charge. For artwork or additional information please contact Atlas Copco.
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Anatomy of Change
L
ong before all the current economic difficulties in the world, Atlas Copco had made the
decision to restructure the way that portable compressors, generators and construction tools were
brought to the market in the United States. The
question was: How do our customers want to do
business?
To understand how we are changing, I’ll briefly
let you know where we came from. In the past,
portable compressors, generators and construction tools were sold through two separate
editorial
organizations. We have now combined these
construction-based products into one business
By Erik Sparby
called Atlas Copco Construction Equipment
President and General Manager,
LLC (ACCE).
map of distributors for Atlas Copco’s ConstrucAtlas Copco Construction
The formation of ACCE is not change for
tion & Mining business. Some of these dealers
Equipment LLC
change’s sake, but to better serve U.S. cusalso sell ACCE products, and those are inditomers by making it easier to trade with us.
cated. Handheld products are not always sold
For example, you will read in this publication that Atlas
where rig-mounted attachments are sold. Compressors and
Copco has established a parts distribution center in Rock
generators are not always sold with these products either.
Hill, S.C., for portable compressors and generators and alAgain, our goal is to build a stronger network that works for
ready has a similar facility in Allen, Texas, that will support
you in the future.
construction tools to U.S. customers. This will give faster
As we move into the 2009 construction season, look
parts turn around to customers.
for our new line of grapples for the demolition industry; a
We recognize that the United States is the largest indinew hydraulic hammer, the HB3600, that offers nearly a
vidual market in the world and the way we do business here
third more percussive performance than other hammers in
needs to be different than other places. The difference will
its class; and a new premium breaker tool, the “Silver Line”
center on distribution. Our end goal is to build a stronger
which will reduce your overall tooling costs.
network that makes it easier for customers to purchase prodWe are committed to growing our distribution network
ucts with the best support possible.
as well as our product offering. In the long run, we know
You will see that the centerfold of this issue contains a
this will improve your productivity and profitability.
Where to find atlas copco
Atlas Copco Construction Mining Technique USA LLC and
Atlas Copco Construction Equipment LLC provide sales and support
for Atlas Copco customers across the USA.
For CMT products call 800-732-6762, or one of the company stores below:
State
City
CODenver
NVElko
MALudlow
MD
Baltimore
TNKnoxville
WI
Milwaukee
TNNashville
PAClark’s Summit
CASan Diego
GAAtlanta
CASacramento
AZTucson
Phone
866-466-9777
775-777-2204
413-589-7439
877-797-0987
888-339-0344
866-254-8511
615-641-3000
800-950-1049
866-374-5757
888-762-3745
916-655-3005
520-834-0400
For compressors and tools, contact
Atlas Copco Construction Equipment
800-760-4049
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
win big
Customers
in Las Vegas at MINExpo
I
nternational MINExpo 2008, held in
LasVegas in September, had a record
number of attendees, with 38,500 registered visitors. Atlas Copco played a
big role in MINExpo, displaying its new
equipment in a 13,000 sq ft booth located
front and center, adjacent to the registration area. Every aspect of Atlas Copco’s
business as it relates to the mining industry was represented.
Atlas Copco really listened to drillers
during research and development of its new
midrange blasthole rig. The Pit Viper 235
is completely new, inside and out, and it fit
into Atlas Copco’s booth as a major player
for today’s evolving market. Its versatility
to various markets, which includes hard
rock mining for metals and overburden coal
mining, was of big interest to guests at the
show.
MINExpo attendees responded positively to the PV-235, citing its innovation as
being a major factor in the rig’s favor.
Tim Ledbetter, project manager for the
4
PV-235, said, “Atlas Copco is focusing on
innovation where the competition seems to
be repackaging what they already have.”
Particular interest in the PV-235 was
the rig control system (RCS). The RCS system, designed by Atlas Copco in Sweden
and implemented across product lines, is
now integrated
into the Pit Viper series rigs.
“It is the first
time that this
class of rig has
the RCS available,” Ledbetter
commented.
The Roofex
rock
bolting
system was another new product launched at
MINExpo. “The
Roofex launch
showed that we
are a significant technical supplier of innovative ground support products. The show
generated substantial leads on operations
that had special ground conditions that need
to be engineered and solved,” stated Gene
Mattila, CMT USA business line manager
for geotechnical and exploration products.
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Mattila also explained that Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco
has the capability to
Drilling Solutions
provide many specialPresident
ized products that solve
Robert Fassl (left)
specialized issues from
and President of
consumables to capital
Atlas Copco CMT
equipment.
Björn Rosengren
There was also a
stand on top of
high level of interest in
PV-235 steps
the RC50 hammer, Atlas
overlooking the
Copco’s newest product
booth. Fassl
for high performance
said,"For us it was
and exceptional reliabilthe most successity.
ful MINExpo ever,
Ron Boyd, CMT
generating a treUSA business line manmendous amount
ager for Rock Drilling
of interest from the
Tools, was very pleased
visitors."
with the level of turnout
at MINExpo, not only in the record-breakclean top,” said Ed Tanner, CMT USA busihow they were impressed with the visibiling numbers of attendees, but the quality of
ness line manager for underground rock exity.
people who visited Atlas Copco’s booth.
cavation (URE).
Not having to look around obstructions
“There were excellent questions being
Other products getting attention in the
on the Scooptram was of particular interest,
asked about our products,” said Boyd.
booth
included the efficient, high-capacity
“Operators think that Atlas Copco is ahead
Now available through the Atlas Copco
air
from
Atlas Copco’s XRVS 1250 comof the game because the ST14 has a very
group is Dynapac’s line of Weda
pressor and the HB 10000 hydraulic breakPumps. The full range of submerser. Giving mines and quarries an option for
ible pumps had a high level of interprimary breaking is a significant benefit
est in the booth. Gunnar Benselfelt,
with Atlas Copco’s most powerful hydrauproduct manager for Weda Pumps,
lic breaker.
M&C 1 09
was constantly busy talking with
visitors about the quality line of
Roofex bolts will be added to the line of
rock reinforcement products. They are
pumps that Dynapac is bringing to
demonstrated at left.
the mining market.
In the underground
section
of the booth, the
Boomer
Simulator was continuously being
demonstrated. By
using a simulator,
potential
users
learn how to use a
machine without
having to physically be in the
machine
itself,
allowing the drill
to keep working.
The 60 ton MinAfter donning a pair of
etruck MT6020,
safety glasses, Nevada
new to the United
Governor Jim Gibbons
States, was an
checks out the cut-away
section of an Atlas
impressive maCopco Swellex bolt.
chine in the booth
Swellex rock bolts are
and was popular
widely used in
with visitors. The
underground mining
Scooptram ST14
Shown in this photo
operations throughout
had
operators
is the MT6020.
Nevada.
commenting
5
ll
’s
Bu
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
on productivity
Eye
Look at the elements that could improve production – consistent handling of steel,
accurate hole placement, efficient operator control. Put these into a control package at the
finger tips of a trained operator and productivity is sure to go up.
T
he first ROC F9C SmartRig rock
drill recently went to work in the
United States. Conco Quarries
Inc., a high calcium limestone quarry in
Springfield, Mo., put the SmartRig into
production to better manage its explosive
scheduling and costs. With that they also
found other benefits along the way.
A SmartRig is a rock drill with automation features, including a global positioning
satellite (GPS) system used to direct hole
placement. Other automation features include operator screens that indicate drilling
functions and auto drilling that does everything from add steel to a preprogrammed
depth to manage drilling speed so the bit
66
doesn’t get stuck.
The selling proposition in the United
States is different from other places. In
Scandinavian countries, especially, the
SmartRig concept has been working for
years. In Norway, for example, all construction shots are laid out on computer and
published on the Internet prior to doing a
project. This is meant to elevate the level of
safety because all blast material placements
are planned in advance.
In the United States, construction projects don’t currently require this level of
design. The advantage is saving costs and
time associated with drilling, crushing and
moving rock.
When planning production schedules,
Conco knows how much rock it needs and
of what chemical composition. To lay out
a shot well in advance gives management
the time to plan ahead because the pattern
isn’t painted on the ground, but rather electronically taken from a computer. That data
is transferred to the computer in the drill.
The rig can work with a foot of snow on the
ground and it wouldn’t matter to the computer.
Conco’s Director of Quarry Operations
Chris Upp said, “The goal is to lower our
drilling costs and give us flexibility when
laying out a pattern.”
In the months since introducing the
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
The computer
allows a driller
to multitask while
the drill is in
operation. Once
he starts the drill
in auto-drill he
can leave the cab
and check holes
for blockage and
place cones over
open holes.
All drillers will drop a steel on occasion, but
the computer never drops steel…for a full
shift…day after day. The SmartRig
function frees the mind up too.
“When you’re drilling your mind is
always working, ready to react to the changing
ground. The computer on this rig allows me to
think about other things and relax a bit.”
— Matt Cobb, driller
ROC F9C smart rig Upp said, “We have
reduced drilling costs 10 to 12 percent and
we are continuing to see drilling and blasting costs go down.” He expects it will take
six months to get a picture of the long-term
savings associated with the rig.
When looking at costs, Upp looks for
the optimum breakage on every shot. “If it
isn’t perfect, you pay for it later,” he said.
He points out that their crusher can take a
60 inch cube, but that is not efficient. “You
walk a fine line with your costs: oversized
rock is bad for equipment and too much
fines means you’re wasting money on explosives. With the GPS you’re right on the
money and you don’t miss,” he said.
In the next few months Conco will continue to test burden and spacing to optimize
their shot pattern. Currently they drill 4 inch
holes with T51 steel on a 9ft x 13 ft x 27
ft pattern. Upp said the rig currently drills
2,200 to 2,800 ft per day and they blast
twice a week. Upp’s goal is to have 100,000
tons drilled and 80,000 tons on the ground
all the time.
According to Upp, just a few inches
makes a difference. This is proven in the
straightness of each hole as well. The
high wall face shows clear evidence of
the straight holes. “We don’t have a lot of
back break on the high wall and a smooth
clean wall is left behind,” said Upp. This
unplanned surprise has also greatly reduced
any safety issues and costs associated with
removing hanging rock.
A Drillers Preference
Conco’s driller Matt Cobb has years of experience on a rock drill and was skeptical
at first. “I think I’m like most experienced
drillers when I say a person can do better
than the computer because I can react to
what is going on in the ground. And for a
time I can drill as fast as the computer, but
for how long is the question,” said Cobb.
He said all drillers will drop a steel on occasion, but the computer never drops steel…
for a full shift…day after day.
The SmartRig function frees up the
mind too. “When you’re drilling your mind
is always working, ready to react to the
changing ground. The computer on this rig
allows me to think about other things and
relax a bit.”
Cobb said the computer also allows him
to multi-task while the drill is in operation.
Once he starts the drill in auto-drill he can
leave the cab and check holes for blockage
and place cones over open holes.
When the rig first arrived, Cobb ran two
drills side-by-side to see if he could keep the
same pace as the SmartRig. Cobb would set
up with the new rig and start it auto drilling
and he would jump in their old Atlas Copco
ROC 848 and drill a hole manually. When
7
MININGM&INING &
CONSTRUCTION
USA USA
CONSTRUCTION
the new rig was finished, it would be sitting there waiting for him to
move it to the next location and he would do the process again. “It’s
not something I’d want to do for a long period of time, but it got
me caught up,” said Cobb.
Matt Cobb especially likes the GPS system on the new
rig. To set up the pattern, the first hole and last hole is set
and a computer extrapolates the rest. A memory stick
transfers the information to the rig’s computer and
the operator just follows the screen.
“I match up the bull’s-eye on the screen with
to the transmitter on top of the feed, the computer tells me it’s straight or if I need to make
adjustments. It’s awesome – they really have it
figured out,” said Cobb.
There are many subtle benefits too. Because of elevation changes in the quarry, Chris
Upp said the SmartRig has allowed them to
flatten out benches. And because the hammer
is adjusting with a split second to the ground
conditions, it is more efficient and less stressed.
The computer also monitors maintenance schedules to keep the rig running at peak performance.
Conco works with Atlas Copco distributor Victor L. Phillips for service and training. Since startup, Upp said they have had no downtime, but that
comes with good training and regular preventative
maintenance.
Dave Ferson, corporate sales manager with Victor
L. Phillips, said that because of the advanced technology, “Getting a SmartRig was not without some apprehension from both Conco and Victor L. Phillips’ personnel.
Those concerns were soon overcome by the simplicity of
the training and strength of design of the F9C.”
Phillips’ field technician Jeremy Riley said, “The F9C
SmartRig is twice as easy to work on than a conventional
drill rig, due to the fact that the drill has self diagnostics
and some 30 percent fewer hydraulic hoses and electrical
wiring.”
Because of an onboard ProCon GPS system, Victor L.
Phillips and Atlas Copco support the rig 24/7, monitoring pertinent drill information through data downloads to laptops.
Ferson said, “The technology on this rig reduces the workload
for the operator when drilling, but also helps everyone work smarter.”
Overall it will take time to know the total financial benefit of the
SmartRig, but Chris Upp can already see differences. “I had to sell
the owners on this rig because it was more expensive, but it’s
clear that the savings we have seen in productivity are
offsetting that difference.”
M&C 1 09
The Conco limestone
quarry was the first
U.S. purchaser of
the SmartRig ROC
F9C and reports
good results.
8
The crew works with a DHD350
downhole hammer.
Has the Perfect Maiden Voyage
When needing to get a job done in a
hurry, using the right equipment and the
right support is what it takes.
E
d Boyer, owner of Boyer Construction Management Group, Inc.
(BCMG), has worked in the ground
engineering business for 30 years and
knows how to get a project done — no
matter what the conditions. He was recently asked to step up where another
contractor failed. And with the help of
Atlas Copco’s Sacramento company store
and Geotechnical Drilling Equipment
specialist, Ken McClanahan, he was able
to mobilize the equipment necessary to
complete a major project for Pacific Gas
and Electric Company (PG&E).
PG&E had a 96 inch pinstock pipe
leaking too much water into the mountain.
BCMG was hired to install drain holes in the
mountain, releasing excess water so PG&E
could get to the pinstock, line the cracks
and stop the leakage.
BCMG, located in Folsom, Calif., specializes in geotechnical projects including
foundation work, micro-piles, and retrofitting jobs.
General contractor, Neil’s Controlled
Blasting subcontracted with Boyer for the
PG&E job. “I had initially bid on the job,
but someone underbid me. The other company worked for three weeks and didn’t get
anything done,” stated Boyer. “Don Belden
from Neil’s called me to see if I could do
the work. I enjoy working with contractors
like Neil’s.”
Since the first company had worked
those three weeks with no success and
PG&E still needed the job done by the deadline, Boyer had just 10 days to finish the
project. Boyer, with the help of McClanahan, put together the necessary equipment in
just a few days.
“Neil’s called me on Monday and asked
how fast it could be done. Tuesday, I went
out to Ken’s yard and talked about details
and Wednesday had the go-ahead to do the
project. We were on the job site by 1 p.m. on
Thursday.”
McClanahan knew that this job might
be a possibility for BCMG, so the Atlas
Copco store had already bought a brand
new Casagrande C6 rig and put it in their
rental fleet. Atlas Copco is the distributor
of Casagrande in the Western United States.
Not only did McClanahan have the right rig
for the job, he also had all the steel, casing,
hammers and bits needed. Everything was
delivered to the jobsite in time for Boyer to
start the job.
9
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Boyer was completely satisfied with the
new Casagrande C6 rig and the service. “The
rig was topnotch, and the service you can’t
beat. They helped us put the deal together. I
could not have moved that quickly without
Ken McClanahan’s work.”
The job for PG&E was the first project
for the new Casagrande drill. The rig didn’t
even have an hour on it. Service techs from
Atlas Copco, Casagrande, and a mechanic
were there to make sure everything worked
properly. And everything did work well, according to Boyer. “The drill performed very
well. There was not one issue with the drill.
For the first time on the job, you couldn’t ask
for any better rig. I had no problems.”
BCMG drilled five holes underneath the
pinstock to act as drain holes, installing 3
inch PVC pipe. The bottom was slotted for
drainage and the upper 100 ft was grouted
in place. The top 10 ft was fitted with 3 inch
steel pipe for PG&E’s valve system.
The C6 made 6 inch holes for the surface casing to 150 ft and 5 inch holes down
to the required depth. The drilling was done
at a four-degree downward angle. The holes
had to be surveyed often, so the steel was
constantly being tripped in and out of each
hole. Boyer was pleased that pulling out
that much steel could be done in 38 to 45
minutes.
On the Casagrande C6 rig, the chuck
jaws are adjustable by using a lever, and by
using the controls the driller can adjust them.
Boyer especially liked the adjustable feature.
“It’s great because you’re always fighting
your steel when you’re drilling micropiles or
10 inch holes. These chuck jaws line it up for
you and the jaws themselves are very easy
to change out. They’re probably the easiest
jaws to change out that I’ve seen. Changing
10
the jaws simply requires loosening a couple
of bolts, flip them in, put the old ones out,
put the new ones in and you’re ready to go
again.”
The crew worked 13 to 15 hour days to
complete all five holes on time. The best day
was 340 ft. The hole depths ranged from 230
ft to 475 ft BCMG was able to finish the last
hole by Monday night and, on Tuesday, they
moved out, just 10 days after arriving.
Boyer said PG&E was satisfied with
the job. “They were totally amazed. They
were thankful.” BCMG was given a job
that seemed impossible to some. But Boyer
accepted the challenge and finished the job
on time, with the help of Atlas Copco and a
new Casagrande rig.
M&C 1 09
This Beldon siphon takes water from the American River.
HERE’S
the
SCOOP:
ST1030 helps mine safety
Company known for innovation, safety uses Atlas Copco
S
mall Mine Development (SMD) isn’t quite what the name implies
because it’s anything but small. Entering its 27th
year of operation in what owner Ron Guill calls
a “very rewarding industry,” SMD employs
275 people who spend their workdays getting
copper, gold and silver out of the earth —
largely with Atlas Copco equipment.
In a couple of mines, for example, SMD
hauls more than 2,000 tons of ore a
day. SMD is actively working on mines
in Montana and Nevada, using Atlas
Copco drills, bolters, loaders and mine
trucks.
SMD, based out of Boise, Idaho,
contracts for safe and productive underground mining solutions — including
everything from planning, drilling, development, and extraction to shutting down
a mine at the end of production.Guill said,
“We augment whatever the customer needs at
a mine in order to extract whatever, whenever.
We try to be flexible and provide a good service.”
Innovation is part of SMD’s reputation.
In 1984, the company pioneered the use of cemented backfill for use in underhand cut and fill
mining. This has since become the method of
choice for most of Nevada’s underground
gold projects. The cemented backfill
method allows for more complete
extraction while keeping workers
safe in Nevada’s less than ideal
ground conditions.
Guill said the backfill
of cement in the stopes becomes almost like pillars,
supporting the next tunnel that is opened.
Project Superintendent Paul Price is
currently leading work
near Elko, Nev. His
crew uses a Scooptram
ST1030 – a Scooptram
new to the United States.
Something that sets the
ST1030 apart from others is its
11
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
“Maintenance guys prefer the
Atlas Copco ST over any other
scoop because it is
easier to work on. The 1030
is a more maintenance-friendly
machine.”
Paul Price,
Small Mine Development
Project Superintendent
remote option which helps ensure miner
safety.
When working in unsupported areas
between reinforcement, the Scooptram operator uses a remote control that allows him
to get out of the Scooptram and advance the
machine into the muck pile, fill the scoop,
and back it up in one smooth motion. He
then gets back into the ST and drives his
load to the haul truck, which takes the ore
out of the mine.
Guill often reminds his miners, “The
most important job you have is to go home
safe and uninjured at the end of your shift.”
The ST1030 helps them do just that.
Price said, “The things that matter are
safety, comfort and speed in mining. The
redesigned cab lets the operator work all
day more comfortably. If the operator is not
comfortable, he is not as productive.”
The ST1030 has a 6-yard bucket. Price
said that helps with speed in the mine.
“Speed comes from the size of the bucket and the ability to fill the bucket in one
scoop. The Atlas Copco models load easily
even when operating in the remote option.”
Price has experience with other equipment and said, “Maintenance guys prefer
the Atlas Copco Scooptram over any other
scoop because it is easier to work on.” He
said competitive machines have been more
difficult to maintain. “The 1030 is a more
maintenance-friendly machine.”
Price also works with ST1020s, which
have 8,000 to 10,000 hours on them, and
have had no real problems. “We feel they
work well for us,” Price said.
12
Since the company was founded in
1982, Guill has lead SMD to mine more
than 6 million tons of ore and to drive over
250,000 ft of development drift.
A former Marine Corps officer, Guill
also graduated from the Mackay School of
Mines in Reno, Nev., with a degree in mining engineering.
Guill said, “At the end of the day, the
miners make the money for us. We give
people the opportunity to make a good living where they want to live. We love what
we do.”
Guill has worked with Price since the
beginning when they were a small crew
developing the business.
“The reward in working in this industry,” Guill said, “is that you have a measurable amount of material at the end of
the day to say you did your job. It’s how
we started and it’s in our blood. We love
it.”
M&C 1 09
Cemented Backfill Mining Method
Filling open spaces with
cement stabilizes
previously mined areas.
Miners can run a Scooptram
with a remote control.
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
E
that the proper parts are on the
ven as the economy sits
shelf coupled with skilled techon shaky ground, Atlas
nicians available to perform
Copco is able to stand
repairs.”
strong on a solid foundation of
While customers may be
innovative products and good
inclined to repair what they
customer service. Through the
already own, they might also
hard times – and, of course, the
be interested in renting equipgood times – Atlas Copco vows
ment that they’re not sure they
to be present for customers who
want to own. Renting gives
need to get their jobs done efficompanies the option of a oneciently and turn a profit.
Construction and mining Dave Pietrzykowski, time fixed expense if they don’t
want to invest in the ongoing
pros can buy their Atlas Copco
VP CMT Store
expense of owning equipment.
equipment at company stores or
Operations
Atlas Copco’s company
independent dealerships, which
work with the same goal in mind “Atlas Copco CMT stores have regional coverage
is cutting its own areas.
– pleasing customers with good
spending where
To increase service and supequipment and quality service.
possible, just as port, independent dealers are a
The map and list of stores and
customers are.
part of Atlas Copco’s strategy
independent dealerships on the
inside of this insert illustrate how Being frugal helps to support their customers geous keep the
graphically. These dealerships
Atlas Copco can be reached.
sales and service that sell and rent Atlas Copco
Vice President of Construcstructure we’ve equipment also support that
tion Mining Technique’s Store
always had.”
equipment with service – whethOperations Dave Pietrzykowser it’s oil changes, start-ups and
ki said that people who buy
training or local parts delivAtlas Copco equipment, no matery. The distributors also offer
ter where it’s purchased from,
(RAMPS) complete repair and
will find that good service comes
maintenance programs for
with the sale and that is what sets
Atlas Copco Equipment.
Atlas Copco apart from its comTom Borer is Vice Presipetitors. When the economy hits
dent of Independent Distribua weak point, industries can suftion and said, “People in the
fer and Atlas Copco is doing its
mining and construction inpart to stay strong and be present
dustry can and will weather the
for its customers.
economic storm.”
“We’re here for the long
“Construction had a toughhaul, even when things get difTom Borer,
er year and then the commodity
ficult,” Pietrzykowski said. “In
VP Independent
prices crashed too,” Borer said.
economic downturns we have
Distribution
“But the mining and constructo be smarter and more efficient.
tion people know their busiWe’re reducing costs in order to
“People in the
ness is cyclical and that they’ll
be there for our customers.”
mining and
be OK.”
“Atlas Copco CMT is cutconstruction
Borer added that the indeting its own spending where
industry can and
pendent
dealerships can help
possible, just as customers are,”
will weather the
their
customers
make money by
Pietrzykowski said. “Being frueconomic storm.”
offering them good equipment
gal helps us keep the sales and
that increases productivity and lowers their
service structure we’ve always had.”
operating costs. “One thing our independent
He said that customers may be doing
dealers can help with is good infrastructure
more repairs than new purchases these days,
and strategic support for their customers’
so Atlas Copco’s service is as important as
businesses. Customers are always first in the
ever to its customers. Pietrzykowski said,
minds of our dealers.”
“Now’s the time when we need to ensure
”
Atlas Copco can provide you with
everything that you need to maximize
the utilization of your
Atlas Copco equipment: • Genuine Parts
• Service
• Technical Support
• Training
• Logistics
Genuine Parts make sure that you
get the best productivity from your
Atlas Copco machine. You can be
sure that all parts and accessories
are developed and designed to give
you reliability, availability and high
performance.
Our wide range of Service products
includes everything from service
agreements, repair and rebuild services to service exchange products,
audits and much more.
Our Technical Support is available
for you. Our manuals and technical
documentation have detailed and
thorough descriptions of how to keep
your machine in its optimal condition.
To meet your goals, we have local Training centers that can help
you with a competence development
plan and train your crew. Keep your
productivity high and your maintenance costs lower.
We will reach you where ever you
are. Our Logistic solutions are everything from stocked items to a global
traffic network to distribute the parts
directly to you. Our mission is to help
you to be successful with high-quality,
on-time deliveries.
Look
Find
insid
!
e
us a
n
y
w
Re
h
inse move th ere!
rt
is
han and ke
dy to
ep
find it
Atla
an
sC
nea opco
r you
.
13
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Your search for used equipment just got simpler.
atlascopcomarketplace.com
L
ast June Atlas Copco launched a web site featuring used water well rigs. The water well industry has always had a clear
market base of customers who prefer to purchase used rather than new. Atlas Copco has now added rock drills and aftermarket parts such as hydraulic pumps and rotary heads to this site. Atlascopcomarketplace.com gives customers an idea as to
the details of each rig. Equipment condition is identified so customers can see if the rig was taken on trade and any work that
was done on it. The idea is to move rigs taken in on trade, but also includes rigs in the existing rental fleet. For those who need
spare parts or refurbished components, they can also be found on the site. If you need a rebuilt rotary head and there is one in
an Atlas Copco store, this is how you can find it.
1.Find pre-owned
products listed
by equipment
type.
2.Click
within
equipment
families to
find what
you are
looking for
and where
to buy it.
The handy
Rig Locator
shows you
where to
shop for
Atlas Copco
equipment.
3.Found the
right rig?
Register
online or
make a phone
call and get
details.
atlascopcomarketplace.com
14
The AfterMarketPlace lists sale
items. Save 50% with the Used
Components and Surplus Parts link.
Browse the list of used components
and surplus parts for sale.
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Focus on
Retention
Rig Audits Save Money
Atlas Copco’s service tech Ron Sanquins has long relied on audits to help
customers.
“I started doing audits regularly two
to three years ago to help customers in
remote areas,” said Sanguins. Today
it’s a regular part of his schedule.
Mines need parts on hand to keep
operations moving. Now Sanquins does
quarterly audits and has seen the benefits. “To extend the life of a $60,000
rotary head or to catch a catastrophic
failure before it happens, the audit more
than pays for itself,” said Sanguins.
Sanguins also works with his customers and distributors to have the
right parts in inventory. Knowing what is
needed is key as no one wants to sit on
unnecessary inventory.
“I have a shopping list for each customer based on the rigs they own and
the parts that will take longer to have
shipped if there is a failure. I communicate with service folks at each mine or
distributor to understand their general
needs and also what’s needed for the
next PM, next major overhaul and emergency parts.”
Keeping rigs longer, maintaining existing fleets and even buying used
equipment seem to be common desires in these difficult times.
Atlas Copco stores across the
United States have seen an increase
in service work in recent months to
retain and maintain equipment rather
than purchase new. This is nothing
new, as drillers who have been in the
business a while may remember.
To accommodate this cycle, Atlas
Copco has strengthened its services
around this style of business.
Aftermarket programs and audits, maintenance services and used
equipment purchasing options are all
in full swing.
“DrillCare is about balancing the
cost of operation, cost of downtime
and loss of productivity,” said Jeff
Rose, aftermarket manager for ADS.
Because downtime is an issue
with any operation extensive work
has gone into each component. The
rig hose first aid kit is a perfect example.
Mark Bausch coordinated the
components in the kit. Looking at all
the possibilities of a hose problem,
sections can be used in the kit to
quickly fix any broken hose.
“This is not a permanent fix, but a
way to keep a rig running. Each section and size is numbered and color
coded and matches with a manual
that comes in the box,” said Bausch.
Overall, these services, programs and web options are designed
to make life easier and more productive for the customer. Customers are
encouraged to look at these options
to extend the life of their equipment.
CARE for Your Machine
To offset the time delay for parts delivery, customers also have service options provided
through the Atlas Copco manufacturing locations and Atlas Copco company
stores. Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions (ADS) recently introduced DrillCare™,
which is an umbrella of products and services for rotary blasthole and deep
hole drills coming out of the factory in Garland, Texas. Company stores also
offer ROCCare™, which is a service program for rock drills that includes an
extended warranty on major parts and other services.
Jeff Rose, aftermarket manager for ADS said, “DrillCare is a multiple solution option for customers depending on their service need. This could be an extended warranty for one customer or a hydraulic first aid kit for another.” Rose emphasizes prevention
saying, “reliability is a function of maintenance” resulting from having the right parts or systematic preventative maintenance program. “It’s about getting the equation right – corrective
maintenance verses preventative maintenance,” said Rose.
Mark Bausch
15
GO WEST
and grow...
Atlas Copco’s DMM3 and Pit Viper 275 are ideal
for coal mines in Wyoming and Montana.
West of a peaceful place where the
deer and antelope play, the Powder
River Basin is known by those in the
energy business as the single largest source of coal mined in the United States. The Powder River Basin
(in southeast Montana and northeast
Wyoming) fuels 28 power plants, and
has some of the largest coal deposits in the world.
A
tlas Copco’s DMM3 and Pit Viper 275 (PV-275) are ideal for
coal mining in the Powder River
Basin and the DMM3 was, in fact, first
designed for mining the overburden
covering the sub-bituminous coal in that
region. Although the DMM3 and PV-275
16
have other applications, the Powder
River Basin mines rely on the effectiveness of these blasthole drilling rigs.
Jon Torpy, a regional manager for
Atlas Copco, said, “The DMM3 is in a
class of its own with the right balance
of air, rotary head performance, bit
load, and depth capacity. The PV-275
has taken these strengths and added
to them.”
Torpy said, “The DMM3 was designed to drill the Powder River overburden so it can drill the deep angle
holes required to reach the coal.”
Walt Schroeder is a product support sales representative for Atlas Copco, but prior to working for Atlas Copco,
Schroeder was a driller. He has drilled
on many drills including seven years on
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
a DMM3. Schroeder said, “I have never
had a bad word to say about the DMM3
and it’s always the truth. Ask anyone
who has operated one,” he continued.
“There is no other drill that can mast
over to 30 degrees and drill 240 ft – all
day, every day and never even grunt!”
When choosing between the
two, there are few differences. Both rotary blasthole drills offer a 1,050 horsepower engine that comes with a 2,600
CFM compressor to efficiently clear cuttings from the hole. The DMM3 offers
an additional 40 ft of hole depth and the
PV-275 offers an updated cab design,
plus maintenance features integrated
into the Pit Viper series rigs. In Torpy’s
opinion the choice mostly comes down
to the application and existing fleet. “We
work closely with our customers to determine which drill is the best fit for both
their short-term and long-term plans.”
Schroeder seconded this, but
also pointed out the added depth of
the DMM3 is often the deciding factor.
“Sometimes other drills are used for
the surface work, but the extra depth
is necessary to reach the coal in many
places,” said Shroeder.
Both drill holes up to 12¼ inch in
The U.S. Department of Energy has
forecasted that total worldwide
energy demand will grow more
than 55 percent and coal use is
forecast to grow 74 percent.
diameter. The DMM3 has a depth capacity of 235 ft and the PV-275’s depth
capacity is 195 ft. Both can drill overburden cast blastholes up to 30 degrees.
Both have comfortable and efficient
cabs – sealed, pressurized and cooled/
heated with large,
tinted windows, sound abatement and
ample work area and head room. Operator controls are electric over hydraulic
for ease and rapid response. The excellent visibility of the drill deck and tower
helps to provide for safe and efficient
operation. The PV-275 has a newer ergonomically designed cab, yet both rigs
offer comfort for the operator.
A feature the PV-275 offers that is
not available on the DMM3 is the Advanced Rig Control System (RCS). With
RCS, the cab is upgraded to a Can-bus
excavator control system and allows the
customer to easily upgrade to add GPS,
automatic leveling and even automatic
drilling. A rugged screen displays the di-
agnostics of each hole, feeding all drilling activity on the rig and in the hole.
RCS allows for more accurate drilling
results, greater blasting efficiency and
a faster drilling process.
Both rigs have a mainframe that is
strengthened with radius gussets, reinforcing at major stress points for better
stress distribution. Three hydraulic leveling jacks are provided for maximum
“tripod” stability and allow fast mobilization between holes. A four jack system
is also available. The excavator-type
undercarriage with triple-bar grouser
pads allows for better traction and slewing ability in all ground conditions.
For maximum efficiency, there are
two main hydraulic pumps that power either the tram motors or the feed
and rotation functions through efficient
closed-loop circuits. The tram circuit
has a hydraulically released brake that
is spring-applied for additional safety if
hydraulic power is lost.
Maintenance is made easier on the
Pit Viper series drills with the auto cable
tensioning system that ensured an accurate head alignment and improves
cable life. This feature also offers
smoother drilling which reduces costs
by increasing the life of the bit and feed
system.
The DMM3 here is being used by Rawhide Mine, owned by
Peabody Energy. Peabody’s three mines in the Basin shipped
161.5 million tons of coal to customers around the world in 2007.
Drillers work in a comfortable cab with a good view of the drill
deck when using the Atlas Copco DMM3.
17
In deep overburden mining, it all
starts with a blasthole, and the power
and performance
•Comfortable and safe cab
of the drill rig. Atlas
•Powerful compressor
Copco offers the
•Sturdy body
DMM3 and PV-275
with several options and features,
allowing it to adapt
to any mining situation anywhere in the
world. Atlas Copco
has developed several cold weather
and lighting packages for these rigs.
The lighting and
cold weather packages are key to the
The DMM3 and PV-275 cabs offer
success of the PVgreater visibility of the drill area.
275 and the DMM3
The PV offers the RCS system for
in the Powder River
more efficient drilling.
Basin.
Schroeder said,
“When this rig was
designed there were
defiantly miners involved. There isn’t
a more comfortable
rig to operate - they
got it right when engineered this rig. I’d
say this is the most
ergonomic drill on
the planet and I’ve
never run a rig that
I like more.”
Schroeder’s
confidence speaks
to durability too.
Availability is critisupplying about 40 percent of the coal
cal according to Schroeder. “There is
Over the next two decades, the U.S.
that fuels those stations.
not a drill made that has the air, power
Department of Energy has forecasted
Torpy said he’s proud of the relationand overall drilling performance at this
that total worldwide energy demand will
ship
Atlas Copco has with the mines and
depth and angle that can match the
grow more than 55 percent and coal
energy
companies in the Powder River
availability of the DMM3. I know guys
use is forecast to grow 74 percent.
Basin.
“The
performance record of the
you wouldn’t let operate your lawnmowThe Powder River Basin produced
DMM3
speaks
for itself. We have sever who are drilling with the DMM3 – this
436 million short tons of coal in 2007,
eral
that
have
been
running in the Barig is tough!”
more than the entire Appalachian resin
for
more
than
a
decade
with excelThe Powder River Basin is known
gion. Overall, the Powder River Basin
lent
productivity
and
reliability,”
Torpy
for plentiful coal deposits, lower in sulfur
accounts for about 37 percent of U.S.
summarized.
And
the
newer
PV-275
is
than coal found in other coal-rich areas.
coal production. Coal supplies about
quickly
earning
a
similar
reputation.
It is estimated that the entire Basin has
half of the United States electricity supM& C 1 09
more than 800 billion tons of coal. Most
plies, with Powder River Basin mines
of it, almost 97 percent, is used to generate electricity. Another 2.5 percent of
All Atlas Copco blasthole products, such as the Pit Viper shown here,
the coal is used by industrial plants; 0.6
in the Powder River Basin are supported by Cate Equipment Company.
percent is exported, and 0.2 percent is
Cate’s branch in Gillette, Wyo., (800-320-9823) is a stock dealer of parts
used by residential or commercial buildand offers complete service.
ings to burn for heat.
PV-275
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
New Breaker Delivers
Better Performance
Atlas Copco Compressor
Distribution Center
Delivers On-time
Atlas Copco Compressors LLC
recently opened a new distribution center in Rock Hill, S.C.,
as part of their commitment to
work to ensure a 24-hour delivery of in-stock parts to customers across North America.
“Through our new compressor distribution center in
South Carolina we have the
capability to deliver spare parts
within 24 hours or less if that’s
what the customer needs,” said
Paul Hense, president of Atlas
Copco Compressors LLC.
“Our customers no longer
have to worry about overseas
shipping or potential delays in
customs – they know they’ll
get the parts they need the next
morning, significantly reducing any downtime they may be
experiencing.”
The distribution center is staffed by more than 30 full-time employees, who
manage the shipping of an average of 1,000 order lines every day.
The opening of the new North American distribution center coincides with
Atlas Copco’s Compressor North American headquarters relocation to Rock Hill
from Westfield, Mass. The distribution center is part of an 187,000 square feet
facility, consisting of corporate offices, manufacturing and distribution space for
Atlas Copco portable and stationary compressors. The facility is also used for
the production of compressors for the many multi-brands within Atlas Copco.
The brand new manufacturing and distribution center ensures flexible manufacturing inline with customer needs. This flexibility allows for entire production lines to be changed from screw compressors to piston compressors within a
matter of hours.
“Our new North American distribution center is another example of our continuing commitment to our customers, providing them with the best and mostaccessible resources and services that complement our state-of-the-art compressor technology,” Hense added.
The new distribution center is part of Atlas Copco’s dedication to understanding, anticipating and satisfying every customer’s complete service requirements in order to provide maximum efficiency in productivity, while helping to
significantly reduce energy consumption and costs. The company’s compressor
service program includes a 24-hour emergency support service hotline:
(877) 2 GET ATLAS COPCO, or 877-243-8285.
The new HB 3600 by Atlas Copco fits perfectly to the 35 to 63 metric ton carrier
weight class. The breaker delivers 46 percent
more performance per ton of service weight
and offers a 30 percent higher efficiency
compared with other hydraulic breakers in
this class. Delivering an impact rate of up to
560 blows per minute, the HB 3600 is ideal
for applications such as demolition, trenching, foundation work, tunneling, rock mining
and secondary breaking.
With its new heavy duty hydraulic breaker, the HB 3600, Atlas Copco keeps pace, and
presents a tool for the perfect fit.
Avoiding improper adjustments of carrier and attachment, it is no wonder that the
HB 3600 offers the best weight/performance
ratio of its class. This means that similar
results can be obtained with lower breaker
weight. And lower breaker weight means that
a smaller excavator can be used.
The HB 3600 has more unique Atlas
Copco features. Thanks to energy recovery,
it is possible to exceed a 100 percent output
without increasing the hydraulic input during
peak periods. With constant impact energy
given, the HB 3600 is able to increase blow
frequency and therefore to boost percussive
performance.
Atlas Copco’s PowerAdapt is a system
that automatically shuts down the breaker in
the event that it receives excessive oil pressure from the carrier, then returns it to normal
once the overflow situation corrected.
Also standard on the HB 3600 is AutoControl, a monitoring system that allows
the breaker to adapt its frequency and power
output to match operating conditions. The
StartSelect system allows start-up and shutoff to be adjusted to fit jobsite conditions.
For prolonged service life, the HB 3600
features ContiLube© II and DustProtector II.
ContiLube II is an automatic lubrication system mounted directly on the breaker. It eliminates the need to manually grease the breaker
before each use.
19
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
More with
DrillAir
TM
A new generation of compressors has
arrived in the drilling industry. With an
increase in free air delivery, fuel savings
that add up quickly, and the importance of
speed, these portable compressors have
what it takes to get the job done!
Purchasing from Atlas Copco means that
you’re not only getting a fine running machine, you’re getting the most well-developed
and researched machine in today’s market.
With a 7 percent increase in free air delivery
from improvements made in the screw elements, a 4 percent reduction in fuel costs,
and a more efficient design, more air output
means more productive work is completed.
Two premier Atlas Copco developments are
available in these compressors. FuelXpertTM
controls the speed of the engine in relation to
the air demand to provide major fuel savings
at partial load. Oiltronix™ V2 is a system that
regulates the oil temperature to a temperature
just above the dew point in the vessel, thus
preventing condensation of water in the compressed air. The new improved Oiltronix™ V2
features a fully reliable valve assembly, combo
sensor, controller and wiring.
The best fuel savings, the fastest penetration,
and the highest overall savings make these
Atlas Copco DrillAir compressors the one for
you!
18
2020
Atlas Copco Thanked
for Contributions to
Mining Community
Ed Greer, Store Manager in Tucson, Ariz., accepted the Industry
Partnership Award from the
Mining Foundation of the
Southwest on behalf of Atlas
Copco. The Industry Partnership award was created to
recognize contributions made
by companies, organizations
Ed Greer,
or individuals in partnership
Tucson Store
with the mining industry.
At the awards ceremony in December,
Greer said, “We at Atlas Copco are fortunate to work for a company that not only
wanted us to be a part of the community, but
demanded that we support our community.
All of us at Atlas Copco Tucson have had
the pleasure to work with some of the best
customers and suppliers in the nation and
they also share part of this award. Many
of you in the audience and mining industry
have helped shape my career and have had
a heavy influence on most of our employees.
All of us at Atlas Copco Tucson would like to
thank you, and you share part of this award.”
The Mining Foundation of the Southwest is
a non-profit organization working to educate the
public about the mining industry, support mining
education, and report outstanding accomplishments in the fields of earth science. Some of the
programs and institutions supported by the Mining Foundation of the Southwest, with the help of
Atlas Copco, include: University of Arizona Department of Mining and Geological Engineering,
University of Arizona Mineral Museum, Colorado
School of Mines, New Mexico Tech, Universidad
de Sonora, Arizona Historical Society Museum,
Asarco Mineral Discover Center, Arizona Sonora
Desert Museum and 4-H chapters. The Mining
Foundation also supports the newly created Mining
Educational Outreach Program. Atlas Copco CMT
USA is a Gold sponsor of the Outreach Program.
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Atlas Copco Has
New Business
Structure for
Construction
Equipment
Sales in USA
Atlas Copco Construction Equipment
LLC is the name of the new Atlas
Copco business dedicated to serving
the U.S. construction market. This
new entity combines the Portable Air
operations of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s U.S. sales company
with the Atlas Copco Construction
Tools USA sales company. Atlas
Copco Construction Equipment is
responsible for the sales and service
of portable compressors, generators,
pneumatic, hydraulic, and gasolinepowered construction and demolition
tools, along with related aftermarket
services, for both the Atlas Copco and
Chicago Pneumatic brands.
The new organization is headquartered in Commerce City, Colorado,
sharing offices and support functions
with the Atlas Copco Construction
Mining Technique USA customer
center. Although the two companies
will operate independently, they have
much the same culture and market
knowledge and can benefit from these
and other synergies. The Westfield,
Mass., office of the Construction
Tools business will be closed at the
end of March 2009.
Top priorities of Atlas Copco Construction Equipment LLC are to optimize the sales and service structure, to
support customers, and to continue to
be a leader in the construction equipment business. The new company will
have three sales and service regions
in the North, South and West United
States.
Erik Sparby heads up Atlas Copco
Construction Equipment as its general
manager.
“We are looking at this as an opportunity to become more focused and
dedicated, specializing on the unique
needs of the construction industry,”
Sparby said.
Pictured (from left) are John Johnston, operations manager, Doug Podraza, western regional salesman for Atlas Copco, Cassandra Mulligan, and Steve Elloway.
U8 Purchased at MINExpo
American Drilling Corp, based in Spokane, Washington, purchased a Diamec
U8 at the MINExpo show this year. Steve Elloway, manager at the company,
said that American has been on board with the U8 since Atlas Copco first started
developing it and he is impressed with what the U8 will do for them. American
will be doing deep underground exploration drilling and definition drilling. The
DIAMEC® U8 rig, with an APC computer control system, is a core drilling rig
for underground and surface operations with automatic performance control for
wireline (B-H) and conventional core barrels.
New Light Tower
Increases Job Efficiency
The QLT 4 is Atlas Copco’s newest addition to the construction market.
Using the reliable GenSmart™ Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG),
this powerful light tower has four 1000 watt metal halide lamps and an
enhanced flicker-free lighting that will provide all of the lighting necessary with 15 to 20 percent more efficiency. The enclosure construction on
the light tower is made
with heavy gauge painted
steel, and the winch
design and trailer suspension are commercial
grade. The cost of running this unit is lower
than others because its
typical fuel usage is 1.8 gallons per day lower. The
QLT 4 is a lightweight and well-balanced unit that makes
for easy transport and use. This superior product is one that you’ll want to own or rent.
21
Symmetrix solution builds
Solid foundations
F
inland’s Konepaja Häkkinen Oy,
Scandinavia’s largest machining
company, specializes in the production of oversize and challenging components. It is also a sub-supplier to Wärtsilä
Diesel, the world’s leading manufacturer
of large deisel-powered generator plants
and ship engines.
At its production facilities in the city of
Turku on Finland’s south-west coast, Konepaja Häkkinen machines giant engine blocks
for Wärtsilä Diesel. The company wanted to
increase its production capacity by installing
new, 187 ft long moving machining lines and
had exacting demands for the groundwork.
The new lines would handle diesel engine components weighing between 275 and
440 tonnes and the maximum settlement allowed for the floors was specified in microns.
Total stability
The new floors had to be totally solid
and absolutely stable. Two alternatives were
proposed. Either the foundations could be
constructed on 118 x 4 ft bored piles or 3
inch x 2.3 ft bedrock-drilled steel casings
with reinforcement cages filled with concrete.
The contractor chose drilled casings,
for several reasons. A key factor was that
drilling the casings into the bedrock offered
superior control of the pile bottom and bedrock condition – a bored pile does not have
the same ability to connect to the bedrock
and there is also a risk that a bored pile stops
before hitting it.
Due to the extremely low tolerances
for settlement and movement of the machining lines, the risk of not connecting with
the bedrock was judged to be unacceptable.
Another major benefit of the drilled casing
method was the speed of the construction.
Whereas the bored piling was estimated to
take between four and five months to complete, the drilled casings would take just
four to five weeks.
Both phases of the project were awar22
ded to contractor Sotkamon Porakaivo. The
project involved 71 drilled piles in 2006 for
one machining line plus 56 drilled piles in
2007 for a second line using the Atlas Copco Symmetrix system. Each pile was 2.3 ft
in diameter and required casing all the way
through overburden and 6 ½ ft into the solid granite bedrock. Pile lengths varied from
46 to 85 ft and the total weight of the drillstring was 10.5 ton.
Arto Määtta, who runs Sotkamon
Porakaivo with two of his brothers, said,
“We have been working with Symmetrix
in different applications for almost fifteen
years – it is a very versatile system. It is
perfect for projects that have challenging
demands for accuracy, tight schedules and
present difficult conditions.”
Sotkamon Porakaivo chose the Symmetrix SE711 pilot and ring bit system to
guarantee durability and high performance.
An SE solitary ring bit was used for most of
the job, but as some of the drilling was done
very close to the foundations of an active
machining line, an extended ring bit system
was also employed. This ensured that all the
flushing air was collected via the casing.
The drill rig is fitted with a special clamping device so that up to 43 ft of the first casings could be pulled up to a mast with a 49
ft stroke. As the drilling was done indoors,
all cuttings were collected through a diverter
head and deposited in a waste tank. Drilling
a hole for the piles of 43 ft and fewer took, on
average, two hours, one hour of which was
effective drilling and the remaining time was
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
When a Finnish machining
company needed stable
foundations for new production
lines that could handle heavy,
oversized components, several
construction techniques were
considered. The chosen solution
proved fast, reliable and accurate.
used for adding extension casings, repositioning and cleaning holes.
Groundwork
Before drilling could begin, a 13-ft
layer of the existing floor and clay had to be
removed to establish the piles at the correct
level. A concrete base was laid in the pit for
the drill rig to operate from. The rig then
pre-drilled the holes in the concrete floor
before drilling the piles.
For each pile, the drill rig picked up
a 39 ft casing tube from the original floor
level. After adding the casing onto the drill
string, the ring bit was locked onto the Symmetrix pilot bit and the rig was repositioned
for the next pile.
One of the main challenges was the
The Symmetrix system in action: Another casing, loaded with Symmetrix bit is ready for placement.
The casings are drilled into the bedrock for maximium security.
need to operate in the narrow space offered by the pit. The sequence in which the
piles were drilled also had to be carefully
calculated, in order not to pile the rig into
a corner. For the last few piles, the drill rig
was elevated on a steel platform above the
newly drilled casings, from where it drilled
the final holes.
Jukka Ahonen, General Manager,
Atlas Copco Rotex, said that Sotkamon
Porakaivo’s experience of the Symmetrix
system is so comprehensive that the contractor often participates in the testing of
new Symmetrix equipment: “The company
actively participates in testing the latest innovations and contributes proposals. Their
input helps us to develop the Symmetrix
overburden system to even higher levels of
effectiveness.”
M& C 1 09
23
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6
TH
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Atlas Copco
drill is
successful
in both reverse
circulation
exploration in
Nevada silver
mine and
core-drill
exploration
in Canada’s
tar sands.
Silver and gold were discovered at Silver
Peak in 1863 and 1865, and mining
continued until 1941.
24
TH60 proves itself at Silver
Peak for reverse circulation drilling
Staying on budget is always important, but the nature of exploration drilling and its many unknowns don’t always make that possible. How equipment will perform in a formation is difficult to
lay out on a spreadsheet. Even so, Golden Phoenix of Reno, Nev.,
is having no problem keeping the accountants happy.
G
olden Phoenix had to first determine if the best way
to explore its Silver Peak, Nev., operation was to contract the drilling or to purchase a drill and hire its own
crew. Because 23-year-drilling-veteran and Drilling Services
Manager Jason Layton was part of the team, the board gave in
to the idea to go it on their own. “If Jason wasn’t part of the
equation we would have never gone this way,” said Golden
Phoenix’s Senior Manager for Technical Services Wayne Colwell. That put lots of pressure on Layton to get it right.
Next, Golden Phoenix needed a rig that could do the job. “We
looked at everything out there,” said Layton. What it came
down to was the service he would get from the Atlas Copco
customer center in Sacramento, Calif., and how the Atlas Copco TH60 DH could be outfitted to work efficiently for Silver
Peak’s needs.
“The TH60 DH is really set up for RC (reverse circulation)
drilling,” said Layton. “With other rigs you have to touch
three handles to do anything. With the TH60 you just have
one.” He made modifications so he could drill at an angle,
but other than that, the rig is a standard 70,000 lb pullback rig. Layton had experience with T3W and RD20
rigs, so the move to the new TH60 wasn’t a hard one.
Layton likes the setup and performance of the TH60,
too, stating, “It’s got a clean deck if you have to work on
it and there is less noise because you’re so far from the
engine.” He is pleased with the 123-gallon average daily
fuel usage with the rig. “That’s not bad for a 600-plus
horsepower engine.” he said.
An important factor in the fuel savings has been the
electronic air regulation (EAR) system. “Having the ability to dial down the cfm or psi and fine tune the air output
is a big benefit when RC drilling,” said Layton. Just like
all drilling, speed and the ability to move through rock de-
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Numbered bags and small container samples are taken every five drilled feet. Plaster poured around the 5-ft deep pipe seals up the discharge
line. When finished, a hammer “pop” on the pipe will break the plaster free, allowing the discharge pipe to come cleanly out of the hole.
pends on the formation, but with RC drilling, “The samples
are the most important,” emphasized Layton. “You have to
really keep your eye on it.” He can drill rods through limestone in three minutes and through granite in eight to 10
minutes.
In the six months from March to mid-September, Golden Phoenix put 1,400 hours on the rig and drilled 34,000
ft. “We expect to put 50,000 ft behind us before the snow
flies,” said Layton.
Performance Speed
Golden Phoenix drills with a three-man crew: driller, pipe
handler, and bagger. The bagger’s job is to fill the sample
bags and put a small sample in a tray. A sample is taken
every 5 ft.
With the new TH60DH, the crew has
tried many different options for hammers.
The sampling hole is drilled with a 5½
The fastest they could drill with a non-Atinch bit on the 5 inch hammer. When relas Copco hammer was 300 ft in a 10-hour
verse circulation drilling, special pipe is
shift. With the QL50, the drilling speed inused that has a 2½ inch inner pipe within
creased to 500 ft in a 10-hour shift. Then
the 4½ inch drill steel. Air passes through
Atlas Copco salesman, Brian Walter, introsmall slots between the inner and outer pipe
duced them to Atlas Copco’s new RC50 RC
and the cuttings come up the center of the
hammer.
inner pipe. Putting a bag under the wet sam “My guys weren’t too happy with that
pler, the cuttings are collected.
hammer when we first put it to work,” said
“I really like this rig,” said Layton, “and
Layton with a smile. “They were working
we really take good care of it. But if I had
so fast it took two guys to bag samples to
to, I’d buy another one just like it.”
keep up...it was really fun to watch. That
hammer can really eat rock!”
Metal Exploration
Out of the box, the crew put 500 ft on
Colwell points out that the formation init the first six hours and it hasn’t let up. The
cludes a granite structure with quartz,
crew averages 500 to 800 ft a day, dependlimestone, and alaskites. Silver was discoving on how many times they have to move.
ered in the area in 1863 and gold in 1865.
The most they’ve drilled in one day includFolds and domes of igneous and metamored 29 moves and 890 drilled ft. An average
phic rock are visible on the mountain face,
hole is in the 300 to 800 ft depth.
which points to the geologically active area.
When estimating drill costs for capiA 375-ft high cinder cone (extinct volcano)
tal equipment, labor and consumables, the
can be seen in the valley below the old mine
amounts haven’t changed, but Layton is
workings. Gold is found in the Mary limegetting significantly more footage – with
stone formation and quartz.
less fuel consumption – from the TH60 and
Today Silver Peak is an unincorporated
RC50. “We are way under our projected
town of less than 80 people, which includes
budget,” said Layton.
the Golden Phoenix crew, located at the
base of the mountain. Early in the last century, the town had a booming 15,000 inhabitants and a thriving mining industry. In the
late 19th century miners hauled ore off the
mountain with mule teams, which were replaced in 1906 with a 14,000-ft aerial tram
to the mill site at Blair, one of Nevada’s
many ghost towns.
From 1906 to 1941, more wealth was
pulled from Silver Peak than Nevada’s famous Comstock Lode located at Virginia
City. Mining was halted because of World
War II.
An estimated 56 miles of underground
workings are located on the mountain,
which has shaft openings dotting the mountain face. In addition to exploratory drilling
at Mineral Ridge, Golden Phoenix is in the
process of preparing a feasibility study using data generated by the TH60 to support
the anticipated restart of gold production at
this fully permitted and bonded property.
Sampling indicates .08 pit-grade gold in
the ore body, and Colwell says 2 to 3 ounce
intercepts are not uncommon. In comparison, a century ago underground activities
followed seams yielding .25 to .3 ounces to
the ton.
25
INING &
&
MINING
ONSTRUCTION USA
USA
CONSTRUCTION
TH60 is used for
exploration drilling
in Canada’s tar sands
to define the formation
The TH60 rig works well for coring
and mud drilling surface holes.
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 to define the formation.
B
ertram is an exploration company that
incorporates different types of drilling in its business strategy. Its role is
to identify where the tar sands are, and then
recover samples which can be used to measure the potential of the formation. They run
a fleet of 36 helicopter-portable drill units
and several other types of drilling equipment
including track, wheel and buggy mounted
rigs. These smaller portable rigs can get
places larger rigs can’t, conducting seismic
work. To do core work in the tar sands, Bertram uses Atlas Copco TH60 drill rigs. In
total, the company has 17 rigs working in
Canada and the United States.
The bulk of the coring work is done in
a 90 to 120 day window of time, beginning at
the end of December. Typically, drilling in
northern Alberta and Saskatchewan is winter
work because much of the region is spotted
with muskeg and swampy ground that can
only be traversed when frozen. The TH60
works well for this type of job because,
for the most part, it is classic mud drilling
work in heavy overburden and glacial till.
The 16-cutter
core bit cuts the
core sample.
26
The rigs are ordered without air compressors
and equipped with a Centerline mud pump, a
lightweight pump. Monument Machine Shop,
Atlas Copco’s distributor for Western Canada,
supplies and installs the pump and takes care
of Bertram’s fleet of equipment. Darrel Skinner, sales manager for Monument, emphasizes
service after the sale as being key to maintaining a good working fleet in Canada. Although
Bertram’s crews usually stop work at -31° F
– at that point steel becomes brittle – temperatures did reach -69° F last winter and the cold
is hard on equipment.
Oil Security
Alberta’s oil reserves are estimated at 280-300
billion barrels (Gb), but those numbers will
become more than estimates through the work
conducted by Bertram and others. As a comparison, Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves are listed
at 240 Gb. Total reserves for Alberta, including oil not recoverable using current technology, are estimated at 1,700-2,500 Gb. (zfacts.
com, Wikipedia.com)
The core retrieval barrel
is lowered to the bottom
of the hole to extract the
core sample.
The tar sand formation is just that, heavy
oil deposited in a layer of sand. The paleotopography is dated to the lower cretaceous period. Below the tar sand is hilly limestone and
the oil follows the contour of the land with thin
and thick deposits. According to Brian Bertram, “The tar sands are massive and only 10
percent have been quantified.” The depths of
the oil sand vary and are well within the pullback range of the TH60. “It’s our job to bring
in the cores so others can extrapolate the data
and do the reservoir analysis,” said Bertram.
Drilling 5,250 ft apart in a grid pattern,
the formation is mapped. Cores are then taken
closer and closer down to 328 ft until a clear
picture is identifiable. Currently, a number
of drilling companies are working in the region doing both exploration and SAGD drilling. Once identified, the oil can be recovered
through one of two methods. Where it is shallow near Fort McMurray it is being scraped up
with loaders. The deeper formation, like that
at Axe Lake, will be recovered through SAGD
operations (see side bar).
At the bottom of the retrieval barrel,
a pronged metal piece called a
basket keeps the core in the barrel.
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
Retrieving the Core
Bertram’s drill supervisor, Wes McMann, at
the Axe Lake Project said, “Drilling the surface hole is done with bentonite mud whereas
the core hole requires a more slippery mud.” A
surface hole is drilled with a 9⅞ inch tricone
bit to a point above the formation where the
spotting of tar begins appearing in the cuttings.
This is called the core point. The hole is then
cased and cemented with 7 inch casing. Once
the surface hole is finished, the coring begins.
Going back in the hole with a 6¼ inch, 16-cutter, core bit at the end of 4½ inch core pipe, the
bit is advanced through the formation. As the
bit advances, drilling stops in increments from
as little as 4 inches to 118 inches to retrieve the
2½ inch core sample. McMann said, “A quality recovery is when 95 percent of what was
drilled comes out of the hole.”
When the bit is advancing, the core sample moves up and into the core pipe and then
into a 10 ft section of pipe, called a retrieval
barrel. Inside the retrieval barrel is a 2½ inch
PVC pipe that firmly holds the sample in
place. At the bottom of the retrieval barrel is
a pronged metal piece, called a basket, which
allows the sample to move into the barrel.
The basket secures the sample so it doesn’t
fall back into the hole. Once the driller stops
advancing the bit, a cable lowers a retrieval
pipe into the hole. At the end of this section
are fingers that lock into a landing ring on the
top of the retrieval barrel. The retrieval barrel
is pulled from the hole.
The sample length will be checked for
length and geological properties and the process is repeated. Once through the tar sand
strata, and at least 10 ft (3 m) into the limestone, the hole is complete.
“Our job is to define the oil formation,”
said McMann, the hole is done when we reach
the bottom.”
Steam assisted gravity drainage
enhanced oil recovery
Over 90% of the world’s heavy oil and oil sands
are deposited in Canada and Venezuela. Up to
90% of Canada’s estimated reserves could
be recovered by steam assisted gravity
drainage (SAGD) operations and 10% by
surface mining.
In this process, two horizontal wells separated by a vertical distance are placed near
the bottom of the formation. The top horizontal
well is used to inject steam which rises, forming
a large steam chamber above the well, and the
bottom well is used to collect the produced
liquids (formation water and oil). The rising steam condenses on the boundary of
the chamber, heating and drawing out the oil
to the production well. The process leads to a high
recovery and high
oil rate at economic oil-tosteam ratios.
M & C 1 09
Inside the core barrel, the 2½ inch PVC
pipe contains the core sample.
27
MINING &
CONSTRUCTION USA
,
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Ground engineering never got any easier.
Atlas Copco has put together a complete package
that deals with all things geotechnical.
When you have a foundation project – no matter the
application, location, or size of the project –
Atlas Copco offers the equipment and technical
expertise to help develop and execute the plan.
Any way you need a hole drilled, be it hammered,
augured or driven we have the drill rig to power your
job or tooling to lead your drill string. The next time
you’re bidding a project that needs soil stabilization,
casing advancement systems, or just a big or deep
hole you can be assured Atlas Copco is there with the
right equipment.
• Casagrande drill rigs distributor for the Midwest
• MAI self-drilling anchor system
• Large or small down-the-hole hammers
Committed to your superior productivity
800-732-6762 Atlas Copco Construction Mining Technique USA LLC
800-760-4049 Atlas Copco Construction Equipment LLC
28 www.atlascopco.us
• Symmetrix overburden drilling
systems to 36”
• Cluster drills to 72”
• Auxiliary products like
air compressors, generators,
pneumatic and
hydraulic hammers
• Casing and tooling
• Core drilling supplies
• Or just the technical advice
to put the plan together, we
can make it work.
Some of the largest (and smallest)
contractors in the country
call on Atlas Copco
when putting a project
together…you can too.