Examining of rock drilling properties in underground metal mine excavation

Abstract

In underground metal mines, drilling and blasting is widely used production method. Drilling holes is especially a time consuming operation. The aim of this study is to examine and analyze drilling operation and its duration in underground ore and dead rock. Drillability experiments are carried out on samples taken from the field. In core sampling two different types of core samples are taken whether it is parallel or perpendicular to ore bedding and dead rock. Results of drillability experiments are compared between the two types of core samples. DRI values are found to be 51 and 47 for the parallel and perpendicular core samples to ore bedding, respectively. DRI values for the parallel and perpendicular core samples to dead rock bedding are found to be 57 and 55 for the, respectively. In addition, graphs of drilling speed and drilling depth belonging to ore and dead rock are analyzed. It is examined that drilling speed increases steadily to maximum point in the first 5sec. and stays stable after that point. Therefore, it is concluded that production galleries and holes which are formed parallel to bedding would increase production efficiency.

Key words
Drillability; brittleness; bedding types; rock mechanics