WorldWide Drilling Resource

Serving the Drilling Industry www.starironworks.com 257 Caroline Street Punxsutawney, PA 15767 800-927-0560 • 814-427-2555 Fax: 814-427-5164 Need something special? Talk to us - we’ll make it happen faster than you think. New Mobile Tunnel Boring Solution Coming Soon Adapted from Information by Master Drilling Group Limited South Africa-based Master Drilling Group Limited recently unveiled its new, internationally patented disruptive Mobile Tunnel Boring (MTB) solution, which is due to be commissioned later this year. The company’s MTB technology was developed in response to the growing demand from clients, and the mining industry at large, for a cost-effective mechanized tunneling contract service, addressing safety and efficiency challenges on new and existing operations. Danie Pretorius, CEO of Master Drilling said, “This disruptive technology allows continuous mining and requires no blasting, thereby significantly enhancing mining efficiencies. It is as advantageous at the capital stage of mining projects, with quicker deployment and access to the ore body, as it is at the production stage through substantial productivity increase when opening up blocks of ground or increasing a mine’s footprint.” The MTB solution can bore out an excavation roughly 14-18 feet in diameter at much faster rates than conventional tunnel construction methods. It can also deliver infrastructure solutions such as for declines, ramps, haulages, and contact tunnels in hard rock. Its modular construction makes it possible to retrofit existing operations. Koos Jordaan, executive director of Master Drilling said, “The concept phase of our MTB started in April 2017, and after consideration of various alternatives, we made the decision to pursue a collaborative option in the market to realize the concept. We are pleased to have partnered with Italy’s Seli Technologies, a company with half a century’s experience principally in civil mechanized tunneling, to manufacture and assist us during operation of our first MTB.” The process involves excavation, support, and waste removal, creating a smooth circular excavation without disturbing the sidewalls of the tunnel. The geometry creates a stable and strong tunnel. Since the process does not use explosives, it also increases the on-face time and delivers higher production advances in a cost-effective way. “As a solution-driven company delivering a fully mechanized range of services to clients, we will continue to invest in R&D [research and development] as this new service is adopted and matures. We believe this solution presents substantial future growth opportunities for Master Drilling; and we plan to order new MTBs on a continuous basis, with the second machine planned for early 2019,” concluded Pretorius. Master Drilling’s MTB solution will be deployed through a newly established and dedicated division, Master Tunnelling. Master Drilling is also exploring other opportunities in the civil tunneling industry. C&G 24 JULY 2018 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®