Locals develop “revolutionary” rig
An Adelaide-based research group unveiled today a new technology it says has the “potential to revolutionise mineral exploration around the world”.
The prototype of the world’s first Coiled Tubing Drill Rig (CT Rig) for mineral exploration was launched in conjunction with the Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre (DET CRC) Annual Conference at the Brukunga Drilling Research and Training Facility in the Adelaide Hills.
DET CRC Chief Executive Officer Richard Hillis said the CT Rig promises to significantly reduce the time and expense associated with drilling operations to find new mineral deposits.
“The launch of the prototype CT Rig comes at a vital time for the mining industry,” he said.
“More than ever, we need to find cost-effective methods of minerals exploration.
“Currently, 80 per cent of Australia’s minerals production comes from mines that were discovered more than 30 years ago, yet more than 50 per cent of Australia’s export income comes from mining.
“Based on current rates of exploitation, half of Australia’s existing major non-bulk commodity mines could close down within 7 to 18 years.
“The economic risks for Australia are enormous unless new mineral deposits are discovered.”
Hillis said the CT Rig has the potential to significantly lower the cost per metre drilled.
Stay informed, daily
“By significantly reducing the time and expense to find mineral deposits hidden under deep rock, it will encourage more mineral exploration both in Australia and worldwide.”
Instead of many separate drill rods (pieces of straight steel pipe screwed together to get the drill bit to the bottom of the hole), the CT Rig uses a continuous reel of tubing which eliminates manual handling of drill rods, and maximises the time the drill bit is actually at the bottom of the hole drilling.
The prototype rig launched today currently uses steel tubing, but DET CRC will experiment with innovative tubing materials such as carbon fibre.
DET CRC was established in 2010 under the Australian Government’s CRC program. The CRC program provides funding to build critical mass in research ventures between end users and researchers to deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits across Australia.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
