The Internal-Combustion Drill Breaker newly developed by Kaishan Group together with JCHX was successfully commissioned and utilized in Pulang Copper Mine for two weeks, this development is treated as a “magical device” for dealing with boulder in block caving mine and is an unprecedented application in China.
Although block caving is one of the most advanced mining methods globally, there is a big disadvantage – high boulder yield during early stage of application, which also is a frequent problem for all the block caving mines elsewhere. High hang-ups caused by boulders, deformation and caving of drift due to the increased ground pressure are the major challenges in application of this method.
In early stage, hand drill and Boomer 281 Jumbo were utilized together with blasting to break the boulders in Pulang Copper Mine. However, the process is rather time-consuming, labor intensive, and low efficient because the air ducts, water pipes and power cables need to be shifted and extended frequently to deal with boulders in different draw bell; thus, interfering with the requirement of large-scale production. Another solution previously was using mobile rock breaker, which also turned out to be time-consuming and low efficient.
Under such circumstances, project team vigorously conducted research on new technique and processes. A trouble-shooting panel was formed under the leadership of Mr. Junhua YANG, Project Manager of Pulang, to work out a solution with no necessity for air, water and power extension. After several rounds of expounded argumentation and assessment by experts, with the support from branch offices and Headquarters, and through technical exchanges with some famous local mining equipment manufacturers, Kaishan Group was finally chosen for developing such equipment together with JCHX.
Mainly targeting at breaking boulders, the newly developed internal combustion drill breaker uses diesel engine as power source for all mechanisms, instead of dual-driven system which is widely used internationally (i.e. diesel-driven movement plus motor-driven mechanism). In addition, the carrier is equipped with water tank and pump, to avoid the necessity for air, water and power extension from site, hence creating much more freedom and flexibility when moving around. Moreover, shorter propulsion beam and shorter drill rod are designed specifically to cater for various positions of boulders in draw bell.
Since the beginning of commissioning, Pulang technical team and site engineers from Kaishan Group have worked day and night to debug and to monitor the operation of equipment. The successful commissioning and utilization of this equipment brought four main advantages, firstly higher efficiency – breaking more than 1000 boulders per day; secondly lower cost; thirdly enhanced safety – especially when breaking low hang-ups in the draw bell; fourthly, increased productivity and reduced labor intensity. More importantly, timely and rapid treatment to the boulders largely released the ground pressure, eliminating the “intestinal obstruction” for block caving mines, it is fair to say this development is a breakthrough and pioneering achievement for Pulang Copper Mine, meanwhile it’s worthy extensive promotion in mining market.
