DRILLS: Canada’s first Epiroc Boomer S2 C hard at work

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Eldorado Gold’s Lamaque mine is the first mining company in Canada to receive the new Epiroc Boomer S2 C. The rig has been hard at work since Jan. 18 at its gold project in Val d’Or, QC. [caption id="attachment_1003722066" align="alignleft" width="300"] Epiroc’s Boomer S2 C shares the productivity and precision of bigger versions, but it is built for narrow vein mining or tunneling.[/caption] The size of the Boomer S2 C face drilling rig makes it ideal for mining or narrow tunneling applications up to 56 sq. metres. With BMH 6814 feeds, the 4WD articulated rig is 12.2 metres long and 2.0 metres wide with a 42° turning radius. Optional BMHT telescopic feeds are available for bolting operations. Coverage area at the face with BUT HD29 booms is 45 sq. metres, reaching up to 6.2 metres high by 9.3 metres wide. Optional, true top-mounted robust BUT S booms give the Boomer S2 a reach of up to a 6.6 x 9.4 metres with faster boom and feed movements. Top-mounted booms are easier to position, improve operator visibility, offer better crosscut functionality and reduce over-break and costs. The carrier is powered by a powerful Deutz 90 kW TCD 3.6 Tier 4 Final diesel engine. Eldorado mine superintendent Gilbert Bouffard said the smaller rig gives the two-year-old project versatility for both ramp development as well as production blasthole drilling. “Technology is continuously revolutionizing the mining field,” Bouffard said, “and this generation of Epiroc face drilling rigs can play a huge role in helping a mine like Eldorado reach its objectives.” “There is no other rig like it,” said Ghislain Macameau, Epiroc account manager. “It’s the only computer optimized jumbo of its size in the world right now.” The Boomer S2 C operates on Epiroc’s proprietary rig control system, currently RCS 5. Blaine Vatcher, Epiroc Canada product manager underground equipment, said, “RCS 5 is simpler for the operators to learn and use. The modern GUI with touch screen allows operators to adjust drilling patterns on the fly and onboard manuals really help customers get more meters of advance every day.” Automated options include ABC regular drill plan handling, enabling precise control over drilling and the use of longer feeds for longer rounds; measure while drilling (MWD) for logging and analyzing drill data; bolt view; and rig remote access. The patterns created by blasthole engineers on the surface are exactly reproduced by the drill at the face. Precision ground control helps mines establish and maintain a high quality cut-off value, minimize over-break, reduce waste and dilution. It also creates smooth, competent walls and ceilings that require fewer rock bolts to control ground movement. The result is significantly increased productivity and efficiency. Although other rock drill models are available, the Boomer S2 C rig comes standard with the new COP MD20 underground hydraulic rock drills, designed for blastholes 43 to 64 mm in diameter on T38 rods. The 20 kW MD20 rock drills not only give the Boomer S2 C the power of a larger drill without larger electrical motors, they also run longer between servicing thanks to improved hose life, sealed mating surfaces and fewer housing parts. Holes are drilled with up to 10 to 15 percent faster penetration rates than the nearest competitor. This Boomer shares the same operating system as larger Epiroc rigs, making training and cross-training easier for operators of any generation or experience level. Simulator training for underground rigs is available through Epiroc. Epiroc, formerly part of the Atlas Copco Group, has a new website at www.Epiroc.com.