Australian drilling fleet put to the test in remote mining application - Atlas Copco UK

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Australian drilling fleet put to the test in remote mining application

September 10, 2018

Earlier this year Atlas Copco Rental Oceania expanded its fleet by acquiring four DrillAir Y1260s, portable and versatile air compressors designed specifically for drilling applications. Recently, Egan Drilling put this fleet to the test in a demanding application at a Lithium mine in remote Western Australia.

Egan Drilling is a drilling contractor based out of Perth, Western Australia that specializes in all areas of reverse circulation and water bore drilling. With drill rigs across the WA region they’re well known in the industry for providing effective, efficient results. While their drill rigs are complete with both an on-board compressor and booster, certain applications require a high flow rate not provided by a single compressor. This is where Atlas Copco Rental’s fleet of mobile, high-pressure compressors comes in. One such application took place recently at a remote Lithium mine in Western Australia. The project required the client to obtain numerous drilling samples for the potential expansion of the mine. The samples needed to be obtained at a depth of 500 meters. To ensure the project was completed in the most efficient manner possible, Egan Drilling employed Atlas Copco Rental to provide the additional CFM needed. Our Sales Engineers recommend the new DrillAir Y1260 as the best machine for the job. Most high pressure / high flow compressors operate at a maximum of 25 bar, but the Y1260 can achieve 35 bar pressure while maintaining a flow of 1300 CFM. In addition, Atlas Copco’s new DrillAirXpert technology allows complete control over the flow and pressure from the control panel – increasing drilling speed by up to 30% and giving the user hassle-free control over the compressor. The client connected our Y1260 to their already considerable on-board compressor. This provided a total flow of 2,500 CFM at a pressure of 30 bar, which was fed into the booster for a final pressure of 69 bar. Using the reverse circulation drilling method, the client was then able to extract the samples they needed. The job was completed efficiently and thoroughly.

The Atlas Copco XRYS 1260 still had the price tag on it when we picked it up. We strapped the unit down to our 8x8 and off it went up to the Pilbara. The unit didn’t miss a beat over the entire length of the project. Purred like a kitten 24 hours a day in the hot and dusty climate of the North West. Very easy to adjust pressures and various other settings. We have already put dibs on it for our next drill program!

David Minutillo , Operations Manager Egan Drilling

For more information please contact:

Ben Hindle +61 419 511 651 ben.hindle@au.atlascopco.com

Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers through its innovative compressors, vacuum solutions, generators, pumps, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and services focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2017, Atlas Copco (excluding Epiroc AB) had revenues of BSEK 86 (BEUR 9) and about 34 000 employees. Learn more at www.atlascopcogroup.com. Specialty Rental is a division within Atlas Copco’s Power Technique business area. It serves customers in all industry segments around the world with temporary air, power, flow, steam and nitrogen rental solutions. The specialty rental services are offered under several brands. The divisional headquarters is located in Belgium.

Australian drilling fleet put to the test in remote mining application

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