Application of Continuous Drilling Technologies in Coal Mining

CRCMining’s unique Tight Radius Drilling technology has recently demonstrated highly productive continuous drilling in a Bowen Basin coal formation. The system has been demonstrated to be economically deployable and reliably operable by drilling contractors. A detailed overview of the system is presented, including a summary of the technology status in terms of technical performance, system productivity and stimulation cost. Investigation of the application of continuous drilling technology is currently being extended to underground in-seam (cross panel) drilling and rapid roof bolt hole drilling for long tendon support. An update on these ACARP/CRCMining co-funded research initiatives is presented.