WHY DIAMOND

DRILLING
Exploration drilling to indicate (prove)
possible presence of profitable metals or
minerals and determine the shape and
composition of the deposit.
Deposit limit drilling for the planning of the continous
expansion and development of the the existing
mine. Gives information about the limits of the
deposits, metal content and the quality of the rock
surrounding the deposit.

Special core drilling. For example pilot holes

for raise shafts, dewatering holes and media holes
where the straightness is of greatest importance.
 Exploration drilling in tunnels to get an understanding of the
rock quality that lies ahead.
 Drilling for reinforcement of existing building
foundations,dams, locks etc. Geoscientific drilling.
 Wire anchoring holes in bridges and other structures.
 Investigation of pylons and abutments.
 Removal of rock bolts.
Minimal vibrations.
Hole straightness and precision

Limited noise level.

Core sampling.
 Tungston carbide core bit
Tungston Carbide core bit

TC octagonal insert Carbide chip type

Saw tooth type

Tungston carbide non core bit

Tungston carbide non core bit

Roller type
Button type
 Surface set non core bit Impregnated non core bit PCD Non core bit

Surface set core bit Impregnated core bit PCD Non core bit
 This type of bit uses seismic grade tungsten-
carbide as the cutting media. Tungsten-carbide
does not possess the hardness of diamond and
as such has a limited range of application as a
core drilling cutting media. Tungsten-carbide
bits are however a very cost effective means of
drilling softer unconsolidated formations.
The impregnated diamond core bit has emerged as the most commonly used
type in the mineral exploration industry. The advantages of using
impregnated diamond core bits over bits manufactured with other cutting
media include :
An extremely wide range of application.

A simple bit crown geometry that makes them less susceptible to in-hole

damage than bits manufactured with other types of cutting media and as such
are more tolerant of changing or banded geological formations.
Their multi-layered cutter arrangement results in better overall bit life than

bits produced with other types of cutting media.

They are particularly well suited for drilling in hard, consolidated and non-

abrasive formations.
As the name suggests, the surface-set diamond bit differs from the
impregnated type in that they are set with a single layer of natural
industrial drill diamond on the working surfaces of the bit crown in a
pre-determined pattern.
Prior to 1980, surface-set diamond bits were dominant as the
preferred type used in mineral exploration activities. In recent times,
the use of surface-set diamond bits has diminished significantly in
favour of bits that employ engineered, synthetic cutting media such as
the impregnated and thermally stable polycrystalline (TSP) types.
Technological improvements related to the synthesis of mesh-size
diamond crystals and TSP elements have expanded the application
ranges of impregnated and TSP bits to the point that surface-set natural
diamond bits have become largely superfluous
2
Very fractured, soft Shale,Limestone
to medium hard Gypsum,Potash
abrasive rock.
3

4 Fractured medium Sandstone,Dolomite

hard abrasive rock. Tuffs,Schists

5
Hard, moderately Basalt,Pegmatite
abrasive rock. Diabase,Gabbro
6

7 Lower the series ,

Hard, nonabrasive Harder the matrix
Gneiss,Granite
rock.
Porphyry,Quartzite
8

Very hard nonabrasive Quartz,Taconite

9 rock. Jasper,Chert
Bit Chart
 In order to cut rock, a diamond bit needs
certain things.
 Rotation
 Feed Force
 Water
 Of these, water is the most important for the
life and performance of your bit by providing
flushing and cooling.
 Feed Force and Rotation are what cut the rock,
so they control your productivity, as well as bit
life
 Water pumped down the rods transports the cuttings away from
the rock face so that the bit continues to cut new rock.

 If water flow is too low, the bit will continue to drill the old
cuttings, wearing it out more quickly and potentially mudding
your bit.

 If water flow is too high, the water can wash away broken core,
reducing recovery. It can also increase the torque required to drill.
 As a bit cuts through the rock, a lot of heat is generated. If the
temperature of the bit gets too high
 In general, rotation speed is:
 Low in soft formations.
 Moderate to high in medium formations.
 Moderate in hard formations.
 If rotation speed is too high or low, the bit can glaze.
 A constant bit weight is important for good
productivity and bit life.
 There are two components of bit weight: Feed Force
and Rod Weight. It is important to remember that the
force generated by the drill is not equal to the bit
weight.
 In general:
 Soft formations use low bit weight
 Medium formations use moderate bit weight
 Hard formations use higher bit weight
 IMPREGNATED BIT   SURFACE SET BIT  
ROCK BIT WEIGHT BIT RPM BIT WEIGHT BIT RPM
SIZE HARDNESS lb(pound) kg   SIZE lb(pound) kg  
A HARD 4000-6000 1800-2725 1200-1800 A 1500-2500 700-1150 800-1500
  MEDIUM 3000-5000 1350-2275          
  SOFT 2000-4000 900-1800 1000-1400        
B/B3 HARD 5000-8000 2275-3650   B 2000-3000 900-1350 600-1200
  MEDIUM 3500-6000 1600-2725 1000-1200 B3 2000-3500 900-1600  
  SOFT 2500-3500 1150-1600 800-1200        
N/N3 HARD 6000-8000 2725-3650 1000-1200 N 3000-5000 1350-2275 400-1000
  MEDIUM 4000-6000 1800-2725 800-1200 N3 3500-5500 1600-2475  
  SOFT 2500-3500 1150-1600 600-1000        
H/H3 HARD 6000-10000 2725-4550 800-1000 H 5000-7500 2275-3375 200-700
  MEDIUM 4000-8000 1800-3650 600-1000 H3 5000-8000 2275-3650  
  SOFT 3000-6000 1350-2725 600-800        
P/P3 HARD 6000-12000 2725-5500 400-600 P 7500-11000 3375-4950 150-450
  MEDIUM 5000-10000 2275-4550   P3 7500-11500 3375-5175  
  SOFT 4000-8000 1800-3650 300-500        
 gpm(US gallon per minute) l/min (litre per minute)
IMPREGNATED BIT SURFACE SET BIT IMPREGNATED BIT SURFACE SET BIT
SIZE  
A 5.0-6.0 2.0-3.0 19.0-23.0 8.0-12.0

B/B3 5.0-6.1 2.0-3.1 27.0-36.0 15.0-19.0

N/N3 5.0-6.2 2.0-3.2 36.0-45.0 19.0-26.0

H/H3 5.0-6.3 2.0-3.3 45.0-55.0 23.0-42.0

P/P3 5.0-6.4 2.0-3.4 75.0-110.0 38.0-57.0

*NOTE- Bit weight ,bit rpm and drilling fluid flow rates may all have to be adjusted to specific drilling

conditins(diamond quality,bit profile ,size,shape and number of diamonds,formation drilled,etc)

 An alternative method for monitoring proper
feed rate is by measuring penetration rate
relative to rotation. If this number is low, wear
will increase. If it is too high, the bit will polish.
 Ideally, the driller should aim for 80-100
rotations per cm of penetration (200-250
rotations per inch)
 800 rpm divided by 10cm/min = 80 r/cm
 800 rpm divided by 4 in/min = 200 rpi
 The geologist may have indicated in the bid request.
 A rock or core sample may be available
 A Property, Mineral Deposit map may be of some help
 The contractor may have a bit history from previous jobs
 Rock samples and core samples can be studied and tested for
hardness.
 Bit charts may be consulted.
 Matrix and waterways are the variables.
 A small selection of bits to begin the job are mobilized.
 Once drilling, the driller ultimately chooses the bits to be used
after some trials.
 Inner tube won’t latch

 Sudden increase of water pressure

 Sudden increase of torque or resistance indicates that the bit

maybe mudding or will fail soon
 Common Wear Types
Concave Face Wear (rounded towards ID)
.
Causes
A. Rod rpm is too low
for the penetration rate.
 Common Wear Types
Convex Face Wear (rounded to OD)
.
Causes
A. Insufficient
drilling fluid flow.
 Common Wear Types
Gauge loss OD
.

Causes:

A. Lack of
circulation
fluid.
B. Vibration.
 Common Wear Types

Cracked Waterways
.
Causes:
A. Excessive bit load.
.
B. Dropped rod
string.
Common Wear Types
Burnt

Causes:
.
A. Lack of
Fluid.

B. Excessive
bit load.
FACTORS TO INCREASE BIT LIFE

1) Correct Selection of bit type according to purpose/formation.

2) Correct selection of bit series according to hardness of the rock.
3) Correct Selection of bit according to Rig load capacity
4) Correct selection of associated tooling in core barrel.
5) Correct drilling parameters (Feed/Bit weight/RPM/Flushing)
6) Correct flushing medium (Bentonite /polymer/Additive).
7) Bore hole stabilization and controlled deviation.
8) Recycle and treatment of circulation fluid.
9) Continuous monitoring and observation during drilling.
Iron ores occur in a wide variety of
geological environments in igneous,
metamorphic or sedimentary rocks, or as
weathering products of various primary
iron bearing materials. Iron ores can be
grouped into types of similar geological
occurrence, composition and structure.

The following is a simplified classification

which is based on genesis of the deposits
and geological environment. It shows the
main modes of occurrence of iron ores as
well as it illustrates the varied geology of
iron ore deposits.
(a) Igneous ores (b) Contact ores
(c) Hydrothermal ores (d) Sedimentary
ores (e) Metamorphosed iron formations Banded Iron Formation: Close-up view of a
(f) Residual ores banded iron formation. In this specimen bands of

hematite (silver) alternate with bands of jasper  

 As the Iron ore is most heterogeneous
formation ,so the selection of bit is the main
factor to increase the bit life as well as
penetration rate.
 We must monitor the parameters during the
drilling as the formation may changes any time
and that can affect the life of the bit badly.
 Good Selection of associated tools may increase
the bit life remarkably.
 (a) Core recovery : With Selection of proper bit
and good quality of associated tools with
correct drilling parameters, we can get
maximum possible recovery.
 (b) Penetration Rate : With Selection of proper
bit and good quality of associated tools with
correct drilling parameters, we can get
maximum possible recovery.
 MUKESH KUMAR OJHA
PROJECT MANAGER
MINERAL EXPLORATION CORPORATION LIMITED