39 APRIL 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Fully Automated Blasthole Drilling Improves Safety and Production Adapted from Information by FLANDERS, Inc. The mining industry is no stranger to automation with engineers worldwide working toward complete automation in open-pit mining. However, they often encounter site-specific variables requiring machines to think and solve problems, overwhelming the overall operation. Despite these challenges, significant advances have been made to improve technology for repetitive processes like blasthole drilling. The ARDVARC Drill Control System (ADS) was initially developed to enhance fragmentation and ensure operator safety by preventing accidents near highwalls. The system consists of one-touch, teleremote, and autonomous configurations. The semiauto drill system combines the data management system with one-touch drill control, offering consistent performance and functionality. The teleremote configuration uses line of sight or remote access from up to 650 feet, removing the operator from dangerous areas. The system transforms the site into a safer and more effective mining operation. The autonomous system takes it a step further by integrating an automatic propel and positioning system, in addition to an option for remote autonomous operation capabilities while retaining onetouch functionality. Over 245 drills worldwide utilize the ARDVARC system, with over 28 drill types converted to ARDVARC control systems. According to Joshua Goodwin, director of autonomy at FLANDERS, clients are experiencing significant benefits, including improved fragmentation and productivity increases up to 30%. Some customers also appreciate the safety aspect operating remotely for operations near highwalls, which allows operators to work close to the toe or edge without the risk of a highwall failure. The drills interpret preprogrammed blast designs and consistently drill the entire round with minimal or no human intervention. The system’s proprietary algorithms detect potential issues, such as hole plugging, and automatically adjust the drilling process to prevent problems. A sensorless vibration detection system monitors the bit and identifies situations where the drill may get stuck in the hole. The system also provides comprehensive data on drill performance, health, strata mapping, and customized reports for maintenance and production. The ARDVARC Autonomous system offers complete autonomous drill control, improving drill performance and productivity while keeping operators away from hazardous areas. Goodwin explained, “The ARDVARC drill control system allows blasthole drillers to operate the machines in data collection/GPS positioning mode, a semiautonomous mode, or fully autonomous mode.” In autonomous mode, there are no operators on the machine, and human interaction is limited to determining the sequence in which the holes are drilled. In semiautomated drilling, the machine operator manually propels the machine to each hole location. Pressing a single button on the operator interface initiates the One-Touch drill cycle, which includes leveling, collaring, drilling, and retracting the drill bit and jacks. Once the cycle is completed, the operator switches the machine to propel mode and moves to the following hole location, restarting the process. At any time, the operator can take control of the automated drilling process and then return the drill to autonomous mode. The ARDVARC system has been implemented in over 31 mine sites worldwide. Additionally, each autonomous system includes a short-range remote control, allowing the operator to be far away from the drill when drilling needs to be done below an existing highwall or near the edge of a potentially unstable highwall. EXB
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