For decades, large-diameter blasthole drilling has relied on rotary tools or pneumatic DTH systems. Both approaches suffer significant energy losses between the power source and the rock face – especially when seeking higher penetration rates.
Mincon says its new Hybrid Impact Technology™ (HIT), formerly referred to as Greenhammer, replaces compressed air with hydraulic energy, transferring power to the bit more directly with reduced energy loss. “The result is a proven combination of higher penetration rates through dramatically improved energy efficiency and significantly decreased fuel usage, which together reduce total drilling cost (TDC).”
It says it is the culmination of R&D dating back to 2013 and builds on Mincon’s pioneering work in developing high-efficiency air-powered rock drilling solutions for mining, construction, and renewable energy. “That extensive expertise, combined with Mincon’s innovative spirit, helped to refine and develop this patented new hydraulic DTH technology during field testing in demanding conditions, from Australia to Arizona.”
In extensive mine testing, drilling 10⅝” (270 mm) hole size on an adapted Epiroc PV271 drill rig, at an Arizona copper mine, a HIT-powered system demonstrated significant increases in drilling speed and reductions in fuel usage per foot drilled compared to the mine’s current rotary drilling method. These speed gains and fuel savings combined to significantly reduce the total drilling cost (TDC) of drilling operations, along with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions, supporting decarbonisation goals without compromising production.
Under a three-year exclusive collaboration, Mincon and Epiroc will be integrating Hybrid Impact Technology™ on Epiroc’s rotary blasthole drill rigs. Mincon’s hydraulic DTH expertise and Epiroc’s market-leading Pit Viper single-pass drill rigs will bring this technology into everyday production across global sites.
The technology is designed for large-diameter single-pass blast hole drilling in medium to hard rock conditions for open-pit mining applications. Mincon and Epiroc plan further pilot deployments while progressing system integration and production. They are working together to integrate HIT into Epiroc blasthole rigs, combining Mincon tooling with Epiroc hardware, software, and control systems to deliver a production-ready hydraulic DTH solution. Additional technical details and availability timelines will be shared in the coming months.
“HIT has been designed to deliver a step change in drilling performance for the mining industry. The long-term future demand for mined minerals, along with global decarbonisation goals, will require systems that offer much higher productivity while lowering carbon emissions. We’re incredibly proud to bring this technology, in collaboration with Epiroc, to the mining market as a showcase of our innovation and collective capabilities,” said Joe Purcell, CEO, Mincon Group.
“Epiroc is excited to embark on this long-term collaboration journey with Mincon and combine our advanced drilling technologies to raise the efficiency and performance in the large blasthole drilling activities of our customers and set a new standard in the industry. We are proud to be able to support the mining industry with a new, next level, sustainable drilling solution that will support the mining industry to reach their environmental goals,” said Martin Hjerpe, President, Epiroc Tools Division.
