Approximating diamond drill rod wear

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 95, No. 1066, 2002

P. Radziszewski, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec and R. Laplante and P. De Ciccio, Bradley W.M. Manufacturing, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec

Predicting the effect of wear can lead to improved control strategies that can possibly minimize the risk of catastrophic failure due to wear while maximizing useable life. In the field of geological exploration, diamond drill rod wear illustrates just such a case. Wear conditions vary with geological formations and compositions. The objective of this paper is to determine a general relationship, based in theory and practice, that will approximate drill rod wear and therefore predict remaining drill rod life in the context of Canadian, Australian and South American drilling campaigns. Simulation results allow the definition of simple graphical tools that permit the estimation of the potential drill depth remaining on a given drill rod string.