Hexagon’s Mining division is taking a step ahead in AI-based drill automation with the acquisition of Drill Help from Arizona-based Phoenix Drill Management, LLC.
The Drill Help know-how developed by Phoenix Drill Management makes use of synthetic intelligence to repeatedly optimise the drilling course of, leading to improved penetration charges, higher machine availability, and dependable downhole knowledge.
Hexagon EVP, Mining, Dave Goddard described Drill Help’s advantages as vital. “The know-how considerably improves drill penetration charge, permitting our clients to get elevated worth out of the tools they already personal,” mentioned Goddard. “The know-how additionally offers extremely correct downhole knowledge that can be utilized to detect hardness variations and fracture zones, permitting mining clients to enhance blast and fragmentation, and vastly cut back power consumption per ton mined.”
Early adopters of the know-how have additionally linked a profit to improved operator consistency and efficiency. “You possibly can put any operator on the drill, and they’re going to carry out higher than a well-seasoned and productive driller,” mentioned a Drill & Blast Engineer at a Midwestern, US iron-ore mine that has been utilizing the know-how.
“The know-how simplifies operator coaching and immediately will increase the productiveness and high quality of drilled holes,” added Goddard. “Inside our materials motion portfolio, Drill Help will play a pivotal position in our clients’ blast planning and autonomous drilling.” Monetary particulars of the asset buy weren’t disclosed.
