[VIDEO] Atlas Copco Launches New Mobile Rig for On-Site Efficiency

Atlas Copco, a global company committed to sustainable productivity, has delivered a new mobile rig for boring “opening hole” in mines. The Easer, set to launch sometime in 2014, will be able to develop both box hole boring and down-reaming without needed any site preparation before use.

The name Easer comes from the expression “ease off” – as in to take off or release pressure. Specifically in mining, the term is used in reference to the blasthole into which rock expands during blasting.

The Easer can produce opening holes with a maximum diameter of 750mm, and a hole depth of 60 meters. The rig uses the standard 200mm (or 8 inch) boring rods and a 228mm (or 9 inch) pilot drill bit. Traditional raiseboring rigs offer box hole boring, down-reaming, and conventional raiseboring; the Easer offers these same drilling modes. To switch from box hole boring to down-reaming on the gear, the gearbox is rotated 180 degrees. This operation can be easily carried out in an underground workshop. In raiseboring mode, the Easer can drill up to 1,200mm.

All necessary operation equipment for the Easer rig is part of the carrier, with the exception of the rods and the setup produce. A new feature of to this family of rigs, the setup procedure does not require any site preparation, saving valuable time and money.

Development of this new rig from Atlas Copco was spurred by an increase in demand for a highly mobile and versatile rig – one that was designed to create opening holes safely and efficiently.

 “Our mission in developing the Easer has been to speed up the operation,” said product manager Johnny Lyly. “The timeframe for drilling a 40-meter opening hole, from setup to take down is less than 30 hours, and set up/take down is done in less than one hour.”