Analysis of Blast Hole Drilling at Siberian Open Pit Mines

This article presents operational data and their statistical analysis for open pit mines in Krasnoyarsk krai and Khakassia. Evaluation criterion of operation efficiency of drilling machinery is presented together with its actual values. Specific costs of drilling rig operation and unit costs of drilling tools per 1 linear meter (LM) of drilled well are presented. The structure of prime cost of machine shift of rig operation is described. Operation efficiency of drilling machinery is analyzed for some Siberian mining companies on the basis of field trials: AO Polyus, AO Rusal–Achinsk, Gorievski GOK (mining and processing company), as well as Chernogorsk, East Beiski and Izykhski opencast coal mines (Khakassia). It has been determined that Russian drilling rigs are less mobile and efficient in comparison with foreign analogs. However, this drawback is compensated by significantly lower cost of the machinery and low unit costs of well drilling per 1 LM. Appropriate recommendations are given.