Salva-Vida Drill Steel Retrieval Sling
DESCRIPTION
The “Drill Steel Retrieval Sling” is designed to arrest “stuck” drilling rods from the face after blasting and prevent associated damages to equipment. It is common practice to use drill steel for the drilling of shot holes, support holes and for securing objects.
PURPOSE
The purpose of drill steel retrieval sling is to prevent damage to equipment and plant by arresting the “stuck” drill steel during blasting operations, including time and production delays the loose drill steel might cause to muck removal systems and during milling. The drill steel being retrieved will increase safety, efficiency, less tire damage while cleaning, delays in cleaning activities, conveyor belt damage, mitigate ore pass blockages, tip blockages, belt damage and plant delays due to a used drill steel getting into the system.
FEATURES
It is not uncommon for drill steel to get stuck during drilling and most of the time it takes great effort to remove the stuck drill steel in a conventional way. Mostly the stuck drill steel is blasted out when the face is blasted at the end of shift. Drill steels that get stuck are caused by inadequate water pressure, inadequate air pressure, fragile ground conditions and excessively worn drill bits preventing the grid from bypassing the stem of the drill steel.
Apart from the fact that drill steel is an expensive commodity, it can also cause damage when it is concealed in the muck. It can cause blocked ore passes due to obstruction(s), runaways if the drill steel comes between radial door and the chute whilst opening the door, conveyer-belt and tips damage, structural damage to and in the Plant and structural damage to service piping if blasted out.
The “Drill Steel Retrieval Sling” plays an important role in the following aspects of the removal of a drill steel:
Safety feature
Removes the operator from the face area, prevents serious injury and/or death (where the necessary safety measures are adhered to as stipulated in the mining house induction training). Prevents major damage to equipment including but not limited to, structures, ventilation ducting, conveyor belts, support packs etc. caused by the drill steel shards in the blasted material and obstructions in the ore passes.
Reduces standing time
By preventing the risk of major damage to equipment, structures, conveyor belts, vehicles etc. downtime for repairs will be are limited.
Cost saving mechanism
In reducing downtime caused by the damage to structures and equipment, costs are saved which in turn prevents the mining house from over-spending which includes but is not limited to overtime of workers, repairs and replacement of damaged equipment and structures, etc.
INSTALLATION
The securing of the retrieval sling must be done when drilling is completed but before any explosives are brought to the work face for charging.
Securing the retrieval sling to the stuck drill steel
The retrieval sling is equipped with a securing mechanism on one end and a spliced soft eye on the other end. The end with the securing mechanism is secured to the stuck drill steel.
Securing the retrieval sling to the hanging wall
The retrieval sling is secured to a rope sling eyebolt (or similar attaching point) that is installed into the hanging or side wall. A Crosby shackle is laced through the loop of the retrieval sling and the loop of the sling eyebolt. Once completed the Crosby shackle bolt is installed to keep the sling and the rope sling intac
Securing the retrieval sling to the hanging wall
The retrieval sling is secured to a rope sling eyebolt (or similar attaching point) that is installed into the hanging or side wall. A Crosby shackle is laced through the loop of the retrieval sling and the loop of the sling eyebolt. Once completed the Crosby shackle bolt is installed to keep the sling and the rope sling intact.
REMOVAL OF STUCK DRILL STEEL AFTER BLASTING HAS BEEN CONDUCTED
The “Drill Steel Retrieval Sling” is designed to prevent drill steel loss and associated damages, as mentioned before. The one end of the sling is attached to the stuck drill steel by means of a securing device and clamp assembly and the other end of the sling is secured to the hanging or side wall. Once blasting has been conducted, the retrieved drill steel will remain attached to the sling and can be safely removed before the commencement of the cleaning operation. The drill steel and drill steel retriever must be removed by removing the drill steel first from the drill steel retriever and then from the drill steel retriever from the hanging wall. The drill steel retriever and drill steel that was retrieved must be staged at a safe place for the drilling crew to be able to re-use it again.
PATENT No. 2021/05544
