The collaboration will see Element Six use its polycrystalline diamond cutting technology with Master Drilling’s mechanised services for the mining and energy sectors. This will deliver a new synthetic diamond-enabled tunnelling solution. The companies claim that this partnership will reduce more than 17% in waste rock generation compared to traditional tunnelling operations.
Testing and Results
The technology has been previously tested both underground and surface conditions in the UK and South Africa.
The Challenge of Tunnel Construction
"Achieving high quality, nonexplosive tunnel construction with various aspects of value generated compared to traditional rock excavation methods is a key global challenge for tunnel builders—a challenge that Master Drilling and Element Six are uniquely positioned to address," said Koos Jordaan, executive director of Master Drilling.
Combining Technologies for Better Productivity
"By combining our technologies and expertise, we can offer quality tunnel development with competitive productivity, lower costs and reduced waste, enabling safer, faster, and more economical tunnel construction. This innovation holds great potential for expanding underground operations in industries such as mining, energy, transportation, and infrastructure."
Overcoming Tunnel Challenges
Underground tunnels provide access to mineral resources and transportation routes. In mining, they provide transportation and ventilation networks. Tunnelling comes with challenges such as geological unpredictability, water ingress, and waste generation.
Revolutionising Tunnel Development with Synthetic Diamonds
The Element Six and Master Drilling partnership introduces a synthetic diamond-enabled solution designed to tackle these challenges and significantly increase tunnelling development speed, reducing costs, and minimising the environmental impact of tunnel construction.
