An Application of Multi-Sonic Drilling and Hovercraft Technology for Core Sampling a Sand/ Kaolin Tailings Basin

摘要

Most mine and plant operations generate significant quantities of tailings over the life of the operation. The tailings are commonly accumulated in constructed basins or holding pond areas. Finding an outlet or use for the tailings is an on-going challenge to industry. Defining the characteristics of tailings can be a difficult task as most often the tailings have been deposited over numerous years and the tailings ponds are not accessible utilizing conventional sampling equipment. This paper details the drilling of sand/kaolin tailings using multi-sonic drilling technology developed by MPI Drilling in conjunction with the U.S. Geologic Survey. The site is located at U.S. Silica's Kosse, Texas operation. The drilling system combines sonic drilling sampling methodology with hovercraft maneuverability. Results show that the multi-sonic drilling method is capable of obtaining continuous un-contaminated core samples of the tailings. The hovercraft was also found to be maneuverable around and in the worst possible combination of unconsolidated and semi-consolidated sand/kaolin tailings.