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Drilledge: Your Partner in Drilling Automation Success

At Drilledge Mining Solutions we are specialist consultants focused on Drilling Operations Improvement, Deployment of Remote and Autonomous Drilling Solutions and Delivering Operator Training for open-cut drill and blast operations.

We are dedicated to implementing best-practices in open-cut blasthole drilling operations

We can benchmark your operations, provide insights into potential performance bottle-necks and upskill your workforce. For miners ready to move into autonomous operations, we bring the hands on experience required for success.

We’ve learned through extensive on-the-job experience, that it’s never as easy as it seems.

Drilledge Mining Solutions Remote Autonomous Drilling Training Development LME eLearning

The World is Changing, Will You Be Ready?

As we emerge to the new normal in a post-pandemic world, the drive towards automation is picking up speed. To be successful with drilling automation it takes the right preparation, a solid foundation of skills, best-practice procedures and proven technologies. We know, because we’ve done it. And we can help you do it too.

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Drilling Operations Improvement

Our engagements address all aspects of your drilling operations to enhance productivity. Our consultants work with you to identify and prioritise the critical drivers of drill rates and cost.

Drill operations are a common bottleneck with our mining clients. We work with our clients to optimise operations through the coordination of external contractors, improving the maintenance of drilling equipment, managing impact of drill times on production and minimising the economic impact of any productivity losses.

Typical improvement approaches in Drill and Blast:

Equipment availability and utilisation
Rig maintenance review and optimisation
Drill management and rig moves
Operator training and skill development

SERVICES PROVIDED TO OPEN CUT OPERATIONS:

Diagnostics & Benchmarking
Drilling Management Operational Improvement
Operations and Maintenance Performance
Equipment Replacement Strategies
Vendor Management and Procurement
Automation Deployment Strategy
Training & Skill Development
Sustainability Models
Mining Industry eLearning

Autonomous Drilling Solutions

We have hands-on experience deploying drilling automation from concept to commissioning. We can help your team build the business case for autonomous drilling and work alongside them to plan and deploy it. Planning, preparation and team work are essential ingredients for success.

Our clients have engaged us to help them move from concept to reality with the setup and operation of remote and fully autonomous drilling platforms, including remote operation centers.

Our training delivery team has developed a world-class training and education program that will up-skill your work force and prepare them to take your operations to the next level of performance and safety.

We help clients ensure their autonomous operations are prepared, safe and sustainable well into the future

Drilledge Mining Solutions Remote Autonomous Drilling Remote Operations Center

SERVICES PROVIDED TO AUTONOMOUS OPERATIONS:

Assist with and/or review business case for autonomous drilling
Plan & manage the deployment of production drills fully autonomously
Design and provide interventions to identified issues
Facilitate industry best practices across sites and optimize efficiency.
Ensure operation of autonomous drilling is sustainable
Delivery of performance figures that match or exceed peers
Systems and processes customised for global operations
Facilitate continuous improvement in uplifting performance
measurable benefits: cost saving, increase in performance, extended life of assets, improved safety and reduction of risk
Benefits realization capture once the systems are fully functional for periods over six monthS

Automation Readiness

Establishment of best-practice site operating model, incorporating client specific business requirements
Assessment and bench-mark current operations against the best-practice model
Gap analysis and development of a strategic roadmap and business case for change
Assistance with presentation of the solution to senior management
Site assessment and infrastructure review
Fleet inventory cataloguing and recommendations for refit and replacement

Automation Project Deployment

Project management planning and change management program
Review and update replacement strategies
Support retro-fits and/or selection and commissioning new equipment
Develop vendor programs to standardise equipment and systems across business units
Identify and develop operational procedures incorporating autonomous into the current operating model
Ensure that the model is suitable/scalable for global roll out
Establish remote operations centre
Develop governance models and establish program management office

Automation Project Assessments

Gather benchmark data and develop initial assessment report
Review the current operating model against our functional best-practice deployment model
Conduct interviews and focus groups to capture details on work-in-progress
Assess the results against our standard autonomous operating model to identify gaps
Develop overall and site-specific recommendations for interventions and course corrections as needed

Autonomous Training Delivery Program

Foundation based on the Drilledge Competency Development Framework
Training materials updated to reflect the operating models at Client sites
Training delivery based on defined roles and responsibilities
Aligned with client business and HR requirements
Deployment training and sustainability framework
Training coordinated with OEM’s to ensure up-to-date content
Includes comprehensive theory and practical assessments
eLearning materials use recognised standards compatible with any LMS

Training Solutions

The core of our training program is a competency-based training program that develop skills on three levels: Base Machine Knowledge, Automated Drilling Functions and Remote & Autonomous Operations. Our training is both theoretical and hands-on. Participants of our training will come away with a keen understanding of the foundations of drilling, improved operations skills and marked improvements on productivity.

All of our training is underpinned with a focus on safe operation of equipment

The framework comprises first a short term, intensely focused training and skills development program. This is followed by a longer term competency development framework with 3 levels of capabilities that we call Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Certifications can be achieved in manual drilling, autonomous drilling or both. Once a student has achieved a level, certifications are renewed annually based on completion of a refresher course and competency assessment covering both theory and practical.

Base Machine Training

Basic drilling theory – Classroom or Online
Manual drilling operations & guidelines
Hands-on coaching and assessments
Suitable for: drill operators, maintainers, supervisors and trainers

Automations Training

Pre-requisite: successful completion of BMT

Drill automation theory – Classroom or Online
Autonomous drilling operations & guidelines
Hands-on coaching and assessments
Suitable for: On and off-site drill operators, mining engineers, maintainers

Drilledge Master Driller Program (DMDP)

Upon completion of Manual and Autonomous training, there is an initial competency-based testing and certification
Annual refresher course with job performance and competency based up-level certification (i.e., Bronze to Silver, Silver to Gold)
Annual refresher course with job performance and competency-based re-certification to maintain Gold level certification

By engaging with Drilledge Mining Solutions for training and competency development, you can identify the best and brightest of your team. We will build a career development program for you focused on retaining and promoting the high performing individuals to more senior levels and developing their skills in mentoring juniors.

Consulting & Productivity

Drilledge Mining Solutions also offers generally consultancy services to Clients that are seeking to improve specific capabilities in their operations.

We can help with rig procurement and replacement strategies and maintenance strategies (manual & autonomous) among others.

Provisioning the advice and tools required for our clients to optimize drilling efficiency to worlds best practice is what we do, and we do it exceptionally well.

Drilledge Drilling Mining Consulting Productivity Services

Consultancy

Drill and Equipment replacement strategies
Consumable management
Measures for extended asset life
Autonomous benefits realisation

Maintenance Systems

Critical spares analysis and advice
Preventative Maintenance – Scheduled checks and replacements
Machine midlife strategies

Analysis and Improvement

Process spot light
Drill bit and consumable selection
Reporting Dash boards and/or other Applications
Software improvement analysis and reporting to OEM’s