A solution for funding the development of technology in oilwell drilling

This article proposes a novel methodology to solve an existing gap in benchmark definition by the adoption of statistically defined benchmarks as references to test products or technical procedures. In a win–win partnership, remuneration is made upon realistic bases of comparison being proportional to existing risks. However, establishing values for benchmarks is rarely unanimous if asked to different persons involved in drilling analysis. Conventional benchmarking, which enhances few results and leaves aside poor operational performances, produces references that do not properly represent the geological environment. Nonetheless, when testing new products, it serves as reference to remunerate suppliers. The review of an optimization program, which resulted in a world record of drilling rate of penetration, reveals the financial magnitude of the savings produced, proposing the method discussed as a reliable solution to the development of technology.publishedVersio

Bulk ore sorting cut-off estimation methodology: Phu Kham Mine case study

As part of the evolution of ore sorting technology for large-scale production operations, Bulk Ore Sorting (BOS) is applied to projects that mine tens of millions of tons per year. BOS systems aim to remove as much non-economic material as possible prior to milling. Mass recovery, metallurgical recovery and consequently plant throughput fluctuate according to deposit characteristics, mining method, equipment efficiency and the cut-off grade applied at both the mine and BOS stage. This case study presents a calculation methodology which determines cut-off grade combinations for the mine and BOS to maximize the financial return for both brownfield and greenfield projects. From this information it is possible to calculate the mass balance, including the BOS stage, in a new process flow sheet. The assumptions made, and production data used (such as volumes, costs and grades) for this case study were those realized in 2014 by Phu Kham Mining, a world-class copper and gold operation situated in Laos