It doesn't look good for any vaccies trying to drive back to sites in central qld from Bris. In an attempt to have a car at site, so I can escape camp in the next 1.5months, I am planning on flying to Townsville, borrowing a car, then driving down to Moranbah. At the moment those roads aren't cut, whereas the ones heading north from Brisbane (around Rocky, Childers, etc) are. I'm just hoping that those roads stay open....
Our camp is about 30min drive (I guess about 40km) outside of Moranbah, so without a car, you are a bit trapped. Some of the boys called the cabs for a quote. It was in excess of $200.
The problems the floods are causing are pretty full on. I know suffering damage to property is never nice, but it's pretty depressing around Christmas. There has been a lot of crops lost by farmers as well, which cannot be insured like contents. I think they are the ones that suffer the most financially.
About Me
- andy
- I'm like any other uni student. I like clubbing, parties with friends and surfing if I can get a chance. I grew up in Townsville and miss my great friends there, the strand and maggie, but I still get time to have fun in brissie. I'm studying Civil and Construction Engineering at QUT, and I'm finding it a lot more interesting than most people would think. I'm also doing a mining minor at UQ at the same time so that I can work in the mining industry. I hope to work on mine sites once I graduate, because I love the friendliness in small towns, and it's always more fun to brag about being involved in massive projects. Drop me an email at andrea.dale@connect.qut.edu.au if you want to know more :)
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Time off
Most people are jealous when I tell them I've got a month off work, but I can't wait to get back out there. I'm getting pretty bored spending a month in Brisbane without uni or work. Most my friends are working too, so I can't even catch up with them. I get back to site on the 3rd, so really looking forward to it. At least I am guaranteed to fit back into my hi-vis after xmas. It's not quite one size fits all, but a small is still pretty big.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Next Year
I decided to take a year off uni next year to deal with some health issues. My friends at uni already tease me for being a 'mature age student' (even though I'm only a year older!!), so I'll have to see if the year below us is any different. Downer has offered me work during the year, which is awesome. I'll finish up my Vac Work on site at Goonyella in February, then start in at the Brisbane office some time after that. Although I would rather be on site, this will make it possible to see the specialists in Brisbane when I need to. I am hoping that I will get it completely sorted by the end of the year, and be ready to go and finish uni.
My recovery period at the moment consists of re-reading Harry Potter, although I'm nearly finished. I'll have to find something else for the next surgery. Maybe something that is more my age group...
My recovery period at the moment consists of re-reading Harry Potter, although I'm nearly finished. I'll have to find something else for the next surgery. Maybe something that is more my age group...
Vac Work
With uni exams finally over, I headed up to Goonyella Riverside Mine, about 30min out of Moranbah, and roughly 2.5hrs from Mackay. The flight into Moranbah was pretty cool, you could see the surface mines as you flew in. I'm not sure that the flight was worth the $430 price tag, but that's what is referred to as the "miner's tax". It seems most businesses add a certain percentage when they realise that they are selling to mining companies or miners. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything that can be done about it, you have to get used to it.
I spent the first week doing inductions, and wishing the rain would stop so that I could actually get out and see the pit. There were a few familiar faces, as some people had been transferred within Downer to Goonyella from Norwich Park, where I have done previous Vac Work. It was nice to know some, but there are still a lot of names to learn. I started to sort out the work for my final year project (thesis), and working out the best way to gather the information required. Downer has provided me with the opportunity to work on a project topic that I chose, but that will also be beneficial to them. It's pretty cool working on something that is pretty much directed by me, that will then be implemented by the company when it is ready.
I then spent the next week in the workshop, where I learnt about each different job. I helped out with the serviceman, who drives around all day filling the trucks, graders, dozers, diggers, lighting plants, and generators with fuel, oil, compressed air or grease. They have to prioritise the plant based on which will be most productive. It surprised me how busy they are. I also spent some time in the light vehicle workshop, where they fix the hilux's and prado's on site like a mechanic would in town. They also have to make sure the vehicles meet site requirements, and tougher safety requirements than on the road. In the main workshop, I got to have a look at a watercart, dozer, grader and trucks being serviced. I was able to get a lot closer to the machines than I otherwise would, but there were also more safety measures in place.
After the 2wks on site, I had to travel back to Brisbane for some surgery. I was pretty disappointed when I found out I would be missing out on a month of vac work due to surgeries, but I can't wait to get back out there in January and get stuck into my project.
I spent the first week doing inductions, and wishing the rain would stop so that I could actually get out and see the pit. There were a few familiar faces, as some people had been transferred within Downer to Goonyella from Norwich Park, where I have done previous Vac Work. It was nice to know some, but there are still a lot of names to learn. I started to sort out the work for my final year project (thesis), and working out the best way to gather the information required. Downer has provided me with the opportunity to work on a project topic that I chose, but that will also be beneficial to them. It's pretty cool working on something that is pretty much directed by me, that will then be implemented by the company when it is ready.
I then spent the next week in the workshop, where I learnt about each different job. I helped out with the serviceman, who drives around all day filling the trucks, graders, dozers, diggers, lighting plants, and generators with fuel, oil, compressed air or grease. They have to prioritise the plant based on which will be most productive. It surprised me how busy they are. I also spent some time in the light vehicle workshop, where they fix the hilux's and prado's on site like a mechanic would in town. They also have to make sure the vehicles meet site requirements, and tougher safety requirements than on the road. In the main workshop, I got to have a look at a watercart, dozer, grader and trucks being serviced. I was able to get a lot closer to the machines than I otherwise would, but there were also more safety measures in place.
After the 2wks on site, I had to travel back to Brisbane for some surgery. I was pretty disappointed when I found out I would be missing out on a month of vac work due to surgeries, but I can't wait to get back out there in January and get stuck into my project.
AusIMM Mining Ball
I was pretty lucky this year to go to the AusIMM Mining Ball at the Convention Centre for the first time. I had to race home from work to get ready, then back again, considering that the Convention Centre is just across the road from where I work at Downer.
The night was all in aid of raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors, a very appropriate cause within the mining industry. There were plenty of senior people from the industry there, great food and good entertainment. They also had raffles, silent auctions and games to keep everyone entertained. The silent auctions were mostly for some pretty amazing pictures which were displayed around the room. They were all related to the mining industry, and there were some to suit everyone's taste. They photos were of pretty rocks (for the geo's), coal preparation plants at night, working surface ore mines, miners, as well as heaps of other different things. I liked a couple, but they weren't being auctioned on the night. There was also a scale model of a drill to be auctioned. It was a really great night, and I'm really glad I went.
The night was all in aid of raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors, a very appropriate cause within the mining industry. There were plenty of senior people from the industry there, great food and good entertainment. They also had raffles, silent auctions and games to keep everyone entertained. The silent auctions were mostly for some pretty amazing pictures which were displayed around the room. They were all related to the mining industry, and there were some to suit everyone's taste. They photos were of pretty rocks (for the geo's), coal preparation plants at night, working surface ore mines, miners, as well as heaps of other different things. I liked a couple, but they weren't being auctioned on the night. There was also a scale model of a drill to be auctioned. It was a really great night, and I'm really glad I went.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Uni Pics
Site Visit to Hale Street Link mid last year
Doorstop for a civil engineer.
Engineering at UQ. Their girls are apparently great rugby players.
Doorstop for a civil engineer.
Engineering at UQ. Their girls are apparently great rugby players.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Semester 2
I'm just in Swatvac at the moment, procrastinating study for my exams. First exam is on Monday, then Wednesday so I really should get into it. I guess that I can't get too excited about the topic of my first exam - foundation design. The concrete and steel that is in the ground and usually isn't even visible. Maybe it's the way the lectures were delivered, with a million formula to remember, with no real understanding of what they mean.
My second exam is Project Management, which is pretty much common sense stuff, but I've still learnt a bit from it. We have had to create communication management plans, procurement management plans, human resources management plans, quality management plans, health + safety + environment management plans, etc. After a while it gets a bit tedious, having to write down pages and pages of common sense stuff, but I guess that is pretty much the job before the project begins.
I've then got structural design, which is admittedly not my favourite topic. It has been good this semester, with the more practical design aspect, but it's still structural, which I hate. Bending moments are a bit too abstract for me. We had to design every component of a portal framed warehouse this semester. We even had a site to go visit, to check out what would affect the design, like nearby buildings creating a shielding effect (reducing the wind load on our building).
Finally, exams finish with estimating. I have to admit, I really like this subject. It's taught by a practicing estimating manager. He is great with how many real examples he uses. The project we did this semester was to price a package (all the piers and erection of bridge beams) for the Maroochy River Bridge duplication. There was an existing bridge, but there was too much traffic congestion so Main Roads decided to pay for another bridge to be constructed alongside the existing one, which would be turned into a one way bridge. The total value of the project was $100 million, and I think my final price was about $11 million for the section of works we were requested to price. Have to wait and see to find out how accurate that was. I think we were the highest priced group, but I know the other groups forgot to include a lot of things in their price. I just couldn't believe how much work was involved, most of which was the tweaking, and updating prices, construction methods and durations. You have to consider everything, right down to how many nuts and bolts will be damaged, lost, or dropped in the river. It was really interesting though, and made me consider that career option. I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much as being on site though.
This is the link for the bridge:
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/90181c7e-1576-4e33-bf9e-cebafbdc5a8d/maroochyriverbridgeupdatedec07.pdf
It was pretty good being in almost the same group for 3 subjects. There was a guy who was really interested in structural, someone who was great at CAD drawings, and then me. The structural fanatic did most of the structural assignment, except for the CAD drawings. I did most of the estimating assignment, and we all worked on the project management assignment.
Not sure if many people heard about this one:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hour-yacht-siege-at-eagle-street-pier-ends-in-drama-after-shots-fired-man-stabs-himself/story-e6freoof-1225943493577
I was trying to get to uni on Monday, but they closed off the riverwalk/bikeway between new farm and uni. It meant that instead of a nice flat ride alongside the river, I had to carry my bike up 30 or so stairs, then walk it through the city. On my first ride after surgery, I really felt sore the next day!! At least taking it down the stairs on the way home was a lot easier. I'm hoping nothing like this happens on my way to an exam. Last semester my pedal happened to fall off on my way to an exam. At least it gave a bit of amusement to a few people on the riverwalk in the city. Guess I should stop procrastinating and start studying :(.
My second exam is Project Management, which is pretty much common sense stuff, but I've still learnt a bit from it. We have had to create communication management plans, procurement management plans, human resources management plans, quality management plans, health + safety + environment management plans, etc. After a while it gets a bit tedious, having to write down pages and pages of common sense stuff, but I guess that is pretty much the job before the project begins.
I've then got structural design, which is admittedly not my favourite topic. It has been good this semester, with the more practical design aspect, but it's still structural, which I hate. Bending moments are a bit too abstract for me. We had to design every component of a portal framed warehouse this semester. We even had a site to go visit, to check out what would affect the design, like nearby buildings creating a shielding effect (reducing the wind load on our building).
Finally, exams finish with estimating. I have to admit, I really like this subject. It's taught by a practicing estimating manager. He is great with how many real examples he uses. The project we did this semester was to price a package (all the piers and erection of bridge beams) for the Maroochy River Bridge duplication. There was an existing bridge, but there was too much traffic congestion so Main Roads decided to pay for another bridge to be constructed alongside the existing one, which would be turned into a one way bridge. The total value of the project was $100 million, and I think my final price was about $11 million for the section of works we were requested to price. Have to wait and see to find out how accurate that was. I think we were the highest priced group, but I know the other groups forgot to include a lot of things in their price. I just couldn't believe how much work was involved, most of which was the tweaking, and updating prices, construction methods and durations. You have to consider everything, right down to how many nuts and bolts will be damaged, lost, or dropped in the river. It was really interesting though, and made me consider that career option. I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much as being on site though.
This is the link for the bridge:
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/90181c7e-1576-4e33-bf9e-cebafbdc5a8d/maroochyriverbridgeupdatedec07.pdf
It was pretty good being in almost the same group for 3 subjects. There was a guy who was really interested in structural, someone who was great at CAD drawings, and then me. The structural fanatic did most of the structural assignment, except for the CAD drawings. I did most of the estimating assignment, and we all worked on the project management assignment.
Not sure if many people heard about this one:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hour-yacht-siege-at-eagle-street-pier-ends-in-drama-after-shots-fired-man-stabs-himself/story-e6freoof-1225943493577
I was trying to get to uni on Monday, but they closed off the riverwalk/bikeway between new farm and uni. It meant that instead of a nice flat ride alongside the river, I had to carry my bike up 30 or so stairs, then walk it through the city. On my first ride after surgery, I really felt sore the next day!! At least taking it down the stairs on the way home was a lot easier. I'm hoping nothing like this happens on my way to an exam. Last semester my pedal happened to fall off on my way to an exam. At least it gave a bit of amusement to a few people on the riverwalk in the city. Guess I should stop procrastinating and start studying :(.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Not a crane, but still hilarious.
This might be the reason why supervisors don't annoy digger drivers within the reach of the digger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_u_iDYkgQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_u_iDYkgQg
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Ore Blasting
Ore is a bit different to strip mining (coal). Most of the time, they don't want the material moved at all, because it will cause dilution of the different grades.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44tm26Fhqr8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44tm26Fhqr8
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Group Work & boys...
I had to do a group presentation today. Like most other groups in engineering, it was with a group of boys. Most of the time that's ok, but it does get pretty annoying when they form their 'boy club', most of the time without realising it. This just makes it harder for girls. Whether it's about having your say, or being allocated a fair share of work (and not just editing the final report), the boys have an automatic reaction to make this almost impossible.
Sometimes, it is great working with guys, but other times are just incredibly irritating. I honestly prefer working in a male dominated environment than a female one, but each has it's downsides.
Sometimes, it is great working with guys, but other times are just incredibly irritating. I honestly prefer working in a male dominated environment than a female one, but each has it's downsides.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Work
Guess I should mention what I do at work. I go in once a week during semester, which is great. For me, it's the day that breaks up the rest of the week. Just doing uni work can get a bit boring at times, and I'm really lucky to have engineering work while I'm at uni. I love it this semester - my day off uni is a Friday, so that's the day I go into work. That means I get jeans day, and any celebration lunches/morning teas, etc. Surprisingly, I do actually get some work done too :p.
Most of the time I just use Vulcan (which is basically CAD, but made for mining). We use this to make plans of mines at various stages. It's pretty cool what you can do with it. For instance, you can create a solid object from the lines drawn in your plan. The volume, and other things can be given from this solid object. Sometimes though, it's just incredibly frustrating. It can take hours to do something that seems so simple, all because a line didn't join properly, or something really small. It can take ages to find out what the problem is. They say engineers are problem solvers, but I didn't ever think that referred to computer/software problems.
I'm also trying to sort out a few things for my final year project at the moment (which I have to do next year). I've got an awesome project to do, which will hopefully save the company some money, but it will need a bit of money to do the project as well. I've got to write a proposal, so I can get approval to do the project in the summer break.
Guess I better get back to the study :(
Most of the time I just use Vulcan (which is basically CAD, but made for mining). We use this to make plans of mines at various stages. It's pretty cool what you can do with it. For instance, you can create a solid object from the lines drawn in your plan. The volume, and other things can be given from this solid object. Sometimes though, it's just incredibly frustrating. It can take hours to do something that seems so simple, all because a line didn't join properly, or something really small. It can take ages to find out what the problem is. They say engineers are problem solvers, but I didn't ever think that referred to computer/software problems.
I'm also trying to sort out a few things for my final year project at the moment (which I have to do next year). I've got an awesome project to do, which will hopefully save the company some money, but it will need a bit of money to do the project as well. I've got to write a proposal, so I can get approval to do the project in the summer break.
Guess I better get back to the study :(
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
More Youtube
Uni is pretty full on at the moment with exams and assignments, but I seem to be so much better at procrastinating. Pity it's not a useful skill. Here is some more Youtube, showing the coal mine to ship process. It jumps around a bit at the end, but hopefully it helps show how it all happens. It might be more helpful to understand it if you already know the process, or have been on a site or two. I'm not sure, let me know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwhIQDRBAT8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwhIQDRBAT8&feature=related
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Quote
"The optimist says the glass is half full. The pessimist says the glass is half empty. The engineer says the glass is too big."
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh01gBodg18&feature=related
As far as I can tell, this looks like an awesome blast. There is very little rock thrown up in the air - it is all thrown sideways. This means they don't have to move it there by trucks and excavators, which takes longer.
As far as I can tell, this looks like an awesome blast. There is very little rock thrown up in the air - it is all thrown sideways. This means they don't have to move it there by trucks and excavators, which takes longer.
Video of a blast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i34tUq1JK7g&feature=related
I love the comment at the end of this - "I hope my car is ok...."
The big booms are not what they aim for - it's just wasted money, and pretty dangerous to get all of that rock flying around
I love the comment at the end of this - "I hope my car is ok...."
The big booms are not what they aim for - it's just wasted money, and pretty dangerous to get all of that rock flying around
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Vac Work
I wish the semester was over so I could get out there!! I'm pretty stoked, because I've been offered an awesome project where I get to blow stuff up. It sounds really interesting, which is great because I have to spend all next year working on it for uni. I get to go on site collecting data for 3 months for vac work, then try and analyse it during next year. I'm really excited because it sounds like it could really make a difference. I'm just hoping I can find some answers.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Vac Work
The Vac Work applications have started closing, but there are still heaps of companies that are still open to applications. I'm hoping to get Vac work blowing stuff up. It's awesome that we can go play with explosives, and get paid to do it, while still at uni. I just wish there were more Vac Work periods - there are so many things I want to try, like metals/underground/Owner Operators/blasting. The only thing I don't like is writing applications. The graduate applications start early next year. I can't wait to get a job so I can stop writing applications!!
If you're stuck on where to start, or want to know when applications open or anything about Vac work at all, check out this link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=9793520199
If you're stuck on where to start, or want to know when applications open or anything about Vac work at all, check out this link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=9793520199
Monday, August 9, 2010
Cobar Seminar
The actual seminar was great, but the site visits were awesome. The seminar put me to sleep until lunch. I know VERY little about geo, and it was all geo talk which I don't understand. The most interesting thing I got out of it was that apparently in Cobar the geo has basically been turned upside down.
After lunch was great. There was talk of pastefill amongst other things. Pastefill is essentially tailings (waste) with cement added. This is pumped into the voids underground, and work can continue underneath, or adjacent. I would prefer to work under it than the natural ground, because it's an 'engineered' product, and you know it's capacity. Rock on the other hand, can be pretty unpredictable.
Dinner after the seminar was pretty good, and I met a lot of people during the day. Unfortunately I had to leave the dinner around 10pm to get some sleep for the drive back the next day :(
My car got completely iced each night, here is the remains after an hour of driving.
Not nice to think that you will see both sunrise and sunset while driving, but it's still pretty.
There is actually a shire called Bogan Shire. Including a "Welcome to Bogan Shire" sign.
Not my River...
Here is my creek though.
I even had to follow them back in Bris!! I can't escape them!!!!
After lunch was great. There was talk of pastefill amongst other things. Pastefill is essentially tailings (waste) with cement added. This is pumped into the voids underground, and work can continue underneath, or adjacent. I would prefer to work under it than the natural ground, because it's an 'engineered' product, and you know it's capacity. Rock on the other hand, can be pretty unpredictable.
Dinner after the seminar was pretty good, and I met a lot of people during the day. Unfortunately I had to leave the dinner around 10pm to get some sleep for the drive back the next day :(
My car got completely iced each night, here is the remains after an hour of driving.
Not nice to think that you will see both sunrise and sunset while driving, but it's still pretty.
There is actually a shire called Bogan Shire. Including a "Welcome to Bogan Shire" sign.
Not my River...
Here is my creek though.
I even had to follow them back in Bris!! I can't escape them!!!!
Endeavour Mine
In case there are any budding geo's out there, this is the riveting life of a geo. These are core samples, and are really interesting for some. Looking at rocks like this is a bit boring for me, but it's what mining is all about. Also the reason for a lot of headaches when the unexpected turns up.
Cobar Heritage Park
An underground bogger or LHD (load haul dump). It's name varies depending on what state you are in. In QLD, they are usually referred to as LHD's.
This made me laugh. There was moss growing on the LHD, and I'm pretty sure it couldn't start anyway, yet it was still tagged out.
To give you an idea of height - I'm about 175cm, and around the same height as the loader. This is the operator's seat beside me. You can see in the other pics they had to sit sideways.
Heritage Centre opposite the park.
More Cobar
More pics of the arches.
Underground Truck
Underground workshop. This is a very impressive underground workshop. Huge, with a gantry crane and everything.
My jumbo :)
The ‘Welcome to Cobar’ Slag Dump
The old open cut.
Map of Cobar
Underground Truck
Underground workshop. This is a very impressive underground workshop. Huge, with a gantry crane and everything.
My jumbo :)
The ‘Welcome to Cobar’ Slag Dump
The old open cut.
Map of Cobar
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Cobar
Finally arrived in Cobar at 8.30pm. Very cold, and I was glad to crawl into bed. I was booked for a pub room, but ended up with a motel room. It looked like the door had been punched in before, but that's what you get for $30/night.
Had a bit of a sleep in the next morning, before getting to site (Peak Mines) at 7:15am. It was my first trip underground, and I was VERY excited. It was awesome. I was disappointed to leave, but at least I had another trip underground to look forward to straight after! The guys at Peak were fantastic, and I really enjoyed the tour. Check out the pics :)
This is really nerdy, but really cool. These undulating arches can withstand the massive ground pressures underground. Check out the pic below of the drive to the right of this, with the same conditions, which is a mess with the usual mesh and rock bolts.
Same conditions, completely different results. They dumped waste rock in the entrance to block it off because it was considered unsafe.
This one is awesome - it's the raise boring machine for a 4.5m diameter, almost 1km deep hole they are doing. It's placed on the surface, and a reamer head is attached to it at the bottom of the pilot hole. Think of the power this machine has!!! The pieces on the right connect together to attach between the reamer head and machine.
Wiki's explanation: A raise borer is a machine used in underground mining, to excavate a circular hole between two levels of a mine without the use of explosives.
The raise borer is set up on the upper level of the two levels to be connected, on an evenly laid platform (typically a concrete pad). A small-diameter hole (pilot hole) is drilled to the level required; the diameter of this hole is typically 230mm - 350mm (9" - 15"), large enough to accommodate the drill string. Once the drill has broken into the opening on the target level, the bit is removed and a reamer head, of the required diameter of the excavation, is attached to the drill string and raised back towards the machine. The drill cuttings from the reamer head fall to the floor of the lower level. The finished raise has smooth walls and may not require rock bolting or other forms of ground support.[1]
http://construction.gautrain.co.za/2009/04/raise-boring-technology-used-on-gautrain/
Had a bit of a sleep in the next morning, before getting to site (Peak Mines) at 7:15am. It was my first trip underground, and I was VERY excited. It was awesome. I was disappointed to leave, but at least I had another trip underground to look forward to straight after! The guys at Peak were fantastic, and I really enjoyed the tour. Check out the pics :)
This is really nerdy, but really cool. These undulating arches can withstand the massive ground pressures underground. Check out the pic below of the drive to the right of this, with the same conditions, which is a mess with the usual mesh and rock bolts.
Same conditions, completely different results. They dumped waste rock in the entrance to block it off because it was considered unsafe.
This one is awesome - it's the raise boring machine for a 4.5m diameter, almost 1km deep hole they are doing. It's placed on the surface, and a reamer head is attached to it at the bottom of the pilot hole. Think of the power this machine has!!! The pieces on the right connect together to attach between the reamer head and machine.
Wiki's explanation: A raise borer is a machine used in underground mining, to excavate a circular hole between two levels of a mine without the use of explosives.
The raise borer is set up on the upper level of the two levels to be connected, on an evenly laid platform (typically a concrete pad). A small-diameter hole (pilot hole) is drilled to the level required; the diameter of this hole is typically 230mm - 350mm (9" - 15"), large enough to accommodate the drill string. Once the drill has broken into the opening on the target level, the bit is removed and a reamer head, of the required diameter of the excavation, is attached to the drill string and raised back towards the machine. The drill cuttings from the reamer head fall to the floor of the lower level. The finished raise has smooth walls and may not require rock bolting or other forms of ground support.[1]
http://construction.gautrain.co.za/2009/04/raise-boring-technology-used-on-gautrain/
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