What’s New in Exploration: Navigational Accuracy

A navigatonal and positioning device of considerable accuracy has been developed by Telefix Canada of Richmond Hill, Ont. Known as the Magellan GPS 1000, the unit can determine latitude, longitude and altitude to a typical accuracy of better than 100 metres — indeed, to an accuracy of five metres, with additional equipment and precise techniques. The instrument makes use of a constellation of earth-orbiting satellites to determine an earthbound position continuously. It can be used to navigate from one location to another, displaying steering guidance, distance and time of arrival at the destination. The units can be mounted on a vehicle, held in the hand or pole-mounted with a remote antenna.

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TUFF ROD FINISHES FIRST

Tuff-rod has been developed by JKS Boyles using the latest in computer-aided design systems and now accounts for a majority of wireline rods sold by the firm. A proprietary high-strength joint, featuring a unique thread profile, increases the rod’s strength and resistance to galling. This thread profile also increases supporting static capacity and depth capabilities compared with other wire rods of similar dimensions. The rod can be used in conjunction with standard wireline core barrels and bits.

The staying power of tuff-rod was recently confirmed by Domink Diamond Drilling, which said a string of tuff-rod is still in good condition after drilling 75,000 ft. (22,500 metres) into Precambrian rock.

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BOREHOLE SURVEY

Thanks to new developments in Swedish technology, the English and French faces of the channel tunnel have met dead on. Reflex Instrument AB of Vallentuna, Sweden has developed the “Maxibor,” which is designed to make a continuous survey of a borehole’s path. In the case of the “Chunnel,” the borehole connecting the two tunnel faces was 100 metres in length and the final corrections to the two tunnel headings were made from the precise data produced from the borehole survey.

The instrument consists essentially of two reflector rings fitted three metres apart within a steel tube. The tube bends as it follows the hole, and the subsequent displacement of the two reflector rings is sensed and memorized by miniaturized video cameras. An on-board computer also measures the displacements and stores the information from which it can be downloaded into a hand-held computer at the site.

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BOREHOLE LOCATER

A third-generation borehole locater has been placed on the market by Richard Brancker Research of Ottawa. The instrument rapidly pinpoints the location of pilot holes that have failed to intersect a drift or other accessible target area. It consists of a waterproof transmitting probe and a small, battery-powered, signal-strength receiving unit. When the borehole fails to intersect the drift or other target area, the drill rods are removed and the BH-30 transmitting probe is activated and lowered to the target area. The BH-30 receiver may then be used to obtain the approximate distance and direction of the probe by an operator walking within the target area and observing the received signal strength. The maximum range of the detector is 45 ft. (13.5 metres); probe diameter is 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) and probe length is 26 inches (66 cm). The probe is powered by four “C” cells and the receiver by two “9-v” cells.

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HIGH-PRECISION TILTMETERS

A new generation of tiltmeters is being marketed by Applied Geomechanics of Santa Cruz, Calif. The 700-series and new ultrahigh-precision 500-series tiltmeters can be installed on horizontal, vertical or slanting surfaces. Current status is continuously available and the history of tunnel behavior is graphically recorded. Angular movement is referenced to the unchanging vertical gravity vector, eliminating the need for fixed external datum.

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MULTI-TERRAIN FLEXTRAC

A new concept in multi-terrain vehicles is embodied in the “Flextrac,” a machine of Swedish manufacture and now offered by Cooper Mill of Madoc, Ont. According to company literature, it is capable of pulling loads of 300 kg or more over snow, ice, dry land or water-logged marshland. It also has excellent traction, low ground pressure and can float. Powered by a 2-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the Flextrac has a gearbox with two speeds forward and one in reverse. The new concept of the machine is its flexible track, which not only gives traction but also provides steering. It offers the operator an opportunity to replace both the snowmobile and the all-terrain vehicle with one vehicle.

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SILENT GENERATOR

Polyquip of Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ont., is marketing a 15-kw silent diesel generator, which features 120/240-volt, 1-phase power from four 120-volt, 15-amp duplex outlets and two 240-volt outlets (all of which are protected by circuit breakers). Access to the Kubota engine is made easy by doors on either side of the machine.

The generator features lockable doors and lifting hooks and can be trailer-mounted or skid-mounted.

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MODELLING RESISTIVITY

AND IP DATA

Interpex of Golden, Colo. is marketing a personal-computer-based package designed for 2-dimensional, finite, element modelling of resistivity and induced polarization data. The RESIX IP2D, as it is called, features a proprietary, 2-D finite element model-builder. The user specifies the surface topography and locations of the electrodes, then draws this geological model on the screen using either a “mouse” or the keypad arrow keys. Up to 25 bodies or layers, with a total of 240 vertices, can be used to compose the model. Dipole-dipole, pole-dipole and Wenner arrays are handled by the package and the Schlumberger array will be added in the near future. A finite element mesh can be 350 elements across and 50 elements high and is produced automatically. Compatibility with the Geosoft mapping system is under development.

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