LARGE DIAMETER BLIND SHAFT
DRILLING
WHAT IS BLIND SHAFT DRILLING?
Blind shaft drilling is the process
of excavating large diameter vertical shafts into the earth mechanically with a
full-face drill head. The drill
head is the business end of a submersible assembly consisting of weighted
cylinders and stabilizers to provide the motive force for penetra
tion into the rock.
The assembly is rotated from the surface using a high torque rotary
drive. As the rock is broken by
the combined action of the weighted assembly rotated over it, the cuttings are
removed continually with a flow of water powered by an airlift that transports
the material to the surface where the rock is separated and the water is
recycled into the process.
ALAN ZENI – CONSULTING
40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE BLIND SHAFT DRILLING BUSINESS
In 40 years of competitive private contracting, I participated in the design, operation, manufacture and utilization of large diameter mechanical blind and raise-bore shaft drilling equipment on many projects worldwide. Starting at the very bottom of the organization, I advanced through the Zeni family business to the presidency of the company.