RAISEPRO-48T: Bridging the Gap Between ITH Drilling and Raise Boring

About This Project

The MEDATech team designed and built RaisePro, a compact, mobile raise drill platform that extends in-the-hole (ITH) drilling into larger diameter applications typically reserved for raise boring equipment. Initiated in September 2023, the project progressed from concept through build completion in approximately 11 months. RaisePro was developed through close internal collaboration, combining MEDATech’s deep ITH drilling expertise with emerging cluster-hammer canister approaches for large-diameter holes.

Challenge

Traditional underground drilling solutions left a clear practical gap for mines and contractors. Standard ITH drills from major OEMs are typically limited to holes of roughly 30 inches and are not purpose-built for consistent large-diameter service-hole applications. At the other extreme, mobile raise boring units can achieve much larger diameters but often require significant underground preparation—including excavation for machine access and construction of concrete pads—along with higher cost and logistical overhead. For smaller service holes, manways, and similar raises, these systems are often excessive.

MEDATech needed to deliver a solution that could support both small production drilling and larger service-hole diameters, remain compact and mobile underground, eliminate concrete pad requirements, minimize setup time, and reliably support ITH drilling at larger diameters where air demand increases substantially.

Solution

MEDATech engineered RaisePro as a purpose-built, mobile ITH raise drilling platform designed specifically to bridge the gap between conventional ITH rigs and raise boring machines.

The system supports a wide diameter range, handling small production holes alongside large-diameter applications up to 48 inches for manways, service holes, and selected raises. A compact track-mounted carrier allows the drill to tram into position and operate without the need for a concrete pad, significantly reducing underground preparation and setup time.

RaisePro is designed to integrate directly with mine services, tethering to site power, water, and air rather than relying on an onboard diesel engine, while still incorporating an onboard hydraulic power pack for drilling functions. To address ITH air demands, MEDATech integrated an onboard screw booster compressor—selected over reciprocating alternatives to reduce maintenance and improve reliability—delivering approximately 350 psi and 800 CFM to enable immediate pilot-hole drilling without waiting for additional equipment.

The platform also incorporates an automated water dosing system that meters water through the hammer based on drilling rate, supporting dust suppression and more consistent drilling conditions. A modern control system with radio-remote capability allows operators to work at safer stand-off distances during drilling while retaining close-control functionality for inspections and drill-string handling.

Results

RaisePro progressed from initial concept through build completion in approximately 11 months, followed by early field validation in both underground and surface-like conditions.

An underground trial at the NorCat Underground Centre validated system integration and operability in a realistic mine environment. The MEDATech team connected RaisePro to mine services, trammed it into position, and began drilling early in the trial period using a ~6-inch ITH hammer. The program included roughly 20 down holes and 5 up holes, establishing an operational baseline and confirming setup efficiency, controls performance, and overall system behavior underground.

Subsequent field work at Vale’s Copper Cliff North Mine in Sudbury deployed RaisePro for a service-hole and backfill application from surface to an existing stope. The drilling encountered unusually challenging conditions, including a deep concrete section and backfilled material that introduced boulders and instability during large-diameter reaming. Despite these challenges, the team completed a 24-inch hole to approximately 230 feet and initiated 42-inch reaming. Extreme conditions and hole deflection ultimately prevented continuation, but the partially completed hole was adopted for ongoing backfill use.

Operational feedback from crews was strongly positive. Operators adapted quickly to the controls, and the rig’s mast capacity, torque, and hoisting capability inspired confidence, particularly during handling of large canisters under difficult conditions.

Highlights

• Designed and built from concept in ~11 months (starting September 2023)
• Bridges the capability gap between standard ITH rigs and raise boring systems
• Wide diameter range: small production holes up to 48-inch service-hole applications
• Onboard screw booster compressor (~350 psi / 800 CFM) for immediate pilot drilling
• Automated water dosing through the hammer for dust suppression
• Radio-remote control enabling safer operator stand-off distances
• Validated through trials at NorCat Underground Centre and deployment at Vale Copper Cliff North (Sudbury)

Services Provided

• Requirements definition and concept development for a large-diameter ITH raise drill
• Mechanical and systems engineering of a compact, mobile drilling platform
• Integration of mine-service tethering with an onboard hydraulic power pack
• Design and integration of an onboard screw booster compressor for ITH operation
• Control system implementation, including radio-remote functionality
• Field trials and commissioning support at NorCat Underground Centre and Vale Copper Cliff North
• On-site troubleshooting and iterative improvements under non-standard deployment conditions