Challenges and countermeasures for water kicks in tunnel drilling at Shuiyindong Gold Mine in Southwest Guizhou

Abstract:

In view of the extra-large water kick volume in tunnel drilling at Shuiyindong Gold Mine in Southwest Guizhou, this paper summarizes the challenges in tunnel drilling, and examines the effect of super-large water kicks on drilling efficiency. In order to overcome these challenges, the practical significance of using the core-lifting coefficient in conventional core drilling is discussed and the countermeasures of “draining”, “blocking”, and “dredging” in wire-line core drilling are put forward, forming the tunnel drilling technology suitable for the Ⅰa ore seam of the mine. It may provide technical support for other tunnel drilling in similar formation conditions.

Key words:Shuiyindong Gold Mine; water kick borehole; tunnel drilling; wire-line core; core-lifting coefficient