When the COVID-19 pandemic was raging, Epiroc’s team of engineers had the idea to create a truly heliportable surface drill rig that can tackle the toughest, coldest, and remotest parts of Canada, while offering unparalleled smart and safety features. Long and sometimes heated discussions between experienced engineers and drillers followed, until Christensen 160 Smart was introduced during PDAC 2024.
Truly modular design
Size and weight become a problem when drilling in the most remote parts of Canada. Christensen 160 Smart has been meticulously designed by engineers and drilling experts and assembled in Canada. Its primary goal is to provide the most modern technologies and safety features for drilling programs in extreme conditions. The rig can be easily transported on a truck bed and can be set up on a variety of platforms. It has a small enough footprint to be put in a reasonably small shack, which makes heating less problematic.
To facilitate that, Christensen 160 Smart can be split into seven lightweight units. Each of them weighs no more than 1120 kg (2468 lb) and comes fitted with sturdy lifting points to reduce the number of trips between distant locations.
Once in the field, Christensen 160 Smart can be assembled within one shift or less, depending on ground conditions and the setup, so drillers can focus on what they do best.
Extreme power for the extreme cold
Christensen 160 Smart features the Cummins QSB 4.5 diesel engine. It generates 149 kW (200 hp) at 2200 rpm while maintaining maximum fuel efficiency. This engine was selected as it has the highest ‘Power Density’ available in the market for an engine of this size. Comparable engines of this power class are much larger and by nature much heavier. This engine also meets or exceeds Tier IV stage V certifications that will accommodate many markets. In summary, the Cummins QSB 4.5 diesel engine, and Christensen 160 Smart by extension, has a high power level for a small ‘footprint’ and meets environmental standards in many countries.
With this much power, the rig can achieve depths of up to 2363 m (7753 ft) in B-size, 1751 m (5745 ft) with N-size, or 1023 m (3356 ft) in H-size. Epiroc also offers an optional P-size rotation unit of the Christensen 160 Smart, further enhancing the company’s product offering to meet the demands of this segment of the surface market.
Additionally, the hydraulic system can handle temperatures down to -25°C (-13°F). Epiroc also offers an optional Arctic Kit, which ensures that the rig can provide samples even in the worst of winters.
Smart features, unrivaled safety
In the Canadian wilderness, hours away from the base, serious injury can be fatal, so advanced safety was essential for Christensen 160 Smart. The rig features the proven and well-liked by drillers Epiroc Smart Control System (RCS) with automated functions. These functions improve productivity and can dramatically increase the life of consumables.
In addition, data from each hole is logged by the RCS and can be exported into Exploration Manager. This software presents users with the ability to analyze data, find improvements and optimize drilling performance. With the help of the automated functions of the RCS, rods are extracted by head (pull-by-head), providing improved safety and reliability. Essentially, the most dangerous operations are hands-free, and Christensen 160 Smart is quite adept at manipulating the rods, so only one driller and an assistant need to be on-site.
Controls are only part of safety. Christensen 160 Smart also has interlocks on important functions, such as the guard and the rotation unit, complying fully with the European EN 16228 Engineering Standard.
Support and servicing
Even the best equipment, such as the Christensen 160 Smart rig, needs to be serviced regularly to make sure it sustains peak efficiency. An Epiroc service solution guarantees maximum availability of parts and performance throughout the lifetime of equipment.
Epiroc’s core focus is on safety, productivity and reliability. By combining genuine parts and an Epiroc service through their certified technicians, the company safeguards productivity — wherever the drill, even in the deepest Canadian wilderness.
Field testing Christensen 160 Smart
The team at 518 Drilling is used to seeing a lot of technology being deployed to the mineral exploration industry. Yet the drilling rigs to date have not advanced as quickly in comparison to other drilling applications in aspects such as data collection, automation, driller-operated gyro tools, as well as Starlink Wi-Fi on all of drilling equipment.
518 Drilling is a small company with a small team, but Epiroc has consistently provided it with access to new tooling to increase drilling efficiency downhole. Epiroc has stood the test of time within the industry, and the leaders of 518 Drilling knew that it will be there to fulfill their needs as they grow their fleet with both surface and underground drilling applications. So when Epiroc first presented the opportunity to be a leader in adopting the new Christensen 160 Smart that can be integrated into this push to advance exploration drilling technology, 518 Drilling saw a futuristic vision of how this new technology will change the way their drillers view their daily tasks. It was an easy decision for 518 Drilling to take on the test.
Christensen 160 Smart offers several functions that the drillers from 518 Drilling haven’t seen on any other drills in their fleet. Automatic rod pulling, tube retrieval, as well as tube pumping, allowed their drillers to have some mental rest and also have time to complete training and mentorship to their assistants. This will have long-term positive effects for all the crews working at the company, as Christensen 160 Smart saved the drillers from sitting white-knuckled on the controls, performing routine functions that this technology can repeat safely and consistently as necessary to complete rod pulls and retrieve core samples, etc.
For 518 Drilling the long-term goal is to change the way drillers do their work and eliminate operator error and potential injury due to repetitive tasks, and Christensen 160 Smart will accelerate this process tremendously.
For more information visit: epiroc.com
