| What industries use rock drill oils? |
Mining
Exploration & Production, Quarrying, Road Construction, Pipeline Construction, Water
Well Drilling and Oil & Gas Exploration. |
| What types of equipment use rock drill oil and why? |
Rock Drill Oils are used to lubricate hydraulic or pneumatic percussive
type drilling equipment such as: downhole hammers, hydraulic and pneumatic longhole
drills. |
| Why would conventional rock drill oils be potential environmental
contaminants? |
The lubricating methods where rock drill oil is used have open ended or
non-circulating systems, therefore the lubricant is discharged directly on or into the
ground, Since most rock drill oils are petroleum oil based products, this presents the
opportunity for contamination of surface or ground waters. |
| What volume of rock drill oil is used at any one time? |
The lubricating requirements varies with the type of drill being used.
This amount could range from 10-40 liters per day, depending on the footage drilled, the
number of shifts worked or the method of lubricant delivery. This can equate to
significant quantities of petroleum oil being discharged into the environment, especially
if a number of drills are involved. Eg 12 drills x 20 Lt. / day x 250 days = 60,000
litters / year. |
| Are there any restrictive environmental regulations applicable to
the use of rock drill oils? |
Although rock drill oils are not specifically mentioned, most
environmental agencies have a general statement forbidding the introduction of any
potential contaminants into surface or ground waters at anytime. Most States and Provinces require an accidental
spill, even small quantities of petroleum products (eg. hydraulic oils), as low as 20
litters (5 gallons) to be treated as a hazardous waste spill and be disposed as such. |
