Historically, collieries wanting to plan mining sections, locate dolorite dykes or obtain information on long walling have relied on an imprecise, time consuming and expensive method of data collection, says Boart Longyear Drilling Services Division's Johan Small. Past methods were imprecise and the movement of the drill bit dictated where the information on the coal seam came from. With the introduction of the Mecca Steering System, collieries now have a more accurate, more cost-effective and far faster alternative. A service that Small and his team are offering customers like New Denmark Colliery with great success allows the geologist to intensively explore an area for dolerite dykes from a single mother hole drilled into an area. This type of precise drilling ensures that an area is free of hard rock intrusions which would render coal mining activities difficult or even impossible. Consisting of a mud motor with HQ rods and an electronic survey system, the Mecca sends pulses to the operator every 4 seconds via a hand-held monitor to provide information on hole dip and direction. The motor is fitted with a bent sub which allows the hole to be steered in all directions. "The Mecca Steering equipment used by Boart Longyear CDD is extremely effective. By obtaining accurate information from this new drilling practice, New Denmark has benefited greatly," says Peter Garrett. | 
