Celebrating 100 Years of Borehole Mining
“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” - Winston Churchill.
A Hydraulic Revolution
In the mid-19th Century, the Industrial Revolution accelerated technological progress across the board, including hydraulic systems and water pumping technologies. This was, of course, before powerful electric motors and diesel engines came onto the scene. By that time, hydraulic engineers were harnessing elevated water sources to cut ores. Water from mountain streams was channeled down through aqueducts to mining regions, where it was used to erode and transport ore.
Coinciding with the Gold Rush in California, this approach played a pivotal role in the development of gold in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The combination of high-ground abundant water sources and rich mineral deposits in the valleys made the region a cradle for hydraulic mining.
From Hydraulic Mining to Borehole Mining
Fast forward about fifty years: drilling technology had advanced, and powerful pumps were available. Engineers began to envision a revolutionary idea – converting advanced hydraulic mining techniques into a remotely-operated, in-situ waterjet mining process through boreholes. This concept gave birth to Borehole Mining (BHM).
Two key components of a BHM tool – the hydromonitor (below) and the eductor (right) – were already invented, patented, and in use for various applications.
Hydromonitor with radial flow stabilizers. 1863
Eductor (at the bottom
of a dual column). 1865
What had been missing was a brilliant engineer who could bring these elements together, design a functional BHM tool, lower it into a borehole, and press the pump’s Start button. That engineer was Edwin E. Claytor of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1924, he applied for two U.S. patents - one for the BHM tool and the other for the method - and received both in 1926, officially marking the birth of borehole mining as we know it today.
Why Celebrate Now?
So, why are we talking about it now, at the start of the 21st century’s second quarter? There are two main reasons for that:
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This anniversary should not pass unnoticed in the history books. The foundation of Mr. Claytor’s invention has not only survived its first 100 years but has matured and is now used worldwide. It is time to celebrate the centennial of borehole mining.
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It’s an opportunity to reflect on the following:
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Despite its potential, BHM remains largely underutilized – why?
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Does it have a future?
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And if so, when may/will it truly take off?
Answering these questions deserves a dedicated discussion, which we’ll explore in a separate blog.
For now, let’s honor the 100th birthday of Edwin Claytor’s brainchild – the Borehole Mining Tool!
Great job, Sir!
1926 BHM Tool