Drilling for inrush protection and water management

Directional in-seam drilling technology

has been established as an essential tool

for gas drainage and exploration in the

underground coal mining industry. A

fatal inrush event highlighted the threat

that flooded old workings present to

current mining operations. The use of

directional drilling to provide protection

against the threat of inrush by either

providing clear barriers ahead of

development or draining stored water has

become an established practice in the

Australian coal industry.