London-listed Tribe Technology’s chief technology officer Derek Loughlin says switching on the company’s first generation autonomous reverse circulation mineral drilling rig is “an extra special milestone [and] part of an RC drilling revolution”.
Tribe expects to finish building the first TTDS 700 GC drill rig at its 20,000-square-feet Belfast factory in Northern Ireland this month and ship it in the second quarter.
“To date, RC drilling has been characterised by a lack of automation due to the complexities of the systems required and the harsh conditions in which these machines operate,” the company said this week.
“The company’s RC drill rigs are being developed to remove operators from the dangers that are involved in traditional RC drill rigs.”
Loughlin said the company was trying to forge a new era of rig safety and productivity.
“Watch this space,” he said.
AIM-listed Tribe’s current market value is about ₤14 million.
