Synthetic diamond division of DeBeers, Element Six, has developed the 3D Percussive Diamond Insert (PDI) that it claims will radically cut costs in the mining drill industry. The 3D PDI uses the firm’s polycrystalline diamond technology to optimise wear and impact resistance properties, while improving penetration rates for the drill bit. The firm claims that tests of the drill insert show up to 10 times the drill life of a conventional tungsten carbide insert., greatly reducing costly rig downtime for serv
