Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
510:IDR;RZ-610, RZ-667
Type of Object
Mine
Description
Short description
Drills for deep predrilling have two grooves, which extend along the drill in a shape of a screw (spirally twisted). They have a round or square shape of a clamping spindle, which serves for the drill insertion in the drilling hammer. The clamping device is of different lengths, but in general longer than in other drilling hammers. At the end there drills are connected with the blade, which is usually a part of the drill shaft (it cannot be removed) or with a removable nozzle (crown) of various shapes.
Measures
Four drills of different dimensions.
Materials
Steel, iron.
Dating
The time of creation is unknown.
Author / Producer
Manufacturer information is not known.
Picture attachments
Original use
These types of drills are used for preventive deep drilling, namely with the purpose of detecting danger of the water on site in the Idrija Mercury Mine. A spirally twisted shape enabled the drilled material to be removed regularly. Depending on the structure of the rocks in the pit (different at each individual drilling points), different blades or different removable crowns were used for drilling. In the case, that the miners ran into water while drilling, the hole was immediately sealed (“hammered”). At such places, ore was not being excavated.
Present use
A total of four drills for deep pre-drilling are being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. Visitors can view some of them within the permanent exhibition “Five Centuries of the Mercury Mine and the Town of Idrija”. The other three are stored in the depot and can be used for occasional museum exhibitions. They can also be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.
Original location
Idrija Mercury Mine (miner’s working equipment).
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 7); depot Prelovčeva 2.
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
All drills for deep pre-drilling were conserved before 1995, during the time of preparations for the opening of the permanent museum exhibition. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible: