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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of percussion and rotation pressure on the performance of drilling steels in different types of rock, specifically sandstone and granodiorite, in an underground mine in Peru.

The study employed a controlled experimental design, varying percussion and rotation pressures under specific geological conditions. The performance metrics, including wear and efficiency of drilling steels, were analyzed using robust regression methods to address the non-normal distribution of data. Experiments were conducted under pressures of 130 and 160 bars for granodiorite and 80 and 35 for sandstone.

The results indicated that drilling steels experienced greater wear and efficiency in granodiorite compared to sandstone. In granodiorite, wear on the drill body reached 3.7 mm and 2.4 mm on the inserts, with an efficiency of 2.31 m/min. In sandstone, wear was 2.45 mm and 1.15 mm, with an efficiency of 1.92 m/min. In addition, drilling costs were lower in sandstone (0.35 US$/m) compared to granodiorite (0.40 US$/m). It was concluded that both percussion and rotation pressure significantly influence the wear and performance of drilling steels, increasing wear but improving efficiency with each 1-bar increment in pressure.

The originality of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of how percussion and rotation pressure affect the wear and performance of drilling steels in two distinct rock types: sandstone and granodiorite. The application of robust multiple linear regression provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between pressure increments and drilling efficiency, offering valuable insights for optimizing drilling operations in underground mines.

This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature on uncertainty in underground mining operations, using a bibliometric and systematic analysis covering the period from 1975 to 2024.

To achieve this, the following questions were addressed using a mixed-method approach involving bibliometrics, text mining and content analysis: How has the field of uncertainty research in underground mining operations evolved? What are the most prominent research topics and trends in uncertainty in underground mining operations? and What are the possible directions for future research on uncertainty in underground mining operations?

As a result, bibliometric networks of 327 journal articles from the Scopus database were created and examined, the main research topics were underground mining management; rock mechanics; operational optimization; and stochastic systems. Finally, the inclusive investigation of uncertainty in underground mining operations and its prominent patterns can serve as a basis for real-time direction for new research and as a tool to improve underground mining activities by implementing advanced technology for innovative practices and optimizing operational efficiency. This is fundamental to identify unknown variables that impair the planning, operation, safety and economic viability of underground mines.

This research is 100% original because there is no review research on the uncertainty present in underground mining operations.