China Unveils World’s First Tunnel Boring-and-Blasting Machine to Conquer Tough Mountain Terrain

China has developed what it claims is the world’s first tunnel boring-and-blasting machine, a next-generation technology designed to tackle some of the toughest challenges in underground construction, especially in mountainous regions with complex rock formations.

Named “Xianglong”, the 4.5-metre-diameter hybrid machine was jointly developed by Tsinghua University and a subsidiary of state-owned China Railway Group. The equipment recently rolled off the production line in Wuhan, Hubei province, according to a statement from the provincial government.

Unlike conventional Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that rely mainly on mechanical cutting, the new system combines boring technology with built-in drilling and blasting capabilities. This allows engineers to switch between excavation methods without removing equipment, a process that often causes delays and increases safety risks.

According to the developers, the hybrid machine can improve hard-rock excavation efficiency by around 30 per cent compared with existing methods.

Traditional tunnelling projects in difficult geological conditions often require separate TBMs and drill-and-blast systems. When a TBM encounters extremely hard or fractured rock, progress can slow significantly, forcing construction teams to change equipment and leading to increased project timelines.

The Xianglong machine has been designed to overcome these limitations by integrating both technologies into a single platform. Developed using a fully domestic supply chain, the machine will now undergo its first field trial at a pumped-storage power project in Henan province being built by a subsidiary of the state-owned Power Construction Corporation of China.

China, which was once dependent on imported large-diameter tunnelling equipment, has emerged as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tunnel boring machines. Machines produced in Zhengzhou, a major manufacturing hub, have reportedly been exported to 36 countries.

Chinese authorities have also previously said that exports of certain heavy boring and drilling machines to India have been restricted, particularly for use in sensitive border infrastructure projects.

The latest development comes after Chinese engineers achieved another milestone by using a large-diameter shield tunnelling machine to complete an underwater tunnel beneath the Yangtze River. The project is expected to allow high-speed trains to travel under the river at speeds of up to 350 km per hour, marking a major advancement in China’s railway tunnelling technology.