Inauguration ceremony for new high load rock cutting test rig in Zeltweg, Austria

Sandvik Mining proudly commissioned a new high load hard rock cutting test rig as part of its continued investment in research and technology and commitment to hard rock mechanical cutting.  The official inauguration ceremony took place on the 3rd of March in Zeltweg. Members of Sandvik R&D Board and representatives from Business Area Sandvik Mining joined this special occasion.

Sandvik Mining has identified hard rock continuous mining as a strategic initiative to align with our Customer Focus and Innovation values to develop safer, more productive and more cost efficient system solutions for our customers.

As a result, the competence center for mechanical cutting in Zeltweg has continued to investigate suitable cutting technologies and machine concepts and the critical need for a full scale test rig to validate hard rock
cutting became evident for future product development. The engineering design, planning, construction and assembly of the high load rock cutting test rig commenced in August 2013 and was completed at the end of 2014.

Since the beginning of 2015, various cutting tests were initiated which will all contribute to the development of different hard rock cutting technologies for application in rapid mine development and production machine concepts.

Janne Uotila, Vice President Product Development and Global Technology, Global Equipment, pointed out the necessity of this investment. He emphasized the need for continuous pioneering results to stay relevant as a tool and equipment supplier, for which the cutting test rig will be of great value.

Amsterdam, 3 March 2015

Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a global industrial group with advanced products and world-leading positions in selected areas – tools for metal cutting, equipment and tools for the mining and construction industries, stainless materials, special alloys, metallic and ceramic resistance materials as well as process systems. In 2013 the Group had about 47,000 employees and representation in 130 countries, with annual sales of about 87,300 MSEK.

Sandvik Mining
Sandvik Mining is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a leading global supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining industry. The offering covers rock drilling, rock cutting, rock crushing, loading and hauling and materials handling. In 2013 sales amounted to about 30,700 MSEK, with approximately 13,000 employees.