Portugal’s mining strategy may favour copper over lithium
Portugal already has the largest copper mine in the European Union, operated by Lundin Mining.
To match the increased energy output from modern high-power rock drills in drifting and tunneling, Sandvik has made even greater advancements in the Alpha 330 drilling tool system to control power and, most importantly, ensure that it is transmitted into the rock as efficiently, accurately and economically as possible.
Designed and dimensionally optimized to replace the R32 connections, the dominant Ø 45 mm system to date, the drill string rod/bit connection now features an entirely new thread design. A shorter thread on the hexagonal rods in the tool system results in a rigid, integrated power pack drill string with superior resistance to bending stresses, securing perfect energy transfer. This sturdy thread design is well guided inside the bit skirt, offering higher precision in collaring – even in complex rock formations and uneven surfaces. More steel for higher fatigue strength makes the connection rigid compared to the R32, to give exact collaring and straighter holes and delivering a 30 to 80 per cent increase in rod life.
SANDVIK ALPHA 330 BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY
The Alpha 330 system benefits from the inherently stronger and more rigid R33 thread with a significantly larger cross-section than R32, making it proportionately stronger. To further improve rigidity, Sandvik has introduced a new guiding function between the rod and bit-skirt, immediately behind the thread. The rod cross section over the guide is now 36% larger (Alpha vs R32) at the rear of the connection, greatly improving the rigidity of the joint. After the bit skirt, the rod cross-section increases to Hex-35 quickly and smoothly. The sturdy thread is well guided inside the bit skirt, offering high precision in collaring – even in complex rock formations and uneven surfaces.
In tests, in varying rock conditions, the new design has been proven to deliver 30 to 80 per cent increase in rod life, more accurate collaring and straighter blast-holes that give greater advancement, improved profile-control and yet again brings down the overall cost of drifting and tunneling.
