Mining companies and OEM suppliers alike strive to develop responsible mining practices, with safe and cost-effective production. One major step in this quest is to reduce diesel-powered equipment underground, which has a positive impact on environment, health and safety and also brings a big reduction in costs of ventilation.
Goldcorp, a leading gold producer with production throughout the Americas, is working with Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology to make its Borden Lake project one of the world’s first all-electric mine.
Borden Lake, located in the Canadian province of Ontario, is part of a pipeline of organic growth projects in Goldcorp’s portfolio. In 2015 Goldcorp announced indicated resources of 1.6 million ounces of gold at Borden Lake. As part of the development process, Goldcorp committed to making Borden Lake the world’s first all-electric mine, in order to ensure a higher standard of health and safety for employees and reduce both environmental impact and capital costs. Development at Borden Lake is scheduled to begin in early 2017. Goldcorp has selected Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology to provide a complete electric solution, including development equipment for the Borden Lake mine.
One of the equipment models already ordered for this project is Sandvik DD422iE, on display at the Sandvik booth at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2016 in Las Vegas. By using electric energy from an onboard battery during tramming, Sandvik DD422iE produces zero emissions while maneuvering between headings. This improves health and safety for miners working underground. Less diesel usage in a mine thanks to diesel-free drilling can ease ventilation requirements, while also reducing associated diesel logistics and maintenance expenses. Using the mine’s existing electric infrastructure, the Sandvik driveline technology enables the battery to recharge during the drilling cycle. The battery will even recharge while Sandvik DD422iE is tramming downhill, using energy generated by the braking system. The long-lasting pack will power the drill efficiently throughout its lifetime.
Goldcorp has a long term vision to develop the Borden Lake Mine to be one of the most environmentally friendly mines in the world. They have selected Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology to help develop technologies and equipment to meet this goal. A collaborative effort between Sandvik and Goldcorp will occur in the first years of the mine development to help ensure optimal solutions to achieving a truly green mine.
“This is truly a mutually beneficial relationship between Sandvik and Goldcorp where both companies have put a plan together to advance the technology needed for the project over the next three years,” Rakochy says.
Sudbury, Ontario 22 September 2016
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Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a high-tech and global engineering group offering advanced products and services that enhance customer productivity, profitability and safety. We hold world-leading positions in selected areas – tools and tooling systems for metal cutting; equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries; products in advanced stainless steels, special alloys, titanium, and metallic and ceramic resistance materials. In 2015, the Group had about 45,000 employees and sales of about 86 billion SEK in more than 150 countries.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, crushing and screening, loading and hauling, tunneling, quarrying and breaking and demolition. In 2015, sales were approximately 33 billion SEK with about 15,000 employees in continuing operations.