Sandvik digitalizes underground drilling

Digitalization will improve drilling accuracy and cycle times and reduce operation costs by optimizing the drilling and bolting phase. Drilling as planned, with accurate visual information about drilling and bolting results, leads to continuous improvement across the whole mining process.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is drastically improving the drilling experience with its new Sandvik AutoMine compatible underground drilling offering. Based on proven Sandvik AutoMine technology that has been in use for more than 10 years in numerous underground mines, customers are now able to significantly upgrade their operation’s productivity and safety. New intelligent rigs, led by Sandvik DD422i development jumbo, will soon include long hole drills and bolters.

New 3D scanning technology makes drilling and also bolting more efficient by bringing in new tools and methods for continuous quality control. Blasting quality, overbreak and underbreak analyses together with continuous mine mapping increase overall drill and blast process efficiency significantly. Combining this with the Sandvik OptiMine information management platform provides a powerful tool for creating a true transparency and integration of underground mining operations. Sandvik showcases this new scanning technology in connection with the new Sandvik DD422iE electric development jumbo at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2016.

Sandvik has successfully delivered highly automated underground drilling systems for selected customers for many years. The company is now busy finalizing the commercialization of these offerings into global markets. This will bring Sandvik AutoMine-type tele-remote capabilities into new underground mining applications, including long hole and development drilling.

Sandvik underground drilling equipment is also now fully compatible with Sandvik OptiMine monitoring and future data-driven productivity technology. The connectivity comes standard for new equipment but retrofit kits are also available for existing equipment out in the field.

Scalable Sandvik automation solutions allow customers to choose the level of automatization they’re ready for, starting with tele-remotely controlled operation through to full fleet automated operation. With a wide range of automation options built into Sandvik drill rigs and bolters, customers can rest assured that their equipment is used efficiently and that the results meet the most demanding production requirements.

Sandvik has set up a fully functional automation control center to demonstrate its reliable and easy-to-use automation technology at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2016, enabling equipment in the company’s test mine in Finland to be operated live from Las Vegas.

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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.