Major contractor signs deal to use Sandvik’s advanced automation system with surface drills in Australia
A leading mining services provider will put Sandvik’s AutoMine® Surface Drilling solution to work at a mine in Australia, with the AutoMine® system to be used with existing Sandvik Leopard DI650i down-the-hole drill rigs on site. The aim is to increase efficiency and to build on the current high levels of safety. The AutoMine system allows a single operator to control up to three rigs simultaneously from the safety of a trailer, van or remote control room.
Safety and efficiency gains
Automation is playing an increasingly important role in boosting mine productivity and improving working conditions The AutoMine® system will ensure operator safety, with reduced noise, dust and vibration by removing the operator from the hazardous environment. Whilst, the consistent output will ensure increased efficiency with accurate drilling for easier blasting and improved fragmentation.
Enhanced surface drilling
Andy Garbett, Business Development Manager for Digitalisation for Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, says AutoMine for Surface provides a wide range of features to enhance drill performance at the mine site.
“The contractors willingness to embrace new technologies is one of the reasons they are so successful,” he says. “AutoMine’s onboard functions will enable the rigs on site to work autonomously, while the operator monitors the fleet. AutoMine has been proven over many years in Sandvik’s products for underground mines, where it has operated in extremely harsh environments.”
Sandvik provides dedicated AutoMine surface drilling solutions for both boom drills and rotary drills.