IM 2019 April 19 | Page 43

SURFACE DRILLING testing at a gold mine in Nevada. “The drills deliver application flexibility, fuel-efficient performance and enhanced safety with outstanding operator comfort and ease of maintenance.” “The PV-231 builds on the innovation and success of the Pit Viper PV-235, which is operating at more than 20 major mine sites, while maintaining the highest levels of productivity and reliability. One customer base looking to get as much value out of a single-pass surface drill is the gold market. Epiroc has worked with many gold mining companies to make the drilling process more productive and efficient with the PV-231.” The new Sandvik xSeries family of rotary & DTH drills is built upon the proven design, and legendary reliability of our diesel-powered rotary blast hole drills and features added intelligence Mining and Rock Technology. “In developing the xSeries, we’ve taken our customers’ feedback into our research and development efforts and are proud of the newest addition to our product line.” Sandvik also recently launched an entirely new high-pressure DTH drill rig to complete its offering in the upper hole size range. Building on sound and proven engineering solutions and components, Leopard DI650i delivers solid productivity and advanced automation options for challenging rock conditions. Boliden Kevitsa mine has produced nickel, copper, gold, platinum and palladium in northern Finland since 2012. The new Leopard DI650i was tested by Boliden’s drilling contractor E. Hartikainen Oy in the demanding Arctic conditions in early 2018, in temperatures as low as -35°C. The ground conditions at Kevitsa are challenging due to extremely hard fragmented rock. Leopard DI650i was taken to regular 24/7 production use after a brief set-up. Over two months, the unit accumulated more than 900 engine hours and more than 500 drilling hours and produced more than 15,000 drilled metres. Leopard DI650i delivered excellent availability throughout the test. It was early in 2018 that Komatsu launched the 77XR, which has 77,000 pounds of maximum bit loading capacity, can be configured for rotary or hammer drilling, diesel or electric power, and single- or multi-pass drilling. This machine is designed to deliver an up to 10% maintenance and repair cost advantage and up to 5% availability advantage. Australia looks likely to & improved operator ergonomics, providing operators with the right balance of reliability and technology to drill the drill the perfect hole safely. Easy to learn, operate and service the xSeries offers a migration path to the iSeries should the customers business needs dictate. Additional highlights of the xSeries include: n Touch screen GUI interface featuring the Sandvik Automation Module (SAM) offering the following options. n Health monitoring system – replaces old style shutdown switches and enables continuous, real-time measurement, allowing the operator to take the necessary actions in advance of any alarm situation. n Same hardware and software components as our i-Series machine including a 7” mobile grade rugged touch screen and latest generation PLC. n Improved user experience – enhanced control system features (as found with our i-Series machines) reduce troubleshooting time and 0 risk of contamination TM THE NEW METHOD FOR 5 X 1 % more Down to efficient 1% grease handling residue GREASE DISCHARGE The one of a kind discharging solution for lubricants in mining and steel industry STURDY & STRONG • For demanding heavy-duty work environments • Twists with great force, leaving little residue in the Fluid-Bag SAFE & SEALED • Grease is kept clean from dust, particles and moisture • Discharge behind metal safety doors, no risk of injuries FLUID-BAG squeezed by TAU increase availability. Familiar Sandvik “look and feel” graphical user interface reduces the learning curve. n CMS (Compressor Management System) Lite electronic controlled compressor system n Oversize driller’s window offers a superb view of the drill table during operation and FLUID-BAG, 1000 or 900 l grease improved visibility during tramming. n Bolt-on mast locks eliminate cutting and welding, making mast change-outs easy. n Swivel-enabled operators seat with integrated electrohydraulic controls simplifies operation and offers improved visibility of operating environment. “For decades, customers have counted on Sandvik to develop the most durable products in the market – rigs that will be able to work at a mine site for decades,” said Jacques Britz, Vice President, Surface Pedestal Drills, Sandvik The Greek letter Tau, which defines torque, inspired the name of our most powerful yet grease discharger Patent Pending www.fluid-bag.com APRIL 2019 | International Mining 41