UNDERGROUND DRILLING
Since the rollout of the first Sandvik batteryelectric drill in 2016 – the DD422iE – over 3 million metres have been drilled and over 13,000 km have been trammed with these machines
Sandvik highly automated drills are based on electric driveline technology , featuring the latest technology in drilling automation , data management and tele remote operations . Its i- series automated battery-powered drills avoid spreading diesel emissions into the environment and help reducing thermal load and requirements for ventilation capacity underground . Continuous , unmanned operations through shift changes and breaks , utilising data up and downloads through wireless networks are delivering high levels of performance while ensuring safer operations . Increased equipment utilisation and productivity while reducing diesel emissions towards zero make the underground working environment safer for the teams in operation .
The Sandvik DS412iE is a highly automated and productive , battery-powered , bolter for underground mining operations and civil construction tunnelling . This bolter is equipped with an electric driveline system including a battery package and electric motor for zero emissions while tramming . The Sandvik DL422iE is a fully automated , battery-powered top hammer longhole drill designed for underground mass mining in 4 x 4 m or larger production drifts . It is capable of drilling vertical and inclined fans and single or parallel Ø89-127 mm longholes up to 54 m in depth using ST58 and ST68 tube rods . Finally , the Sandvik DD422iE is an electric mining jumbo designed to drive down production costs while reducing the environmental impacts of drilling and tunnelling . Major benefits of this innovative electric drill rig include zero emissions during tramming and improved productivity . The drill rig ' s welldesigned structures and proven components ensure a reliable workplace for both operators and maintenance crews .
These rigs are equipped with an electric driveline system including a battery package and an electric motor for zero emissions and reduced operating costs . Coupled with its smart battery charging system , Sandvik says its drills will help customers to maximise utilisation of their mine ’ s electrical infrastructure . The batteries can be charged during drilling , while electric power can be drawn from the system for supporting the electrical supply from the mine ’ s network . The battery even recharges while the rig is tramming downhill , using energy generated by the braking system .
Epiroc ’ s new Boomer S10 S pushes the boundaries
Being the world ’ s first automated one-boom jumbo for the small segment , Epiroc ’ s new Boomer S10 S it says pushes the boundaries of what ’ s to be expected from a face drilling rig . The Boomer S10 S provides near surgical precision in drilling and major cost savings throughout the cycle – all thanks to being the world ’ s first oneboom jumbo featuring Epiroc ’ s Rig Control System . The consistent , repeatable , and quality assured results are made possible by advanced automation , operator assisting features and digital drill plans . “ With Boomer S10 S as our latest addition , we are proud to offer a sustainable automated operation for the small segment , with a complete range of automated rigs for face drilling , production drilling and rock reinforcement underground ,” said Sarah Hoffman , VP Sales & Marketing at Epiroc ’ s Underground division . Epiroc says the new Boomer S10 S doesn ’ t compromise on quality . “ And in this case , great quality means cost savings in terms of wear and tear of rock drilling tools , spare parts , and other consumables . Compared to traditional , non-automated oneboom jumbos , Boomer S10 S decreases the consumption of consumable parts with 30 % while lowering maintenance costs by 12 %.”
Thanks to the digital drill plans and Epiroc ’ s Rig Control System the drill rig “ is perfectly aligned in the drift to optimise ultimate accuracy ,” providing less overbreak and underbreak , and longer pull rounds . “ The Rig Control System provides drilling accuracy way beyond what human eye measure could ever accomplish . It is highquality production from start to finish , and a great milestone reached for mine development ,” said Niklas Berggren , Global Product Manager face drilling equipment at Epiroc . When applying the High Performance Development method – a way of working during the entire drill cycle – the Boomer S10 S offers up to 25 % more development metres compared to traditional one-boom jumbos . The total cycle time is reduced thanks to better pull-length , fragmentation and less need for scaling . “ It ’ s a snowball effect on productivity : accurate drilling holes means less explosives , less scaling and better tunnel profiles . In turn , a better tunnel profile means less rock reinforcement and less tear on all the machines in the drift . All this leads to severe cost reductions and increases productivity and safety for everyone involved ,” Berggren explains .
Epiroc ’ s Rig Control System , RCS , was first implemented in 1998 . The system is used for controlling several vital functions in Epiroc ’ s machines . It is also an enabler for several productivity increasing , efficiency boosting and cost saving automation features .
Designed for great ergonomics with lower vibration levels and sound levels (< 75 dbA ), “ the Boomer S10 S is a pure joy to use for the operator . Apart from offering better visibility and a multi-functional joystick , Boomer S10 S grants higher comfort and a significant reduction of live work .”
Battery electric drill orders filtering in
Both Epiroc and Sandvik have been announcing major order packages over the past year , which include battery development jumbos . In April 2022 , Epiroc announced a major battery-electric and autonomous fleet order from the owners of the Odyssey Mine in Malartic , Québec , Canada . The order , from the Canadian Malartic Partnership , will be used in the new underground gold mine . The Odyssey Mine will be accessed by a ramp and a shaft estimated to be 1,800 m deep . Plans are to extract 19,000 t of ore at an estimated grade of about 2.75 g / t gold and roughly 5,000 t / d of waste rock during peak operations . The equipment ordered during the March quarter includes battery-electric versions of the Boltec ( an M10 Boltec ) rock reinforcement drill rig , Simba production drill rig and Boomer
Odyssey project operator training on an Epiroc underground drill simulator
46 International Mining | JUNE 2022