IM 2022 May 22 | Page 37

NORDIC SUPPLIERS with performance still to be evaluated . “ Additive manufacturing shows a lot of potential , both in reducing carbon footprint within the supply chain , through reduced or eliminated need for transport and storage of parts , and also shorter delivery times ,” Ronne Hamerslag , Head of Supply Management at Boliden , said . “ This trial will give us a deeper understanding on how we can move forward and develop our business in a competitive way .”
3D printing is an exciting prospect for OEMs too , as Sandvik ’ s Erik Lundén , President , Parts & Services at Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions , explained : “ Mining equipment can last up to 25 years – and needs to be supported throughout that time – even in the most remote of locations . We have many different SKUs ( stock keeping units ) and , from an inventory point of view , we can ’ t tie up the capital that keeping all these parts in stock would entail . 3D printing of parts locally offers us the prospect of not only getting parts to the customer much faster but doing so far more sustainably .”
Maintenance and repair operating items are likely to be the first parts to get the additive manufacturing treatment , such as the bushes , brackets , drill parts , etc that need to be changed every 3,000-4,000 hours .
But printing of the parts is only one part of the puzzle the trial is trying to solve .
Another is working out the future business model for 3D printed parts . Who does the printing – the OEM , the miner , or a third-party printing company ? What will the costs be ? What about intellectual property rights , warranties and liabilities ? All these elements – and more – need to be resolved in the development of a 3D printed future .
Hamerslag concluded : “ If you ask me , it ’ s the most exciting thing that ’ s happening in the supply chain . Its efficiency , speed and climate friendliness mean that we have to investigate additive manufacturing closely .
“ We are only at the proof-of-concept stage with Sandvik right now , but it ’ s already clear that it could become a game-changer for the spare parts business in mining – for both miners and equipment manufacturers .”
Avatel advancing
Speaking of collaborations with global significance , Sweden-based Epiroc and Australiabased Orica have continued to make progress on their fully mechanised development charging system , Avatel™ , in the face of a global pandemic .
Orica and Epiroc , back in 2019 , announced joint work on a semi-automated explosives delivery system , enabling safer and more productive blasting operations in underground mines . The companies said the partnership
would “ bring together the deep expertise and experience of two global industry leaders ” to address the growing demand from customers mining in increasingly more hazardous and challenging underground operations .
Avatel includes Orica ’ s HandiLoader™ emulsion process body , Epiroc ’ s M2C carrier and RCS 5 control system , working with Orica ’ s LOADPlus™ control system and WebGen™ 200 wireless initiation system and automated WebGen magazine . Epiroc has also incorporated an on-board dewatering and lifter debris clearing system , while Orica ’ s ShotPlus™ intelligent blast design software is being leveraged . These components help eliminate the need for traditional tie-ins and other physical wired connections from the charging cycle , the companies say .
Orica says this “ first-of-its-kind ” innovation enables a single operator to prepare and charge explosives from the safety of an enclosed cabin , several metres from the face and out of harm ’ s way .
“ Combined with Orica ’ s LOADPlus smart control system and Subtek Control bulk emulsion , customers can enjoy complete and repeatable control over blast energy from design through to execution ,” it added .
Trials with a prototype machine have been taking place at Epiroc ' s Kvarntorp Underground Test Mine in Sweden under controlled underground conditions before heading to Agnico Eagle ' s Kittilä Mine in Finland to complete extended underground trials in the production environment .
The first commercial unit is now on its way to Newcrest ' s Cadia operation , in New South Wales , Australia , with testing expected to commence shortly . Canada is also expecting its first Avatel unit later this year .
Fossil-free steel use
Another collaboration Epiroc is involved in could see the mining OEM use fossil-free steel in the production of its mining equipment .
Just last month , Epiroc signed up to a partnership with Sweden-based steelmaker SSAB , which will initially see the company use
Trials with a prototype Avatel machine have been taking place at Epiroc ’ s Kvantorp Underground Test Mine in Sweden under controlled underground conditions
fossil-free steel for material for a prototype underground machine produced at its facility in Örebro , Sweden . This is part of a wider plan Epiroc has to increase the usage of fossil-free steel over time .
SSAB aims to deliver fossil-free steel to the market in commercial scale during 2026 and delivered the first steel made of hydrogenreduced iron in 2021 . It is working with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall as part of the HYBRIT initiative to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron and steel production , replacing coking coal traditionally required for iron ore-based steelmaking , with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen . This process virtually eliminates carbon dioxide emissions in steel production , according to the HYBRIT partners .
Helena Hedblom , Epiroc ’ s President and CEO , said : “ This exciting partnership with SSAB will support us and our customers on the journey to reach our very ambitious climate goals . It is clear that our innovation agenda goes hand-in-hand with our customers ’ sustainability agenda .”
Martin Lindqvist , SSAB ’ s President and CEO , said the company was happy to welcome Epiroc into its partner group and it was looking forward to the fossil-free steel collaboration .
“ It ’ s a natural next step in our joint efforts to mitigate climate change ,” he added . “ Demand for fossil-free steel is increasing , which is one of the reasons for SSAB to bring forward its green transition with the ambition to largely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions around 2030 .”
Last year , Volvo Group revealed what it said was the world ’ s first vehicle made of fossil-free steel from SSAB , plus announced that more vehicles will follow in 2022 in what will be a series of concept vehicles and components using the material .
Doofor drills in demand
Finland-based Doofor Oy has produced hydraulic rock drills since 1993 , enjoying steady growth in the 19 years since its inception as its Nordicbased innovations have caught on across the globe .
In 2021 , the company saw notable year-on-
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