GROUND SUPPORT
indented cable bolt that can reduce the minimum critical bond length to one metre,” says Scolari.“ This helps optimise cable performance while also providing dynamic energy absorption in the event of rockbursts. This new product will be launched soon.”
Another innovation is Sandvik’ s Fast Cable Anchor( FCA), designed for both cement- and pumpable-resin-based systems. The technology enables immediate cable tensioning following installation, eliminating the waiting period typically associated with curing times.
“ The FCA uses a specially designed expansion shell and hard-metal grip that provides reliable anchoring immediately after installation,” says Scolari.“ The key benefit is that operators can tension the cable straight away rather than waiting for grout or resin to cure. This reduces installation time and improves overall efficiency.”
While hardware innovations remain important, Sandvik is equally focused on digitalisation and quality assurance. Central to this strategy is the SICA control system, which delivers comprehensive monitoring and documentation of pumpable resin installations.
“ The system gives operators and mine management complete visibility over the installation process,” says Scolari.“ You can record resin volumes, installation times and key quality parameters for every bolt or cable installation. This creates full traceability and provides valuable data for quality control and continuous improvement.”
Pumpable resin systems are also proving valuable in rehabilitation projects, where self-drilling anchor solutions improve installation efficiency in fractured and unstable ground conditions.
“ We want to continue providing customers with the full range of ground support options, from standard solutions through to advanced reinforcement technologies. Different mines have different requirements, and there is no single solution that fits every application. With DSI Underground now part of Sandvik, we can combine decades of ground support expertise with integrated systems, automation, quality control and digital monitoring technologies. The goal is always the same: delivering the right ground support solution for each mining environment.”
Looking ahead, Scolari believes digitalisation will play an increasingly important role in modern ground support strategies. Through Sandvik’ s Digital Ground Support Platform, mines can combine monitoring, analysis and documentation into a single system, creating actionable insights from ground support data.
By providing real-time information on
32 ground conditions, rock mass behavior and support performance, these technologies help operators make better-informed decisions, improve safety and optimise support designs. As the industry continues to push deeper and into more challenging environments, the integration of advanced reinforcement technologies with digital quality-control and monitoring systems is set to become a defining feature of the next generation of underground mining.
Soon, Sandvik is set to introduce two new digital ground support monitoring solutions based on ultrasonic technology. Both of these will provide information about the consumed capacity of installed bolts, providing valuable insights in ground conditions and ground support performance.
Epiroc – experience mixed with innovation
Epiroc has a full suite of bolting technologies and rig delivery possibilities – and pumpable resin is a major priority because of the speed combined with static and dynamic strength it offers. Epiroc’ s big success to date has been applying pumpable resin systems with its dedicated bolting rigs – the Boltec range of machines. It has now sold over 100 Boltecs with pumpable resin systems on board.
A great recent customer example is Outokumpu’ s Kemi chromite mine. As underground operations at Kemi mine have progressed, changes in stress profiles in the rock mass have created fracture zones between older surface operations and the underground working areas. These fractures have allowed water to infiltrate certain zones, creating significant challenges for the installation of traditional cement-grouted cable bolts.
Depth brings further challenges beyond water infiltration. As the mine expands into even deeper orebodies, including a trial mining area at about the 900 level, the overall ground conditions become increasingly demanding.
“ Cement-grouted bolts are not usable everywhere. Water washes the cement away, and for this reason we must develop”, explains Arto Palokangas, Mining Operations Engineer at Kemi mine.“ We have acquired new equipment so we can use resin bolting to reinforce these fractured rock zones and water-bearing areas. It’ s significantly faster and brings major cost efficiencies.”
Epiroc’ s Boltec with pumpable resin technology and extension drilling with Self Drilling Anchors the OEM says has delivered a breakthrough. Traditional cable bolting struggles in broken ground: when the drill string is pulled out, the hole often collapses. With SDA technology, the bolt is installed as it is drilled, eliminating the risk of hole closure. Pumpable resin is then injected through the bolt, ensuring complete encapsulation, even in areas of voids and fractured rock conditions.
“ We can pretty much guarantee a high-quality installation every time. It’ s faster, safer, and more sustainable because you don’ t need to return for rework. In challenging ground, SDA bolting with resin completely changes what is possible,” says Peter Bray, Global Product Manager- Rock Reinforcement Equipment at Epiroc’ s Underground division.
Additionally, he emphasised Epiroc’ s experience to IM:“ For us, pumpable resin is no longer something new in terms of rock reinforcement. The first machine we delivered was in 2018. Also, in terms of applying resin with a degree of automation- technically and software wise, Boltec rigs are not too dissimilar to our already fully automated Simba long hole drills, so we have been able to build on that experience.” In fact, the first fully automated Simba
Epiroc’ s Boltec with pumpable resin technology and extension drilling with Self Drilling Anchors working at Outokumpu’ s Kemi mine
International Mining | AUGUST 2026