UNDERGROUND DRILLING
The core innovation of the Roof Master 1.7KA machine is its patented fully-automatic bolting mast
Furthermore, the rig offers a wide operational range, with the ability to bolt within a +/- 90 ° angle, providing 360 ° support capabilities in complex excavations.
The most profound impact of the Roof Master 1.7KA is the physical removal of the operator from the immediate danger zone, Mine Master says. The machine features a fully enclosed, ergonomic, air-conditioned FOPS / ROPS certified cabin, where the operator manages the entire process via a digital interface. Feedback from Mine Master’ s testing partners, including KGHM’ s health and safety departments and social labour inspections, highlighted a marked improvement in work comfort and a total reduction in direct exposure to the face.
Andrzej Czajkowski, Vice President of the Management Board at Mine Master Sp. z o. o., said:“ The automation of the bolting process results in improved safety and comfort for the operator, the ability to work
22 in difficult conditions, and better quality and repeatability of the process.”
Deep Automation of drilling, bolting ops
Epiroc is taking its own step forward for underground automation by expanding its Deep Automation portfolio to also include solutions for underground drilling and bolting.
The updated Deep Automation concept supports customers at every stage of their automation journey, from remote operations to higher levels of autonomy, while ensuring safe and predictable performance combined with consistent results, the OEM says.
“ With Deep Automation, we are building an even stronger, more holistic automation offering and advancing our vision of a seamless ecosystem approach,” Rickard Johansson, VP Marketing at Epiroc’ s Underground division, says.“ This is of
The MUKI family from RESEMIN has become a benchmark in narrow-vein underground mining, with around 350 units currently operating in different parts of the world. The portfolio includes the MUKI FF for face drilling( pictured), the MUKI LHBP for long-hole drilling and the MUKI Bolter for ground support applications, all operating off the smallest jumbo drill platform in the world particular importance as many mining operations move to greater depths and face new challenges.”
Deep Automation, Epiroc’ s cutting‐edge suite of automation solutions for underground mining, is designed to unlock the full potential for forward-thinking mining operations and now includes solutions for both drilling and material handling. By combining advanced technologies across key mining processes, it optimises applications throughout the mining cycle – enhancing safety, productivity and operational efficiency, the OEM says.
First introduced in 2023, Deep Automation covers Epiroc’ s set of automation systems and applications, used to orchestrate loaders and trucks in underground mining operations. Deep Automation has also been successfully integrated with other mining systems, enabling interoperability across equipment from different OEMs, according to the company.
Deep Automation has already helped mines unlock millions of tonnes of ore that would not have been possible to recover safely without automation.
By evolving into a unified concept for both drilling and material handling automation, Epiroc says it is empowering mines to“ unlock new levels of performance, drive continuous improvement and build operational excellence – today and in the years ahead”.
Guilherme Paiva, Global Automation Lead at Epiroc’ s Underground division, said Deep Automation for drilling can significantly improve the bottom line for underground operations through greater precision and optimised processes, enabling up to 30 % faster mine development rates and up to 70 % shorter stoping cycles.
“ This also helps reduce waste and improve fragmentation – leading to positive downstream effects in rock reinforcement and material handling such as increased machine utilisation and overall output,” he added.
Redefining versatility in underground development
In underground hard-rock mining, productivity gains are increasingly driven by equipment versatility, operator efficiency and platform standardisation.
Komatsu says its ZB21 bolter and ZJ21 jumbo drill exemplify this shift, delivering high-performance capabilities in compact, small-class machines while leveraging a shared common-carrier architecture. Both rigs also feature a Level 9 PDS compatible interface – a first for this product class – supporting advanced interoperability and integration with modern mine automation and control systems. This approach is
International Mining | JULY 2026