UNDERGROUND DRILLING
The Sandvik DD423iE delivers a 50 % increase in battery capacity and tramming range compared with the DD422iE previous models, and it can also compete predecessors, saying:“[ The ] Sandvik with six-cylinder diesel engines.
DD423iE’ s performance and range were
“ As a former driller, it was great to see quite impressive, especially compared to what a huge leap has been made from the
DD422iE to this device.” The high-performance battery system is engineered for demanding underground conditions, using three lithium iron phosphate batteries to deliver significant performance improvements in battery drilling, tramming and charging.
Battery safety underground remains paramount and the advanced safety architecture with multiple layers of monitoring and protection ensures safe operation, while the electric drivetrain provides instant torque, improving tramming efficiency and responsiveness.
Simon Morrissey, Product Manager for Development Drills at Sandvik Mining, said:“ The DD423iE combines our industryleading drilling expertise with the clear benefits of electrification. It allows our customers to maintain high performance while lowering operating costs and supporting their sustainability targets.”
A pragmatic engineering approach
While industry attention has so far focused primarily on the electrification of load-and-haul equipment, Mine Master argues the real potential for cost optimisation and improved working conditions lies in one of the most demanding applications: roof bolting at the face.
The Roof Master 1.8KEF is a low-profile roof bolter specifically engineered for underground hardrock mining operations
It is in low-profile workings where ventilation constraints, diesel emissions and heat generation from combustion engines create the greatest operational challenges. Roof bolting is a particularly demanding application in this respect, coming with not only severe space limitations, but also intensive duty cycles and continuous high demand on hydraulic systems.
Mine Master’ s response to these realities is the Roof Master 1.8KEF – a low-profile roof bolter specifically engineered for underground hard-rock mining operations. Unlike many market concepts that merely adapt existing diesel platforms, the Mine Master design was developed from the ground up to address the harsh operational realities of narrow headings and intensive bolting cycles, well known from the company’ s experience in Polish copper mines.
Crucially for the market credibility of the project, the RM 1.8KEF is a direct and deliberate evolution of the manufacturer’ s earlier electrification projects, drawing on operational experience gained from the deployment of the Roof Master 1.8E and Face Master 1.7LE machines.
This technological continuity is reflected in the machine’ s pragmatic engineering approach. Mine Master combined a modern electric architecture with the Titan Mast AK bolting system supplied by J. H. Fletcher. As a result, the company achieved full drivetrain electrification without compromising established working procedures or the proven efficiency of the bolting process, it says.
For underground crews, the most noticeable benefit of batteryelectric drive implementation is the complete elimination of diesel emissions and the significant reduction of noise and vibration levels directly at the operator’ s workstation, Mine Master says. Equally important in deep mining environments is the reduction of heat emissions and ventilation costs.
The Roof Master 1.8KEF was designed with maximum operational practicality in mind, Mine Master says. Its drivetrain architecture eliminates several wear-prone mechanical components, such as traditional clutches, replacing them with“ maintenance-free” permanent magnet synchronous motors. Fewer moving parts directly translate into fewer potential failure points and simplified routine maintenance – a critical factor for machine availability in continuous mining operations.
Additionally, the machine features modular battery trays to enable easy service access and battery handling; advanced energy management, including regenerative systems capable of recovering energy during braking and downhill travel in variable underground terrain; and flexible configuration options.
Mine Master added:“ The introduction of the new drive technology did not require a revolution in operator habits. Mine Master retained standard control interfaces and software logic familiar from other machines in the company’ s product range. As a result, operator training requirements were minimised, enabling mines to implement a gradual and trouble-free transition toward low-emission fleets.”
26 International Mining | JULY 2026