NEW EQUIPMENT
To produce the Leopard DI650i intelligent drill, Sandvik collaborated closely with Aveng Moolmans.
MRH6, which is designed to perform in
the most robust environments and larger
hole sizes. It is a perfect fit for Sandvik’s
new powerful RH560-series DTH
hammers.
The maintenance crew can carry out
all daily servicing tasks at ground level on
both sides of the machine. The advanced
serviceability and reliability features can
increase Leopard DI650i’s availability by up
to 20% compared with conventional DTH
rigs at a similar technology level.
The product has been developed at
Sandvik’s Finland Tampere branch, which
produces all Sandvik’s top hammer drill
rigs — including the DPi1500 range, a
market leader in terms of top hammer
drills, Ranger DX800, DX900, and the
Leopard DI550.
To produce this intelligent drill,
Sandvik collaborated closely with Aveng
Moolmans.
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NOVEMBER 2018
Motilal adds, “We have conducted trials
in Europe where the DI650i has exceeded
the benchmark criteria against the
competition. Therefore, we are excited to
see how this machine will perform on site
with Aveng Moolmans, one of the largest
surface mining contractors in Africa.”
Given the solid relationship between
the two parties, spanning over 20 years,
they were keen to partner to embrace
the latest technology journey. Following
product development, Aveng Moolmans
purchased the first DI650i drill rig for use
at its Gamsberg operation in the
Northern Cape.
Scalability
Initially launched at Electra Mining —
Africa’s key mining and construction
equipment event which showcases
the latest cutting-edge innovations and
technologies in machinery, equipment,
products, consumables, services, and
solutions — the DI650i will be showcased
to Sandvik’s customers at a roadshow in
Kathu, Northern Cape.
Though, with Africa often viewed
as somewhat ‘behind the curve’, is the
continent ready for a smart drill rig and,
despite an eagerness to acquire the
latest autonomous drill rig, are customers
really set up and ready to embrace it?
Motilal believes that many mines are;
she explains: “It is good to note that the
Leopard DI650i has scalable automation,
which means that clients can customise
it to meet their immediate needs and
expand existing equipment capability with
additional functionality as the need arises.”
The latest on-board options include
TIM3D drill navigation with wireless data
transfer, My Sandvik fleet monitoring
system, and full-cycle drilling automatics,
which merge functionalities such as
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