SURFACE DRILLING
which has a soft-start transformer option that limits the impact of starting the drill on weak power grids by reducing the initial inrush current. This can reduce overall power infrastructure cost and increase the life of the main motor and compressor. This is complemented by the newer models – in ascending order first the ZT44, an articulated tracked drill designed for mining applications and featuring dual-engine and compressor control settings- it is used for production, pre-split and auxiliary uses. Then there are two new rotary drills – first the ZR77 that features an innovative boxer-style mast paired with a single rack and pinion pulldown system. This machine can be configured for rotary or DTH drilling, diesel or electric power, and single- or multi-pass drilling. Finally, the ZR122 can be configured for rotary or DTH drilling, diesel or electric power, and single- or multi-pass drilling. This drill Komatsu says is the workhorse for 311 mm hard rock drilling in the toughest mining applications.
IM also caught up with Matt Collins, Director of Drill Sales and Business Development at Komatsu. He states:“ The 320XPC is established; it was introduced back in 2007, so we ' ve got a number of them out there, including in a lot of high production, large iron ore and copper mines where you ' re anywhere from 12¼ in or larger up to 17 in holes. The newer drills are still being established in the market though are operating at a number of sites, and across different commodity types. We have been developing and testing out new functions and features and options; and as a result have added in some new capabilities.”
Collins added that the ZR122 was first introduced at copper mines in the US southwest back in 2021.“ This was a really good test for us being a copper porphyry with some voids and very varied geology with harder and softer strata which allowed us to better perfect our auto drill algorithm in terms of speed control and force control. It allowed us to make tweaks so that so we don’ t stall out the bit, destroy it, or have any kind of inconsistencies in penetration rates for example.”
For many of Komatsu’ s drill customers, it is their first experience with one of the new Komatsu drill models, but they have performed well. Collins:“ In some recent deployments we have seen 95 % availability, meantime to repairs of less than five hours and meantime between failures of over 150 hours. This is because we chose durable components and designed them in a protective state to handle the vibrations that come with blasthole drill operation. But another big upside is service – and this leads into what I would say differentiates Komatsu from other options when we are still a relatively new player with these drills. We have an eager and focused team that will do whatever it takes and go above and beyond – with no complacency. We make sure our service technicians have the right tools for the job and support the highest drill performance.”
The recent Komatsu 2025 Quarry Days were another chance for Komatsu to showcase its new drills and operators were able to try out the ZT44.“ In addition to the size and power of the ZT44, it has more turnability, overall manoeuvrability and tractive effort.
It provides a powerful alternative to existing rigs in that part of the market. It also competes well in applications where rotary drills are challenged in getting into tight spots and have issues with flexibility and set up time. You can also do angled drilling, drill on a bench on an incline and just do more with the drill asset.”
A ZT44 has just been shipped to Origin Mining’ s Mineral Park copper mine in Arizona for contractor Turner Mining Group in March 2025 and will be followed by another three at the same operation where Turner was recently awarded a six year contract – the drills are part of a US $ 25 million fleet. Also at MINExpo 2024, Komatsu held a special dedication to showcase its ongoing partnership with Turner Mining, now one of the leading surface mining contractors in North America and the first contractor to deploy the ZT44 extended mast. Some features on the ZT44 were highlighted at the show including an extended mast, a dry dust suppression system, and additional in-cab filtration to meet latest ISO standards.
Keaton Turner, President and Founder of Turner Mining Group said:“ Core Machinery and Komatsu have been great partners for the last three or so years – it will be really fun to put this drill to work – we’ ve piloted a test drill with awesome results. Great feedback from the site already and great penetration.” Turner recently added in a podcast:“ Komatsu has done a lot to differentiate themselves... what won the drill package, for four drills, was creativity with how they are going to invoice us for them, and
The Komatsu ZT44 is a powerful contender in its class of tracked drills
creativity on how they were going to prove these drills are capable and the best product fit for our needs on site.”
On the ZR122, Collins added:“ In copper, it has shown fantastic availability and penetration rates, almost keeping up with the 320XPC by performing within 20 %, despite the 320XPC being a whole segment larger plus more powerful
and with a higher CAPEX. The ZR122 has better turnability than the 320XPC so makes up some of that gap thanks to its manoeuverability. The ZR122 bit carousel also allows you to have different bit sizes on board – we had 12¼ then 10⅝ bit diameter and a 9¼ drill pipe – the customer was able to use 12¼ on the production pattern then move into the trim shot with the smaller diameter and tighter spacing. So two applications with one drill without having to take it down and load up new drill string.”
While Komatsu is firmly focused on North and South America with its new drills, reflecting the existing historical P & H 320XPC drill strength in those regions, new markets are emerging for Komatsu drills including in Africa – again this has developed due to the ZT44 having capabilities beyond the tracked drills they currently have in operation.
Finally, back to autonomy, and as stated at MINExpo 2024 Komatsu showed off non line of sight teleoperation for a ZR77 drill. Automation for the 320XPC is moving ahead with customers in Canada, Peru and Chile. This includes auto hole to hole, auto bit changing, auto drilling, auto levelling, collision avoidance, auto mast raise and LiDAR sensors that do point cloud analysis right at the sensor rather than using a lot of bandwidth. Collins:“ So intelligence on the
asset itself – and we are having success with that. This applies to the rotaries – on the ZT44 testing is underway with teleremote as starting point – this work is together with a customer and a third party technology partner.”
IM
International Mining | APRIL 2025