Responding to customer requests for versatility in surface drilling, Joy Global last week introduced its P&H 77XD blasthole drill, which can be configured for rotary or hammer drilling, diesel or electric power, and single- or multi-pass drilling.

This new machine, which debuted on the MINExpo show floor in Las Vegas, is designed to deliver an up to 10% maintenance and repair cost advantage, and an up to 5% availability advantage. The drill’s name reflects its 77,000 lb of maximum bit loading capacity.

The first machine will be shipped to operate at Kinross Gold’s Bald Mountain gold mine in Nevada.

With a focus on solving today’s toughest mining challenges, Joy Global equipped the first of its next generation of P&H drills with features to help extend equipment life, reduce costs and improve safety, including:

• Robust solid boxer style mast construction with a simple rack and pinion pulldown design to reduce maintenance effort while increasing drilling forces
• Innovative automatic bit handling and pipe handling functions to improve safety and increase machine utilization
• Intelligent compressor control, which manages power consumption and associated bailing velocity, to lower operating costs.
• Several other smart features are available for the drill to facilitate improved cycle times, including: enhanced auto drill and electronic load sense control. The 77XD is compatible with Joy Global’s new high-precision GPS tele-remote operation console and automation solution, which includes features such as geo fencing, auto navigation, obstacle detection and mitigation, Hawkeye 360 camera system, and more.