IM met with Poland-based underground mining drills major Mine Master last week at Expomin where amongst other products the company was showcasing its new Production Master 2.3 longhole rig. The company has sold three of the machines to Hindustan Zinc in India, with the first shipped in October 2017, the second also shipped and a third on its way, with discussions ongoing with potential customers in Chile and Peru. The rig uses a Montabert HC112 rock drill and can drill 64 to 165 mm holes.

The machine was developed in coooperation with CMAC Thyssen in Quebec, which developed the feeder, and is used for parallel (upwards/downwards) as well as vertical and inclined rings and fan drilling. The positioning system has 180 degree drilling table rotation and 360 degree feeder rotation. The carosuel type rod handler enables the drilling of long holes and is remotely controlled from the operator’s Bluetooth control panel.

The rig has a diesel powered articulated chassis with permanent 4-wheel drive as well as fail safe wet multi disc brakes with additional emergency parking brake. Hydraulic steering and hydraulic controls help ensure low operational cost and high performance. It employs a Dana off-highway powershift transmission and off-highway drive axles, with a liquid cooled Deutz engine. The rod ahndler has a capacity of 16+2 rods. Options include a closed cabin with goose neck solution, electric operation via cable reel and voltages to suit customer requirements.