Skeena Gold & Silver has selected Sandvik Mining to supply four Leopard™ DI650i down-the-hole (DTH) drill rigs for early works construction activities at its flagship Eskay Creek gold-silver project in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle.
The order, which was booked in April, represents a meaningful step forward in the ongoing advancement of one of Canada’s highest-grade open-pit precious metal projects. Sandvik has already delivered three of the drills, with the fourth scheduled to arrive on site in June.
The acquisition was secured through a successful collaboration between Sandvik and the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC), reinforcing both companies’ commitment to Indigenous partnerships and localised value creation in Northern British Columbia.
“Skeena selected the Leopard™ DI650i platform for its versatility, proven performance, digital integration capabilities and the reliability needed to meet our project timelines,” said Kyle Foster, Vice President of Operations at Skeena. “Sandvik’s demonstrated partnership with TNDC, along with its growing support infrastructure in BC, were essential in making this a strategic fit for Eskay Creek.”
The Eskay Creek project is recognised for its potential to become one of the most economically robust and environmentally responsible open-pit mines globally. To help achieve this vision, Skeena’s investment in Leopard™ DI650i drills is bolstered by an integrated Sandvik Remote Monitoring Service (RMS) agreement. Under the 12-month program, Sandvik specialists will remotely monitor drill productivity and health data, helping to predict and prevent equipment failures while maximising operational efficiency and minimising material waste.
“We’re proud to support Skeena with our advanced surface drilling solutions at Eskay Creek,” said Kevin McEachern, Business Line Manager for Surface Drills at Sandvik Mining. “The Leopard™ DI650i delivers high precision, efficiency and uptime even in the most demanding applications. Combined with our RMS technology and local technician support, it represents a truly future-ready solution for Skeena’s ambitious goals.”
Sandvik will also provide on-site technician support through a comprehensive service agreement, alongside a consignment inventory arrangement to ensure critical parts are readily available at site – further enhancing equipment availability and minimising downtime for the upcoming construction activities.
This partnership is further supported by Sandvik’s growing Canadian service footprint, including its facility in Surrey and the newly established Prince George location. Both sites will play a key role in providing aftermarket support, technical expertise and inventory management to Eskay Creek.