To strengthen its position as a leading mining rock drill manufacturer, Sandvik is investing SEK260 million to increase its rock drill production capacity in Tampere, Finland. The phased expansion will initially increase production capacity by 25%, with the potential to increase by a further 20%.

“We see continuously increasing demand for our rock drills for surface and underground mining and civil engineering applications, driven both by aftermarket growth and drilling equipment sales,” said Petri Virrankoski, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ Surface Drilling Division. “This investment will strengthen our position as the leader in rock drill development and manufacturing.”

The first phase of the project will be complete by the end of 2024 and includes the design and construction of a 1,600-square-meter extension to the existing production facility. New machine tools will also be integrated into the site’s flexible manufacturing system, featuring automation and autonomous mobile robots.

Depending on demand development, the 1,600-square-meter extension would then also be able to accommodate installation of additional new machine tools during 2025, delivering even more production capacity by 2027.

“For more than 50 years, Sandvik rock drills have been renowned for their high quality, endurance and reliability,” said Timo Laitinen, Vice President Business Unit Rock Drills at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “Our facility expansion will accommodate state-of-the art production equipment that will help us uphold that reputation as we meet increasing demand for our rock drills.”