Epiroc has introduced a new single pass rotary blasthole drill rig for quarrying and small mining operations at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The DM30 II SP (Single Pass) crawler-mounted, hydraulic tophead-drive rig offers faster hole-to-hole drilling and a lower cost per tonne through single-pass capability, it says.

Showcased at the company’s CONEXPO booth, it is built off the same platform as the Epiroc DM45 and DML blasthole drill rigs. This means it is suitable for a variety of single-pass rotary and down-the-hole (DTH) drilling applications and can achieve a clean hole depth of 11 m for single-pass applications.

The small footprint of the DM30 II makes it easy to manoeuvre on tight benches and simple to transport within the pit and over the road between pits, according to Epiroc. It also offers a low total cost of ownership, with a structure design life exceeding 45,000 hours.

The single-pass capability allows for faster hole-to-hole drilling and decreases the cost per tonne, while its design and layout grants quick and easy access to all major service points, simplifying maintenance, according to Epiroc.

The DM30 II SP is designed to handle 4-6.5 in drill pipe with a hydraulic pulldown of up to 133.4 kN and a hole diameter of 5.5-7.875 in (140-200 mm). A 36-ft (11 m) single-pass tower option increases productivity for 29-36 ft drilling conditions by eliminating the need to add a second drill steel, it said.

Customers can, meanwhile, choose a low- or high-pressure compressor to create the right configuration for their drilling operation.

Heino Hamman, Product Line Manager, Blasthole at Epiroc Drilling Solutions, said: “Built off a proven platform and with the new single-pass capability, the DM30 II SP reduces the overall cost of production per tonne and improves transportability. It offers high quality at an excellent value – and flexibility for the future.”

Outfitted with several enhancements to help keep operators safe on the job, the DM30 II SP features a FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) cab, ground-level isolation and an air-end safety shutdown system for high-temperature situations. A 300 gallon (1,136 litre) fuel tank allows the rig to continuously operate for more than 14 hours before refill, Epiroc claims.

“For increased operator comfort, the DM30 II SP features an insulated, pressurised, heated and cooled cab with tinted glass, a suspension seat, 80 dBA noise level and excellent visibility,” the company said.

“All operational functions are controlled from the driller’s console, and the ergonomic layout allows operators to instantly switch from drilling to tramming for increased productivity.”

In addition, the electric-over-hydraulic controls are common across the DM series, making operation easy for drillers with DM series experience.

“The DM 30 II SP is a simple machine scalable to automated features,” Epiroc said. The rig can be equipped with on-board technology capabilities such as the optional Epiroc Rig Control System (RCS) Lite for added safety and productivity.

Built on the RCS 5 platform that comes standard on the Pit Viper series, RCS Lite offers safety and interlock features, Epiroc says. “It also provides a convenient foundation to add more functionality and technology options in the future without a major rebuild of the machine.”

RCS Lite allows all Epiroc rotary drills to have the same onboard display and system for consistent operator training and service, the company said, adding that it had sold over 100 RCS Lite systems in 17 different countries around the world.