Tag Archives: drilling

Brunner & Lay releases new Arrow straight hole drilling tools

Explosives and blasting, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, , ,

Brunner & Lay has released a new line of rock drilling tools to the market following a rigorous in-house development and testing process from the company’s engineering and metallurgical teams.

The latest addition is a line of ‘Arrow’ straight hole drilling tools, which come in a variety of thread styles – T38, T-45, T-51 and B-60. The Brunner & Lay Tubular Drill Rod System, which these drill strings fit into, has been developed to enhance the power of the latest technologically advanced hydraulic powered top hammers and drilling rigs, operating in both surface and underground applications, the company says.

Brunner & Lay has been manufacturing tools for above and below ground mining markets in the US since the company’s founding in 1882. B&L is still owned and operated by the Brunner family with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, USA.

Sandvik intelligent underground drill fleet heading to mine in Southeast Asia

Automation, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions says it will deliver a fleet of intelligent underground drills to a mining customer in Southeast Asia.

The order includes Sandvik DD422i development drills, Sandvik DS422i rock bolters, Sandvik DL432i longhole drills and a Sandvik DL422i longhole drill.

Deliveries will begin during the September quarter of 2024 and continue through the June quarter of 2025, Sandvik added.

“This mine already operates a large fleet of Sandvik intelligent development and production drills,” Manny Maloney, Vice President Sales Area South-East Asia, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, says. “This repeat investment now underpins the strength of our underground drilling offering and our long-standing partnership.”

Some of the Sandvik DD422i development jumbos feature Sandvik’s Dual Controls package, while others include Sandvik’s Platinum automation package. The Dual Controls package for Sandvik DD422i features dual drilling controls and split feeds for multitask drilling operations including boring, bolting and meshing. The Platinum automation package offers options for automatic boom movements and boom collision avoidance.

Byrnecut rolls out first Sandvik battery-powered jumbo in South Australia

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Contract miner Byrnecut has taken the next step on its journey towards expanding its battery-electric equipment fleet with the roll-out of the Sandvik DD422iE development drill with dual controls at the BHP-owned Prominent Hill mine in South Australia.

The drill is the first battery-electric Sandvik development drill in operation in Australia.

Byrnecut took delivery of the battery electric jumbo at Prominent Hill copper mine in December 2023. The machine was put to work alongside Byrnecut’s existing fleet of diesel-powered equipment, including Sandvik development drills, production drills, cable bolters, trucks and loaders. Five months on, drill operators and Byrnecut management alike are impressed by the jumbo’s reliability and its contribution to a cleaner, quieter underground environment, Sandvik reports.

Technical Services Manager at Byrnecut, Dave Taylor, said th Sandvik DD422iE jumbo has “fitted in exactly” as a diesel-powered drill would have, working as it is designed to.

“It’s got all the pros that you would expect, just without all the fumes that come out of the diesel engine,” he added. “We always want to be at the forefront of technology and to look for ways to reduce emissions and diesel particulates – and this is one way of doing that.”

Taylor says the roll-out was simplified, as the Sandvik DD422iE charges by using the same electrical infrastructure used to power the rock drills on the diesel-powered jumbos. “The jumbos we currently have use their diesel engines to tram around but are plugged in and the rock drills run off thousand-volt power via a trailing cable,” he says. “There’s was no additional infrastructure because the DD422iE is charging using what’s already there in the diesel version.”

In a typical scenario, the Sandvik battery-electric jumbo will tram to the work site using electricity stored in its battery. While drilling is underway, the battery is recharged via the patented Sandvik Charging While Drilling technology, allowing the machine to tram away once the drilling cycle is completed.

General Manager for Byrnecut Australia, Craig Barendrecht, says the feedback he has received on the drill is positive despite some initial reservations. “It’s fitted in seamlessly and we’ve had no dramas with operating a battery drill amongst the standard diesel fleet.”

Barendrecht says with Byrnecut planning to increase their battery-electric equipment fleet, the performance of the jumbo is encouraging. “We’ve never previously seen a massive market for the battery jumbo because of the restrictions around tramming distances,” he says. “This is helping to dispel some of those preconceived concerns with how to actually fit an electric jumbo in amongst the traditional diesel fleet.

“This is just an incremental step in getting to that ultimate point where we run a full electric fleet of drills and loaders and trucks.”

Maintenance Superintendent, Mark Noden, says there was an initial learning curve around maintenance requirements for the battery electric rig. However, from an operator perspective it is simple to step from the diesel model to the electric. “I have had no complaints and the support from Sandvik is always good,” he says.

Nathan Cunningham, Business Line Manager for Underground Drills at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, says Byrnecut has consistently demonstrated that it is a forward-thinking mining business, and the purchase of the Sandvik DD422iE reinforces this. “Byrnecut’s trust in the Sandvik product has paid off with the rig operating exactly as it was expected to.”

Loop: a drilling solutions company looking to tackle emissions

Environmental, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , ,

Talisman Technical and Mitchell Services Limited have partnered up to launch Loop, a drilling solutions company looking to tackle emissions from fugitive gases and recycle waste through coal mine methane reuse.

Loop forges 50 years of surface and underground drilling specialist experience with contemporary operational expertise, the company says.

“We provide strategic decarbonisation services, emissions reduction pathways and solution prioritisation, as well as completing the end to end services by reducing emissions from fugitive gases and facilitating the recycling of waste by reusing coal mine methane,” it added. “We pride ourselves in an innovative approach to circular economy on the ground, providing experience and trusted operational solutions.”

The Loop decarbonisation rig (pictured above) and its innovative drilling methodology is the result of decades of drilling intellectual property, open-cut and underground drilling technology and mining experience to deliver a proven and safe technological solution that changes the game for operators.

Mitchell Services is a leading provider of drilling services to the global exploration, mining and energy industries. Its fleet is currently positioned in key exploration and mining centres throughout Australia. It is also the largest provider of underground gas drainage and directional drilling services in Australia.

Talisman Technical, meanwhile, focuses on providing solutions for the resources sector, including ESG, decarbonisation, safety and critical control management, reservoir engineering and mining advisory. Its approach involves understanding the challenges faced by clients and offering industry-leading solutions to support their journey towards a sustainable future.

Sandvik to supply electric rotary drills for Mongolia’s Tsagaan Suvarga project

Automation, Base metals, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, , , , , ,

Mongolyn Alt MAK LLC has selected Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions to supply five electric DR410iE rotary drill rigs for the Tsagaan Suvarga project in Mongolia.

This significant partnership underscores Sandvik’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions to enhance mining operations worldwide.

The Tsagaan Suvarga project, implemented by Mongolyn Alt MAK LLC, is a significant undertaking led by a 100% national company of great importance in the Mongolian mining industry, Sandvik says. As a result of extensive detailed exploration spanning from 2001 to 2008, a total of 1.6 million tons of copper and 66,000 tons of molybdenum reserves were determined and registered in the state reserve fund.

The Tsagaan Suvarga project, will create over 1,300 permanent jobs and 5,000-7,500 more through subcontractors. It’s estimated to contribute around $150 million annually to national and local budgets, totaling $4 billion in tax revenue for Mongolia. Furthermore, it is an important project for the country’s economy, capable of generating approximately 60% of its benefits through tax revenues, payments, and fees without reliance on government investment.

As part of this landmark project, Sandvik will deliver five electric DR410iE drills to enhance drilling operations at the Tsagaan Suvarga site. These advanced rotary drills represent the pinnacle of mining technology, designed to optimise efficiency, productivity and safety in challenging mining environments.

Daniel Kopecky, Business Line Manager – Surface Drills Sales Area South East Asia at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “We are honoured to be selected as the supplier of choice for the Tsagaan Suvarga project. Our cutting-edge rotary drills will play a crucial role in supporting Mongolyn Alt MAK LLC’s mission to unlock the full potential of the Tsagaan Suvarga deposit. We remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that empower our customers to achieve their goals safely and sustainably.”

Erdenes Tsagaan Suvarga LLC’s Mine Manager, Mungunjoloo B, said: “We are thrilled to be the first users of Sandvik’s latest DR410iE smart electric-powered rotary drill rigs. We are confident these drills will significantly enhance the efficiency of our drilling and blasting operations. Furthermore, the electric, intelligent, and remote-operation capabilities of these rigs lay the groundwork for a modern, data-driven mining operation that prioritises operator well-being, safety and productivity. This acquisition represents a major leap forward for our company, and even for the mining industry within the country.”

Deliveries of the five  are scheduled to commence in the June quarter and conclude by the December quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Tsagaan Suvarga project.

Epiroc upgrades SmartROC C50 drill rig with long feed option

Automation, Explosives and blasting, Mining equipment, , , , ,

Epiroc says its SmartROC C50 will now be available with a choice of two feeds, the standard feed or a long feed, allowing the drill rig to deliver even more metres per shift.

This rig combines high penetration rates with superior hole quality – even in the most challenging conditions, the company claims.

The long feed enables this COPROD rig to deliver even more meters per shift by increasing drilling time and reducing the time changing rods, according to Epiroc. Additionally, less rod changing reduces wear on consumables and helps lower fuel costs. This makes this machine even more cost effective.

Epiroc said: “The SmartROC C50 is one of fastest, safest and most efficient drill rigs available on the market. The well-known surface drill rig is a favoured choice for contractors and mining customers who require both raw power and precision. This is due to the COPROD technology, which offers the unique combination of precision and speed. Together with the new long feed, this rig will be beneficial to mining and quarrying operations all around the globe.”

The SmartROC C50 with a long feed can carry a 7.3 m starter rod and 6 m rods in the carousel, which increases the maximum hole depth to 37 m. There is also a significant increase in its single-pass capacity, according to Epiroc.

“We have taken this top class surface drill rig and made it even more appealing with this new long feed option,” Ulf Gyllander, Global Product Manager at Epiroc, said. “With its smart Rig Control System (RCS) and easy-to-use touch screen, we are proud to call the SmartROC C50 a class-leading rig.”

GroundHog looks to increase precision in drilling operations

Automation, Explosives and blasting, Mining services, Mining software, ,

GroundHog has launched what it says is a state-of-the-art high-precision solution that sets a new standard for precise drilling in mining operations.

By acting as an integrator, GroundHog is looking to bring together a complete solution to streamline drilling operations. The integration includes strategically positioned base stations, RTK receivers with 20 mm accuracy, and dual antennas − ensuring optimal signal coverage. The GroundHog Operator app further enhances this approach, offering mining operators a unified solution for maximum efficiency, it says.

The distinctive feature of this solution is the integration of GroundHog visualisation, tracking drill status, hole details, consumables and additional information within the operator app. This powerful combination enables precise data collection, offering operators immediate insights into drilling processes, GroundHog says. It promotes adherence to drill plans, addresses the common challenge of data quality in drill operations and transitions from traditional pen-and-paper methods to electronic data capture for improved efficiency.

Amitava Dutta, Director − Product Operations, GroundHog, said: “Conventional drilling without precision techniques poses multiple negative impacts, with drill operators spending substantial time on drill placement. Deviations in drill holes lead to improper burden, spacing, angle and depth of drill holes which, in turn, lead to safety and productivity issues. High-precision drilling minimises these impacts, ensuring better adherence to plans and enhancing overall operational efficiency.”

The standout benefit of High Precision technology lies in its ability to get accurate equipment navigation and control even in challenging terrains or complex orebodies. Highly accurate position information allows to guide the equipment, laying the groundwork for autonomy eventually, GroundHog explained.

Data quality issues pose significant challenges in QA/QC in drill and blast operations. Any deviation from the designed parameters can impact final blasting results, affecting successive processes such as loading, hauling and crushing. Precise drilling reduces these chances of deviation, enabling improved drill productivity, optimal blast fragment size, reduced toe generation, improved excavator and truck productivity, precise sampling, and enhanced quality control of ore and crusher productivity.

Ausdrill boosts drilling remit at Sino Iron project

Mine operation news, Mineral exploration, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , ,

Ausdrill, part of Perenti, has confirmed it will move new drill rigs to CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron project in the Pilbara of Western Australia as part of an expansion program.

Sino Iron is the largest magnetite mining and processing operation in Australia, 100 km southwest of Karratha. It uses traditional open-pit mining techniques to excavate the ore ahead of an on-site beneficiation process to produce a high grade, premium magnetite concentrate for export from purpose-built facilities at Cape Preston.

Ausdrill says it is currently mobilising one reverse circulation rig and two diamond drill rigs to the project.

“Our experienced team is ready to assist in the large-scale expansion program with an emphasis on ensuring the safe delivery of high-quality samples and maximising recovery within the specified timeline,” it said.

Centamin-Sukari

Capital in line for another five years of drilling at Centamin’s Sukari

Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , ,

Capital has been awarded a letter of intent related to a five-year extension to its open-pit drilling services contract at Centamin’s Sukari gold mine in Egypt, with the contractor potentially extending its work there through to the end of 2029.

Subject to conclusion of the definitive drilling services agreement, which will include both blasthole and grade control drilling, the contract will mean Capital has been on site for 25 years when concluding its services. The contract would begin on January 1, 2025.

Back in 2020, Capital entered a conditional open-pit waste mining services contract with Sukari Gold Mines and expanded and extended its existing drilling contract with Sukari, effective January 1, 2021. Collectively, these contracts were anticipated to deliver incremental revenues of $235-260 million over a four-year period, representing the largest award of new business in the company’s history.

In the company’s Q4 2023 trading update released today, Capital noted that the Sukari gold mine waste mining contract saw consistent operations through the three-month period.

SandvikLH621i

Sandvik loaders, development drills and bolter heading to Byrnecut at Kathleen Valley

Automation, Energy minerals, Equipment maintenance, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mining contractor Byrnecut has chosen Sandvik to supply automated loaders, underground drills and rock tools as it gears up to deliver underground mining services at the Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia.

Sandvik will supply Byrnecut with seven 21-t-payload Toro™ LH621i loaders with AutoMine®, three Sandvik DD422i development drills with Dual Controls and a Sandvik DS422i cable bolter. The equipment order was primarily booked in the September quarter.

Sandvik will also supply Byrnecut with rock tools for the operation over four years.

The deal follows Liontown Resources awarding Byrnecut with the circa-A$1 billion ($656 million) contract for development and production at the mine in August 2023.

The Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia’s northern Goldfields region is one of the most significant new long-life lithium projects anywhere in the world, owner Liontown Resources says, with a mineral resource estimate of 156 Mt at 1.4% Li2O and 130 ppm Ta2O5. The operations have been optimised for an initial 3 Mt/y, producing approximately 500,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate with a 4 Mt/y expansion planned in Year 6, to deliver approximately 700,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate.

Byrnecut is investing A$125 million in new equipment for the project, with mobilisation having already commenced and first production is targeted for mid-2024.

Wayne Scrivens, Vice President, Sales Area Australia and New Zealand, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “Byrnecut and Sandvik have a long history of collaboration on projects across the country and we’re delighted that Byrnecut is once again investing significantly in Sandvik equipment and rock tools for this major project. This deal highlights the growing understanding across the Australian mining sector that Sandvik’s advanced solutions help mines run safer, more efficiently and more sustainably.”

Sandvik’s Toro LH621i underground loaders (one pictured above) are engineered for rapid mine development and large-scale underground production, according to the OEM. Smart boom geometry optimises hydraulic power for fast bucket filling and the handling of large rocks.

Under AutoMine Multi-Lite an operator can remotely control and simultaneously supervise multiple Toro LH621i loaders from a comfortable environment, reducing exposure to dust, noise, vibrations and other mine hazards. This creates a safer work environment for both the operator and mine personnel, Sandvik says.

When used in combination with Sandvik’s Dual Controls package, Sandvik DD422i face drills can be used for a wide variety of underground applications, including boring, bolting and meshing. The package improves drill optimisation, versatility and performance and was designed to address needs identified by mining contractors.

Sandvik will also provide Byrnecut premium rock tools as well as a range of added services and digital solutions to support its drilling operations. The deal will also include carbide recycling, with Sandvik’s Carbide Recycling Program helping both the OEM and the wider industry to meet circularity goals and ensure raw materials are used efficiently and sustainably.