Tag Archives: Nathan Cunningham

Australia’s first fully-automated, battery-electric Sandvik DL422iE drill goes to work at IGO Nova

Automation, Base metals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Precious metals, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

IGO and Barminco have put Sandvik’s DL422iE longhole drill to work at the Nova operation in Western Australia, becoming the first mine in Australia to roll out the fully-automated, battery-electric rig.

The nickel-copper-cobalt mine, in the Fraser Range, is owned by IGO and operated by Barminco. Both companies have been trailblazers in terms of trialling electrified mining technologies and, like Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, they are a part of the Electric Mine Consortium.

Barminco purchased the Sandvik DL422iE, which was commissioned and put to work in July.

Darren Kwok, Head of Mining Electrification and Technology at Barminco, said: “Accelerating decarbonisation is one of our sustainability priorities and there are clear benefits to using battery-electric vehicles in the underground environment. Reducing or eliminating diesel emissions improves working conditions for our people and also has the potential to improve efficiency and profitability. We’re very excited to see the benefits that this new Sandvik rig can provide.”

Chris Carr, Head of Technical Services and Acting General Manager Nova at IGO, added: “At IGO, we believe in a clean energy future, and that extends to our underground mining operations where the electrification of our fleets will create a safer, greener and more productive operation. The arrival of the new Sandvik drill is an important step towards our commitment to be net zero across our direct operations and projects by 2035, if not sooner.”

The Sandvik DL422iE is a fully-automated, battery-powered top hammer longhole drill designed for underground mass mining in 4 x 4 m or larger production drifts, Sandvik says. It can drill vertical and inclined fans and single or parallel Ø89-127 mm longholes up to 54 m in depth using ST58 and ST68 tube rods.

The drill’s electric driveline includes a battery package and electric motor to allow for zero emissions while tramming and also reduced thermal load. The DL422iE also features Sandvik’s patented Charging While Drilling technology; an innovation for reduced battery charging time without the need for additional infrastructure.

Nathan Cunningham, Business Line Manager at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “We’re seeing considerable customer interest in Sandvik battery-electric vehicle solutions that help remove diesel from underground mines. If a miner is able to achieve a fully-electric underground operation there can a be a flow-on effect for the ventilation capacity calculations. For new mines, in particular, this can reduce bring a double benefit – better worker health and a reduction in the work required to meet ventilation requirements.”

The DL422iE is part of the Sandvik 400iE series of drill rigs that, together, provide a battery-electric solution to just about every underground challenge.

“Other members of the family include the Sandvik DD422iE mining and tunnelling jumbo and the Sandvik DS412iE rock bolter,” Cunningham says. “The DD422iE was launched in 2016 and has since logged more than 4 million metres of drilled holes and over 18,000 kilometres of tramming with zero emissions. Meanwhile, the DS412iE rock bolter was launched in 2021 and is rapidly transforming mines across the world.”

Kwok added: “Electrification/decarbonisation is a key priority for Barminco and one of the most important trends in the sector at the moment, alongside automation. For this reason, we’re delighted to have Sandvik as a technology partner who is providing industry-leading solutions to the challenges we face.”

Fully owned by IGO, the Nova Operation uses long hole and sub-level open stoping with paste backfill. In thr 2022 financial year, it achieved total production of 26,675 t of nickel, 11,483 t of copper, and 982 t of cobalt.

Sandvik starts construction of new purpose-built workshop in Western Australia

Automation, Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology says it has signalled its ongoing commitment to the Australia mining and construction equipment market, signing a long-term lease for a new purpose-built workshop in Perth, Western Australia.

Construction is underway with the workshop scheduled for completion in 2021.

Located at Roe Highway Logistics Park (Kenwick, Perth), the 16,000 sq.m site will include a state-of-the-art workshop, modern office, meeting facilities, as well as testing and training equipment, Sandvik said.

According to Nathan Cunningham, Sandvik Business Line Manager – Service in APAC, Roe Highway represents a strategically important location to be able to better support Sandvik’s Australia customers.

“The strategic location of our new workshop, with its central position, freight rail and RAV7 truck access will enable us to further support our Western Australian customers and the purpose-build design will improve equipment repairs, inspections and our rebuild capability for our equipment offering,” he said. “The improved layout, increased size, additional bays and design will enable our fully-trained service technicians, aftermarket support and technology specialists the ability to work more efficiently.”

He added: “To continue to support our customers, we need to continue to invest in facilities that will not only support our existing markets, but will also have the capacity and capability to support the growing demand for future products, such as our electric load and haul offering.”

The new workshop will be fully accredited and work to OEM standards, according to the company, allowing Sandvik to provide full warranties on the machines it strips down and rebuilds.

Kate Bills, Sustainability, Marketing & Communications Manager at Sandvik in APAC, says the purpose-built facility has been designed to align with Sandvik’s 2030 Sustainable Business goals, which address a circular society, climate change, safety and fair play.

“At Sandvik, we want to ensure that sustainability is integrated into everything we do,” she said. “This includes reducing our CO2 footprint, minimising waste in our production process and providing the highest safety standards for our employees.

“As part of Sandvik’s sustainability goals, we’re aiming to halve our C02 footprint by 2030, so the new workshop incorporates state-of-the-art design elements to help us achieve this such as solar panels, green concrete and the use of low carbon building materials.”

The site will also include best-practice water management, energy efficient lighting, natural ventilation and rainwater harvesting, according to the company.