Tag Archives: Robit

Robit wins ‘groundbreaking’ DTH drilling contract at Shougang Hierro Perú

Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Shougang Hierro Perú has recently added Robit drilling consumables to its drilling arsenal, following a string of tests comparing down-the-hole (DTH) tools, the Finland-based company says.

A large share of the drilling and earthmoving operations at Shougang Hierro Perú is conducted by Cosapi Mineria, a subsidiary of Cosapi S.A., one of Peru’s biggest construction and engineering companies and the company that Robit had to impress.

An open-pit operation typically makes extensive use of DTH tools for pre-split and buffer drilling. That’s why Shougang Hierro Perú, an iron ore miner, was an attractive target for Robit SAC to approach with its offering.

José Luis Cisneros, General Manager of Robit SAC, said: “The iron deposit at Shougang Hierro Perú consists of very hard and abrasive materials. You can find competent soils with compressive strengths of 250 to 300 MPa. We contacted Cosapi Mineria and carried out the first test in early 2020 with 7-in (178 mm) bits and a D65 hammer. Since then, we have been working ever more closely with Cosapi, providing them with material innovations to increase performance.”

He added: “In recent months we have been working together with Cosapi in a testing process of the main DTH providers in the market. Thanks to the constant monitoring by our Assistance Engineer, Kevin Salas, and the development of the right products through our DTH Sales Manager, Martín Rodríguez, we have been able to generate new ways of improving the operation and proposing drilling targets with higher standards.”

The open pit operation requires a lot of double bench pre-splitting, performed with D45 HD hammers and 5-in bits, ballistic buttons and a convex face. The bits have obtained an average duration of 1,400 m, and an average speed of 32 m/h.

Recently, Cosapi signed an extension contract for its operations in two of the open pits at Shougang Hierro Perú. Impressed by the tests conducted with Robit, it granted a consignment agreement, trusting Robit with 60% of the consumption of drilling tools over the competition, Robit says.

Cisneros said: “This is the first contract of consumption for DTH tools in Latin America where we will provide assistance and stock for the client’s operation, including technical service, maintenance of hammers and management of drill bits. We hope to show Cosapi Mineria and the market that Robit SAC has the necessary resources to keep exceeding the expectations of our strategic partners.”

Robit, Veljekset Toivanen agree on drilling consumables pact for Sotkamo Silver mine

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , ,

Robit Plc and Veljekset Toivanen Oy say they have signed a long-term cooperation agreement of supplying drilling consumables to the Sotkamo Silver mine in Kainuu, Finland.

The deliveries of Robit drilling consumables start along with the first mining project in January 2023. Veljekset Toivanen works as the prime contractor at Sotkamo Silver, and has a three-year-agreement in place with a two-year extension option. Robit also supplies its consumables to Endomines’ Pampalo gold mine for the opening of the Ilomantsi open-pit mine.

Arto Halonen (pictured left), Group CEO, Robit, said: “We are extremely pleased to start building a long-term cooperation with Veljekset Toivanen. This agreement strengthens Robit’s position as the leading drilling consumables supplier in Finland.”

Ari Keskitalo (pictured right), Mining Manager, Veljekset Toivanen, added: “Our previous cooperation with Robit run smoothly. Thus, the new agreement of drilling consumables supply to Sotkamo Silver mine creates a natural continuum. In addition, one of our company’s values is locality, so Robit as a domestic actor was an easy choice.”

Robit’s ‘built to last’ philosophy on show with newest products

Environmental, Explosives and blasting, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

Robit has launched two new products that, it says, have been designed to deal with the harshest mining conditions.

Its tubeless range of high-performance down-the-hole (DTH) hammers and the Robit Extreme Carbide are made for environments where wear and tear are a constant factor, the company says.

The new range of tubeless DTH WH TL hammers has been designed to eliminate the risk of foot valve breakages and the resulting operational downtime, according to Robit. Not only has the foot valve been removed to enhance reliability, but the design of the hammers has been further revamped to bring maximal usability in a minimal footprint, making them ideal for both blasthole and energy well drilling applications, Robit said.

The integrated choke system allows for airflow adjustments to suit the compressor and improve flushing, Robit says. The hammers’ inner liner allows optimal airflow and provides improved performance in wet conditions. The piston, itself, has been redesigned for improved strength and optimal performance. The hammers are suitable for ground conditions with high volumes of water or in soft unconsolidated ground, according to the company.

The Dual Property Extreme Carbide, meanwhile, is built to last.

Customer trials conducted in North America showed bit life improvements of over 50% when drilling in highly abrasive ground conditions, making it the ideal choice for blasthole and well drilling applications, Robit claims.

The Dual Property Extreme Carbide has a wear-resistant outer layer that uses the Robit Extreme grade #4 carbide. This is specifically formulated for highly abrasive ground conditions, staying sharper for longer while increasing productivity and reducing the number of necessary regrind processes. Furthermore, the Robit Extreme Carbide has been developed to reduce the overall CO2 impact of drilling and to improve the sustainability of Robit products, the company says.

Under the outer layer of wear-resistant Robit Extreme Carbide, the inner core is made of standard grade #1 carbide. This makes it strong and durable against fracturing, all the while guaranteeing the DTH bit performs at the same high level as Robit standard quality carbides are renowned for once the outer layer has eventually worn away. And for customers that do not re-grind drill bits, preferring to “drill-to-destruction” or “run-to-life”, the Robit Extreme carbide has shown to be even more advantageous, Robit says.

The recently-released Robit Rbit button bit series is also showcasing the company’s sustainability credentials. Made of 100% recyclable steel and finalised with eco-friendly water-based paint, the Rbit is designed to achieve the fastest rates of penetration and lowest cost-per-metre drilling in the company’s range.

All these products will be presented at the company’s MINExpo 2021 booth in Las Vegas, September 13-15.

Robit to supply drilling consumables to Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä gold mine

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , ,

Robit and Agnico Eagle have signed a long-term cooperation agreement for drilling consumables supply to the Kittilä gold mine, in Finland, with the deliveries to start on May 1, 2021.

The company previously supplied diamond button bits to Kittilä mine for production drilling, thus, the mine and conditions are familiar to Robit, it said.

Tommi Lehtonen, CEO of Robit Group, said: ”We are happy to start this cooperation, which is a result of a long-time work and is an important reference to the company. It is also an investment in the domestic market. We are excited of this collaboration, which, in addition to product supply, offers an opportunity to develop our products together with one of the leading mining companies.”

Jari Kolehmainen, Production Manager at Kittilä mine, Agnico Eagle Finland Oy, added: “We are delighted with this agreement and expect a long-term and close collaboration. Together we have an opportunity to develop drilling consumables, eg diamond button bits and Sense Systems products, to serve customer needs even better.”

Kittilä mine is the largest gold mine in Europe. It extracts annually about 1.6 Mt of ore, yielding about 7,000 kg of gold. At current production volumes, the mine’s known ore reserves are expected to produce gold until 2034.

Robit incorporates sustainability and productivity into new drill bit design

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Robit says it has taken up the challenge of making its drill bits even better, introducing a new button bit series manufactured with recycled steel.

The new Robit Superior Rbit™ Button Bit Series achieve faster rates of penetration and the lowest cost-per-metre, according to the company.

In line with Robit’s sustainable manufacturing process, the Rbit is manufactured on fully automated production lines and finished with “eco-friendly” water-based paint, the company says.

The Rbit features:

  • An optimised button layout configuration on the Flat Face model to ensure maximum rock contact and energy transmission;
  • A new transition face developed in both the Flat Face and Drop Center models to improve the transfer of percussive energy into the rock;
  • Enhanced flushing design now available in the Flat Face and Drop Center models, delivering an even faster rate of penetration.
  • Redesigned wider retrac grooves to allow more space, delivering a better flow for the cuttings; and
  • Heavy duty models available in both the Flat Face and Drop Center models.
The Flat Face (left) and Drop Center (right) versions

“All of our new high quality Rbit drill bits have been designed with state-of-the-art computer fluid dynamics simulation,” the company says. “Moreover, field tests globally have demonstrated clear evidence of a superior drilling performance which our technical simulation had already guaranteed.”

Robit says its partner drillers were happy with the performance and noted better flushing and longer grinding intervals with the new Rbit drill bits.

“Robit products are developed in the challenging rock conditions of Scandinavia and have a proven record globally,” the company says. “With Robit’s new Rbit, we have found yet another way to deliver excellence to our customers worldwide.”

Robit top hammer and DTH consumables to go to Uzbekistan’s NMMC

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mining consumables, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

Robit says it has signed a contract with its partner to supply drilling consumables to several mine sites in Uzbekistan, including those operated by state-owned Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combinat (NMMC).

The Robit Top Hammer and Down the Hole drilling consumables will be delivered during 2020 in several shipments, according to the company. The news follows a recent contract award to supply drilling tools to Norilsk Nickel, in Norilsk, Russia.

The consumables will be used among others by NMMC in its underground and surface mines in the Navoi and Samarkand regions of Uzbekistan.

NMMC’s underground operations include Zarmitan, Gujumsay as well as Karakutan. Its notable open-pit mines include Muruntau (one of the largest open pit gold mines in the world, pictured), Uchkuduk and Amantai. It is a significant gold and uranium miner in Uzbekistan.

Robit drilling consumables in transit to Norilsk Nickel

Base metals, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , , ,

Robit says it has signed a contract to supply drilling tools to Norilsk Nickel, in Norilsk, Russia, with the deliveries expected to take place during April and May.

Norilsk is in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, and located above the Arctic Circle. Since there are no roadway or railway connections, all freight is delivered by cargo ship via the Arctic Ocean to the Port of Dudinka, in Murmansk, or by air. The Robit drilling consumables are to be delivered by sea, Robit said.

Norilsk Nickel is one of Russia’s leading metals and mining company, a manufacturer of palladium and refined nickel, and one of the biggest platinum and copper producers in the world. The company also produces cobalt, rhodium, silver, gold, iridium, ruthenium, selenium, tellurium, and sulphur.

Robit, meanwhile, provides drilling consumables for applications in mining, construction and contracting, tunnelling, and well drilling. It has two product and service ranges: top hammer and down-the-hole.

Last month, the company signed a two-year contract to supply drilling tools to Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co, in Saudi Arabia, for underground jumbo rigs at its Al Masane copper-zinc mine. The tools are to be supplied by Robit’s distributor, Bin Harkhil.

In February, Robit delivered its first consignment of rods for underground drilling to Ma’aden’s Al Amar underground gold-copper-zinc mine, in Saudi Arabia.

Robit diamond button bits to go stronger for longer in top hammer drilling

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , ,

Robit is launching diamond button bits for top hammer drilling applications as it looks to increase the life and reduce the maintenance associated with these consumables.

The company plans to commence mass production and deliveries by the end of the year, but it has already signed up its first mining customer.

Traditionally, drill bits for top hammer drilling have been made of hard metal, but, while they may often prove effective when it comes to penetration in the initial stages, these bits can be worn down easily depending on the application.

The Robit Diamond Button Series bits have an industrial diamond coating that lasts many times longer than a regular bit and does not need to be sharpened, according to Robit’s R&D Engineer and Materials Specialist, Niko Ojala.

The diamond coating is applied to the buttons in much the same way as diamonds are created; namely by subjecting it to high pressure and heat, which makes it even more durable than natural diamonds.

Ojala said: “The coating has several layers, which ensures adherence and enables the diamond bit to withstand the shocks and heat fluctuations of top hammer drilling. Robit Group has previously used the diamond coating with success in oil and gas operations in softer substrates. Now the durability of diamond is offered for the first time for shock drilling in hard rock.”

Robit has been developing these buttons for five years, and field tests have been conducted extensively “with ever-improving results and great success”, Robit Sales Manager, Kimmo Kangas, said.

“Mass production and deliveries will begin during the latter part of the year; initially 89 mm and 102 mm diamond bits will be offered,” Kangas said, adding that Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä gold mine, in Finland, is to start using the Robit Diamond Button series later this year.

Agnico Eagle Kittilä Production Manager, Jari Kolehmainen and General Supervisor, Janne Saukko, remarked: “Test cooperation with Robit in these new innovative products has been productive. The goal is to use diamond bits to make remote drilling more efficient in terms of use of resources and productivity than drilling using regular bits.”

In test cases, the new diamond bits have yielded outstanding results, according to Ojala: “When drilling hard granite you may have to sharpen – ie change – a traditional hard metal button bit, for example, after 80 m, while with the diamond button bit you can drill nearly one kilometre.

“And, as the diamond buttons do not, in practice, wear out, then their penetrating ability does not deteriorate like regular hard metal buttons. Drilling speed, therefore, remains the same throughout the bit’s time of use. Similarly, the diameter of the borehole does not decrease as the bit ages, resulting in a more consistent and predictable end result in production drilling.”

He concluded: “The many times longer change interval of the bit saves time and is particularly important for remote-controlled drill rigs in fully automated mining environments where people are not present during the process.”

Mining3, Robit and CSIRO team up to tackle drillhole deviation

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Mining3, in partnership with global drilling tools specialist Robit and CSIRO, has taken up the challenge to develop an underground percussive drillhole deviation measurement tool.

The new system, dubbed as U-sense, is an upgrade of Robit’s S-sense technology (pictured) licensed from Mining3’s Automated String Positioning System. The S-sense system measures the straightness of surface production holes bored by a percussive drilling process and is commercially available for purchase by Robit. U-sense will extend the technology to longhole underground percussive drilling with water flushing.

As Mining 3 Technology Leader Dr Sevda Dekhoda says: “Drilling is one of the critical elements in the process of rock breakage. The location (including length and orientation), explosives charge, and detonation sequence of blastholes are strategically selected to produce the most efficient and optimal rock fragmentation.

“The consequences of deviation in drillhole trajectories from the designed pattern include build-ups, hang-ups and poor rock fragmentation, and will normally lead to extra drilling, loss of drill strings, ore dilution, ore loss, increased explosive consumption, time wastage, and delays in the chain of production operations. Hence, the impact of blasthole deviations can be felt throughout the production cycle, excavating, hauling, and mineral processing.”

This is where U-sense, which is an easy to use capsule that sits within an adapter between the percussive drill bit and drilling tube, comes in handy. It measures the trajectories of the drilled borehole as the bit is retrieved from the hole, then communicates the information with a receiver system mounted on the drilling mast.

The measurement module is on standby during the percussive drilling process and commences measurement once the drilling is complete.

As the unit is pulled out of the hole, the sensors record inertial information for processing with onboard proprietary algorithms. Once the tool is completely out of the hole, the data are transferred wirelessly for presentation on a cockpit tablet. The plot of actual borehole trajectory information – with respect to the planned orientation – allows the decisionmakers to drill a remedy blast hole or revise the blast design.

“Early access to drillhole trajectory information can have a huge impact on reducing mining costs of freezing stopes, creating large oversize, and under-break or over-break caused by blasthole deviation,” Dekhoda said.

“In addition, data from the testing unit will be used to develop decision support systems for determining the best way for a production team to modify the pattern if excessive deviation is detected. The availability of hole deviation data – on every blasthole – will enable further research into optimisation of blast designs for different rock mass conditions.”

The project Mining3, Robit and CSIRO are working on has two main phases to develop:

  1. A validated pre-commercial test unit;
  2. Next generation upgrade and testing of the unit through various case studies.

Mining3 expects the unit will be available for priority clients (sponsors) in 12 months and can be purchased through Robit.