Tag Archives: Sami Anttila

Sandvik recognises OEM ‘first’ with AutoMine for Underground Drills introduction

Automation, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is introducing AutoMine® for Underground Drills, a cutting-edge tele-remote solution that, it says, enables operators to remotely and simultaneously control and supervise multiple automated Sandvik underground drills, increasing efficiency, safety and overall productivity in mining operations.

With AutoMine for Underground Drills, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has become the first OEM to introduce a unified traffic management system for drills, loaders and trucks, according to the company.

Jouni Koppanen, Product Line Manager, Underground Automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “Sandvik’s holistic approach to integrate drills, loaders and trucks into the AutoMine system will set a new standard for underground mining efficiency. AutoMine for Underground Drills is another milestone in our commitment to revolutionising out customers’ mining operations. This tele-remote system redefines underground drilling autonomy and safety standards.”

The new offering is available for Sandvik longhole drills (DL) series machines, offering three levels of teleremote operations: single drill, drill fleet and machine fleet. Operators have the flexibility to choose between operating from an AutoMine chair or console station, depending on which offering level best suits their operational requirements.

The AutoMine for Underground Drills teleremote system includes advanced tramming capabilities, allowing seamless control and coordination of drills, loaders and trucks operating in the same area with sophisticated traffic management, the company added.

Prioritising safety, AutoMine incorporates an enhanced Access Protector System. This safety feature is designed to prevent personnel from entering the machine area while the system is operating in automation mode or remote mode. In addition, it also has an advanced traffic management system that enables operators to easily control the traffic flow of multi-machine operations and handle complex operating situations, resulting in greater flexibility and mining output.

Sami Anttila, Product Manager, Longhole Production Drilling at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “We have developed this system to offer our customers a deeper integration and cooperation in between the underground drills, the loading and hauling machines and especially the AutoMine environment. This means added value through improvements in machine and fleet flexible utilisation in remote operation.”

Sandvik’s history of providing proven underground solutions with automation for loading and hauling dates back to 2004. Today, more than 1,000 underground and surface units operate worldwide at more than 100 customer sites, underlining Sandvik’s commitment to delivering reliable and innovative AutoMine solutions for mining.

Sandvik introduces Sandvik DL422i top hammer longhole drill rig

Automation, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, , , , , , , , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has introduced its newest i-series top hammer longhole drill rig, the .

Following the launch of the Sandvik DL422iE battery-electric drill in 2021, Sandvik has now introduced its diesel counterpart, designed for underground mass mining in 4 x 4 m or larger production drifts.

The Sandvik DL422i offers the same productivity, reliability and high utilisation of its battery-electric counterpart for operations with challenging site conditions that are not optimised for a battery-electric fleet, the company explained.

“The new DL422i expands our i-series longhole production drill offering with traditional diesel engine layout, and starts to take over the work load of its famous predecessor, Sandvik DL421,” Sami Anttila, Product Line Manager, Longhole Production Drilling, said.

The Sandvik DL422i prioritises automated operations, fleet connectivity, availability of data and improved hole accuracy, supported by Sandvik’s technical support and operator training for an improved user experience, the OEM says. Automated operations over shift changes allows up to 20% increased productivity and up to 10% more drilled meters in a shift.

The longhole production drill is a highly intelligent and automated drill in Sandvik’s i-series underground drilling offering, with options for both automation and tele-remote operation.

It is compatible with Sandvik’s Platinum level automation package, which includes one-hole and fan automation, automatic boom repositioning to the next hole, automatic stinger control, drill plan and as-drilled data management (WLAN), plus connectivity to My Sandvik remote monitoring and Sandvik DrillConnect mobile application. Later in 2022, the Sandvik DL422i will also be compatible with Sandvik’s tele-remote drilling and tramming offering, expanding remote control from single to multiple units from a single console.

In operations with low, or no, mine network connectivity, the Sandvik DrillConnect mobile application can be used for easy and smooth drill plan transfer, comprehensive data collection, and intelligent troubleshooting, according to the company.

The Sandvik DL422i is billed as providing maximum productivity and safety, having been developed with the future of mining in mind. The control system platform allows for new technology implementation during the product lifetime, while tele-remote and automated drilling allows for unmanned operation through shift changes and breaks, increasing fleet use.

The powerful HF1560ST rock drill offers improved energy transfer and stability with high penetration rates and drilling capacity, Sandvik added.

Sandvik’s new i-class cabin provides the safest and most comfortable working environment with improved visibility in operation, reduced sound pressure level during drilling, adjustable drilling control panel, and multi-purpose seat with back and head support, Sandvik says. Swing out frames, meanwhile, provide easy, safe and fast access to the main components from the ground level.