Tag Archives: Sandvik

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.”

MacLean and Sandvik making headway on automation zone interoperability

Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining safety, Mining services, , , ,

Sandvik and MacLean have completed the first phase of a collaboration to provide mining companies with more options for expanding automation in the underground environment, they say.

MacLean and Sandvik are working together to improve automation zone interoperability of production and support fleets, with the installation of the Sandvik AutoMine® system at the MacLean Research & Training Facility and the demonstration of a surface-controlled MacLean utility vehicle, a BT5 Boom Truck, activating multiple AutoMine automation zones delimited with light curtain safety gates.

With this phase now complete, the first key steps in the companies’ interoperability collaboration have been successfully achieved: automation communications infrastructure installation and the testing of a piece of non-Sandvik mining equipment activating the safety gate system.

In a separate press release, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions referred to its part of this solution as AutoMine Interoperable Access Control System (ACS), a new feature for its AutoMine Core underground system for autonomous mining operations. Designed to improve productivity and increase operational flexibility, this new capability builds on the proven AutoMine Flexible Safety Zone by enabling non-Sandvik, third-party autonomous equipment to operate seamlessly in AutoMine access-controlled isolated zones, it said.

The solution enables a mixed fleet of underground loaders, trucks, drills and auxiliary equipment to be managed with one seamless safety system, as long as third-party equipment designs conform to the functional safety requirements specified for AutoMine operations. Non-Sandvik equipment can be retrofitted with an AutoMine ACS Onboard Box to provide the needed interface between ACS and the machine’s safety circuit, according to the OEM.

AutoMine Interoperable ACS, Sandvik says, increases the flexibility between Sandvik automated equipment and third-party equipment by allowing access to a shared automated zone at different times. Each machine can be independently controlled by its own system while operating within the unified AutoMine Interoperable ACS system. This leverages optimised control of each OEM’s machine while maintaining a safer working environment.

Patrice Corneau, MacLean Director of Advanced Vehicles and Technology, said: “If we want to advance the mine of the future where an increasing amount and complexity of automation is available as an option for mining customers around the globe, we need to work differently. Realising that broader, longer-term goal will require collaboration between original equipment manufacturers in the industry, who historically have perceived each other primarily as competitors as opposed to mining technology development co-practitioners.

“This collaboration between MacLean and Sandvik embodies that new way of thinking about the mine of the future and how mining equipment manufacturers can help successfully deliver it to mining companies.”

Robert McEwan, Product Line Manager, Automation, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “While we are confident that customers will achieve optimal performance with Sandvik equipment, we understand the importance of maximising automation’s potential across all equipment, regardless of manufacturer. This technology enables mixed-fleet customers to benefit from enhanced safety and improved productivity with the support of AutoMine.”

DMC Mining acquires Sandvik DD422i development jumbo for Victoria project

Automation, Base metals, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , ,

DMC Mining Services has introduced a Sandvik DD422i development jumbo with dual controls to its flagship Victoria project in Ontario, Canada, it has confirmed.

Michal Marcin Jezioro, Managing Director and CEO of DMC, said: “We are thrilled to introduce this new jumbo to our clients. This product represents a significant advancement in the mining industry, and we are honoured to be one of the first contractors in the region to offer its services.

“Our team will be working closely with Sandvik to aid in the research and development of the drill, with the intention of further optimising the installation of a variety of ground support means.”

DMC has been contracted to engineer, design, procure, fabricate, complete and commission the works associated with the execution of the Advanced Exploration Phase of the Victoria project. “That entails the early works construction, sinking of the exploration shaft, lateral development, definition drilling and bulk sample collection,” Jezioro told IM last year.

The cutting diameter of the exploration shaft is 7.3 m, with the finished diameter of the fullylined shaft being 6.7 m.

The Victoria project is based on the construction of an underground copper and nickel mine. Based on analytical work carried out in 2017, the baseline scenario assumes two phases of development of the Victoria project,
including the sinking of the first shaft, with additional exploration work and, later, the sinking of the production shaft.

DMC has implemented a phased construction approach at the project that enables it to execute shaft activities while preparing for the subsequent phases of exploration, ramp up and mine production.

DMC said: “As a leader in the mining industry, we continually strive to improve our operations, enhance our productivity and ensure safe operations. This addition is expected to do just that.”

Key features of the Sandvik DD422i highlighted by DMC include:

  • Dual feed designed to support multiple applications of drilling activities;
  • Increased safety by removing the operator from working near unsupported ground at the face;
  • Reduction in overall cycle times resulting in productivity gains; and
  • Use of one single piece of equipment allowing for standardised spares and a single OEM.

Sandvik introduces AutoMine Lifecycle Support Solutions to maximise automation benefits

Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has introduced AutoMine® Lifecycle Support Solutions, a scalable service designed to, the company says, ensure comprehensive aftermarket technology support for existing and new AutoMine customers, improving uptime and providing continuous process optimisation.

AutoMine Lifecycle Support Solutions is backed by Sandvik’s global network of service centres, offering flexible, scalable and customised solutions tailored to meet a customer’s unique automation needs, Sandvik says. The scalable solution accelerates return on automation investment, reduces automated production process downtime, improves productivity and develops operator competence while providing lifecycle support for business-critical automation processes.

The aftermarket service solution offers a variety of support options, centred on the three pillars of successful technology implementation: automation, competence and operations. It also includes access to a 24/7 service ticketing portal, with standardised service level KPI metrics. Available in a range of cost-effective packages, the solution features on-site or remote expert support services, competence development, software release deployment, annual automation performance reviews and digital mining excellence advisory services – enabling customers to optimise their use of AutoMine by improving skills and processes.

“We have developed this service to support customers in maximising the benefits of their automation investments and to provide them with an improved aftermarket support experience for automation technology,” Niel McCoy, Director Global Aftermarket Automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said. “That means added value through improvements in productivity and use of AutoMine capabilities through training, online troubleshooting resources and global support network. This solution also provides customers with the tools to plan ahead for their AutoMine spare parts, helping them prevent downtime and get production up and running as quickly as possible.”

Bolting operations with Sandvik DD422iE battery-electric rig commence at McIlvenna Bay

Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

The underground mining team at the McIlvenna Bay project in Saskatchewan, Canada, has reached a major milestone by installing the first resin anchored rebar bolts with the Sandvik DD422iE rig, the OEM reports.

This battery-powered machine – which carries out tramming on battery and plugs into the mine grid for face operations – is a multi-purpose jumbo that allows miners to bolt and bore with a single machine. This results in a significantly reduced overall cycle time that supports rapid development, Sandvik says.

Back in 2022, Sandvik announced it would supply a fleet of 20 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), including trucks, loaders and drills, for the project in what was its biggest battery-electric vehicle order to date.

Among this 20-strong fleet was seven Sandvik 18-t-payload LH518B loaders, six Sandvik 50-t-payload TH550B trucks, four Sandvik DD422iE jumbo drill rigs, two Sandvik DL422iE longhole drills and one Sandvik DS412iE mechanical bolter.

The owner of the mine, Foran Mining, is putting these machines to work alongside help from contractor Procon Mining and Tunnelling.

Sandvik and Glencore to explore second life for BEV batteries with energy storage system pilot

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

In another move towards further electrifying mining operations, Sandvik has initiated a pilot project to deploy a second-life battery energy storage system (BESS) at to-be-determined Glencore assets.

The BESS is expected to support mine services such as lighting and light EV charging at the Glencore operations. Sandvik will study additional use cases during the pilot, including power shifting, peak shaving and arbitrage, it says.

Sandvik’s technology partner in the project is ECO STOR AS, a second-life energy storage system provider. ECO STOR will use its BESS expertise to develop the solution with modules recovered from Sandvik BEVs that have reached their optimal use in mobile mining applications.

“The modularity of our battery packs provides a strong foundation to build energy storage systems from second-life modules and create a valuable use for ‘used’ batteries,” said Ville Laine, Vice President, Batteries and Chargers at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.

The BESS will be constructed as an industrial 20-foot (6.1-m) container holding 128 Sandvik battery modules. The nominal energy of the system is expected to be around 1 MWH. The container includes Sandvik systems for battery management and monitoring as well as systems for energy management and fire detection and prevention.

“Modules can be easily replaced when they reach the end of their second life,” Laine said. “Ensuring the batteries that power our mining equipment are used to their full potential before being recycled improves circularity and substantially reduces our carbon footprint.”

According to Alvaro Baeza, Glencore’s Decarbonization Manager for Copper Assets, openness and collaboration among industry partners is crucial to finding solutions for electrification implementation challenges.

“Circularity and recycling are at the core of our business model and we look forward to working with Sandvik on this project that is well aligned with both transition challenges and our business focus,” Baeza said.

Sandvik aims to deploy the prototype BESS container at a Glencore asset in 2025, with the ambition to launch a commercialised solution in 2026.

“Due to such early adoption of our battery systems in mines around the world, thousands of modules will reach the end of their first life over the next few years,” Laine said. “These modules still hold as much as 70% of their original energy storage capacity when they reach the end of their optimal use in a mining loader or truck. Utilising this remaining capacity in a stationary energy storage solution is a win-win, providing both environmental and economic benefits. We can as much as double the useful life of our batteries and optimize their full lifecycle.”

Once commercialised, Sandvik plans to assemble each BESS as close as possible to a customer’s mine, reducing shipping and further improving sustainability.

Sandvik poised to complete SP Mining integration

Comminution of minerals, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Following its acquisition of the Schenck Process mining related business in November 2022, Sandvik has been working hard behind the scenes to bring its new offering and capabilities to market, with the OEM poised to complete the integration.

In October last year, Sandvik reached a key milestone in the integration of Schenck Process Mining into its Rock Processing Solutions Business area, when the company changed the names of the legal entities that came with the Schenck Process acquisition. The newly acquired entities provide Sandvik Rock Processing with a much better global reach, particularly in geographies where it previously had little presence.

This is especially true in Australia, where Sandvik Rock Processing only had a small team, while SP Mining had the majority of its engineering and R&D teams as well as production and service facilities in Australia. Schenck Process Australia, which employed over 400 people, became Sandvik Rock Processing Australia, now a major hub for Sandvik’s global Screening Solutions Division.

Since the renaming of the legal entities, the integration of the SP Mining business around the world has been a key focus area for the company. Part of this work includes the rebranding of all aspects of the business. In parallel the SP Mining and Kwatani equipment offerings have been united under the Sandvik brand. The company says the result is an unparalleled range of vibrating screens, feeders, screening media and train loaders.

In early May, the company achieved another key integration milestone, shipping out the first Sandvik-branded SP Mining screen from its Jandakot production facility in Western Australia. Pleased with the result, Sandvik’s Global Head of Marketing – Screening Solutions, Peter Newfield, previously Head of Marketing APAC for SP Mining, said: “Apart from the change to the look, branding and Sandvik nomenclature, nothing else has changed. Our legendary reliability, technology and aftermarket support remains as our customers have come to expect.

“We are now better equipped than ever to help our customers to optimise their comminution and material handling operations for maximum performance, safety and efficiency.”

Commenting on the company’s new offer, Newfield says that combining the industry-leading screening, feeding and loading expertise of Schenck Process Mining and Kwatani with Sandvik’s mastery of crushing and wear protection, allows the company to bring an unrivalled equipment line-up to market.

“This unique offering is underpinned by the expert process knowledge of our teams, a full range of digital tools, high quality OEM spare parts, consumables and lifecycle services,” he added.

But the integration isn’t just limited to the equipment. Newfield says that it has been a major project that involves every part of the business. In essence, the acquired Schenck Process entities have become Sandvik Rock Processing entities, and so SP Mining staff had to embrace the Sandvik culture and learn the company’s systems and ways of working.

“Of course, a big part of the integration is making sure that our key stakeholders understand the benefits of us becoming a fully integrated part of Sandvik,” Newfield says. “It takes time for people to adjust to change, and they need to know what is happening throughout the process. We have worked hard to communicate the changes to all our key stakeholders including our customers and employees.

“We are now changing the branding of all our Australian facilities, our motor vehicles and the work clothes that our people wear on the job every day. Our website and other marketing collateral is also being changed to showcase our new product offerings and brand.”

Newfield says he expects the rebranding projects to be complete by the end of June, which is the final step in the integration process.

“Our new offering, along with the advances that our combined R&D teams are making, allow us to partner with our customers to address our industry’s biggest challenge – making mineral processing more eco-efficient.”

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.

Avesco expands Sandvik equipment sales and support remit in Europe

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions distributor Avesco has expanded its European sales territory to offer Sandvik construction equipment and solutions in Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

Sandvik and Avesco have a long-standing partnership dating back to 1999 in Switzerland. The Swiss family-owned trading and services company has also served as a Sandvik distributor in Austria and Slovenia since 2015.

Avesco will now manage several Sandvik product groups in six new countries under the expansion, including surface and underground drill rigs, loaders and trucks, rock tools and mechanical cutting equipment. Avesco will sell equipment, but will also be responsible for supporting customers with after-sales service and solutions for construction applications.

Christian Bjorne, Sales Area Manager Northern Europe at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “We welcome Avesco’s expanded presence into more countries in Sales Area Northern Europe and are confident that this expansion will provide our customers in the region with premium products and services, as well as enhance service quality and customer satisfaction through local presence. Avesco has demonstrated competence in serving both the construction and mining sectors in Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland, and this expansion of distribution underscores the trust in our collaboration and the quality of Sandvik products.”

Rio Tinto backs BEV use at Kennecott Underground with growing Sandvik fleet

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

Rio Tinto is progressing its mobile equipment electrification move at the Kennecott underground operation near Salt Lake City, Utah, having transitioned from using Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions battery-electric loaders and trucks in a proof of concept to commercially deploying Sandvik battery-electric TH550B trucks and a Sandvik LH518iB loader.

Just last year, Rio Tinto approved $498 million of funding to deliver underground development and infrastructure for an area known as the North Rim Skarn (NRS). Production from the NRS is due to commence this year and is expected to ramp up over two years, to deliver around 70,000 tonnes of additional mined copper over the next 10 years alongside open-pit operations at Kennecott.

This followed a September 2022 announcement where Rio Tinto approved development capital totalling $55 million to start underground mining in an area known as the Lower Commercial Skarn (LCS) at Kennecott. Underground mining within LCS started in February 2023 and is expected to deliver a total of around 30,000 tonnes of additional mined copper through the period to 2028.

These two investments will support Kennecott in building a world-class underground mine which will leverage battery-electric vehicle (BEV) technology, following a trial with Sandvik equipment in 2022 involving an LH518B loader and Z50 truck.

The first LH518iB loader in North America has just been delivered to site, with the automation-capable vehicle equipped with Sandvik’s patented self-swapping battery system, including the AutoSwap and AutoConnect functions, to minimise infrastructure needs and enable the loader to return to operation significantly sooner than ‘fast-charge’ mining BEVs, Sandvik claims.

Since launching the vehicle in March 2023, Sandvik has confirmed orders or made deliveries of the LH518iB to operations owned by LKAB, Boliden,Torex Gold, Foran Mining, Rana Gruber and Byrnecut.

Rio Tinto will complement these machines with a fleet of Sandvik TH550Bs, some of which are already operating on site. This 50-t payload truck combine Sandvik’s 50 years of experience in developing loaders and trucks with Artisan™’s innovative electric drivelines and battery packs. The electric drivetrain delivers 560 kW of power and 6,000 Nm of total torque output, allowing for higher ramp speeds for shorter cycle times and an efficient ore moving process, according to the OEM. All of this comes with zero emissions.

They also come with AutoSwap and AutoConnect functions that Sandvik has refined for battery swap processes that take only a few minutes.

Rio Tinto has previously stated on battery-electric vehicle use: “BEVs create a safer and healthier workplace for employees underground, increase the productivity of the mine and reduce emissions from operations.”