Modern Mining February 2024

UNDERGROUND MINING

The performance of the rig can be tracked from a control room, where any signs of under-performance or impend ing failures can be picked up in real time. Mines can use this data to tackle areas that could improve productivity and uptime, whether in relation to operator behaviour or the machine’s condition. At the cutting edge of drilling technol ogy is Sandvik’s battery electric option, which is already available in the DD422iE model. Duiker explains that this innovation responds directly to the growing focus in the mining sector on sustainability and decarbonisation. “We know that our customers’ sustain ability plans are developing all the time, and they are looking for opportunities to drive this important strategic agenda,” he

says. The benefits are likely to be felt most keenly in greenfield operations that can be designed with battery technology in mind, but wherever battery electric options are applied there can be significant reductions in underground ventilation costs. Through its own sustainability initiatives, Sandvik is passing on benefits to customers who are also committed to the principle of a circular economy. In South Africa, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions sup ports two SMMEs (Small Medium Micro Enterprises) to extract the carbide buttons on its drill bits while boosting entrepreneurship and creating jobs. After years of technological development on specialised equipment for automated recycling, the company has facilitated the removal of the tungsten carbide buttons from the drill bits before sending them abroad for recycling. Making tools from recycled carbide requires 70 percent less energy and emits 64 percent less carbon dioxide. 

“To ensure that customers are fully supported when they want to move in this direction, we have a Business Line Manager in charge of automation.” Monitoring how the equipment is performing has become critical to mines’ efficiency. The Knowledge Box™ on Sandvik drill rigs collects a range of data such as advance speed, penetration rate, cycle times and other key performance indicators. He notes that iSURE® data collected from the drill rig can be used to improve the work cycle, and to enhance the drill and blast excavation process. “This improves excavation, production opera tions and planning through targeted reports and analysis,” he explains. “Part of the process of intro ducing and optimising our latest machines does, of course, rely on the mine’s communication infrastruc ture – as data connectivity is crucial; however, most mines are already addressing and implementing this requirement.”

The Sandvik DD422iE drill offers intelligent, electric drilling.

34  MODERN MINING  February 2024