Modern Mining November 2020

COVER STORY

SmartROC MK II – pushing the boundaries in blast hole drilling

I n this changing world where much of the tradi- tional and accepted ways of working are being questioned, Epiroc is convinced that automation technology will solve many of the challenges fac- ing customers. Against this background – which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic – the company has brought to market its SmartROC MK II drill rig range, which comes with an automation- ready platform and an array of smart features. The first three units have arrived in South Africa, with one already operating at a mine in the Northern Cape Province. The possibility to automate functions and oper- ations that make work safer and more efficient has had a profound effect on the way mining has evolved. Kevin Govender, area sales manager – Surface Division at Epiroc South Africa, tells Modern Mining that some mining companies and contrac- tors have generally been reluctant to jump onto the automation bandwagon, with traditional methods still deemed to be producing good results. Mines have in recent years invested in automation technologies in certain areas and usually on a small scale. Today, however, interest in automation technol- ogy – especially on the back of the current COVID-19 situation – has soared as it is largely seen as a very meaningful way to solve many challenges facing contractors and mines, ranging from skilled labour shortages to the continued squeeze on profit margins. One of the areas where automation technologies have matured is in rock drilling. Epiroc is one of the OEMs that has responded with an extensive portfo- lio of automation innovations as part of a continuous drive to make rock excavation safer, more efficient and productive. The new SmartROC MK II range of drill rigs is a typical case in point, with machine automation covering the full spectrum of drill rig functionality, from automatic hole navigation to rod handling and control. The range is chock full of automated and smart systems that make the operator’s job lighter, easier and safer, while boosting efficiency and productiv- ity to levels that were previously unattainable. It is ideally suited to a range of applications, including selective and volume mining, as well as exploration, quarrying and construction. Key feature upgrades The new SmartROC MK II is a radical upgrade of Epiroc’s predecessor range. A major talking point,

With automation technology transforming the mining industry and empowering drilling operations, the updated SmartROC MK II – the latest surface drill rig from Epiroc – makes evolutionary strides with the automation-ready platform and an array of smart features as its foundation. By Munesu Shoko .

Kevin Govender, area sales manager – Surface Division at Epiroc South Africa. (Credit: Munesu Shoko)

Rodney Keogh, product manager – Surface Division at Epiroc South Africa. (Credit: Munesu Shoko)

Photograph courtesy of Epiroc

With an array of smart features, the SmartROC MK II will help customers to decrease their operational costs and boost productivity.

8  MODERN MINING  November 2020