Sandvik offers safe, dependable blast drilling

6th July 2018

Sandvik offers safe,  dependable blast drilling

SURFACE LEVEL The Sandvik DR412i is focused on the changing requirements of surface miners

Mining equipment and services provider Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology has delivered and commissioned the first DR461i, now identified as the DR412i rotary blast hole drill, to the African continent.

According to Sandvik, the DR412i blast-hole drill improves productivity while returning fuel efficiency and improved availability, compared with its predecessors.

The next generation Sandvik DR412i is focused on the changing requirements of surface miners and is designed to improve conservation and deliver dependable penetration in the world’s harshest mining conditions. Constructed for rotary or down-the-hole (DTH) drilling, the DR412i is automation-ready and built to guarantee reliability, while bringing new levels of safety and productivity to any operation.

The Sandvik DR412i is designed to drill blast holes with a diameter of 216 mm to 311 mm to a maximum multi-pass depth of up to 75 m. It can be fitted for both DTH drilling and rotary drilling and has a CAN-Bus-controlled hydraulic system for higher availability.

Smart Design

Further, the Sandvik DR412i has several features that work to protect operators and maintenance employees. Foremost of these features is its emphasis on creating space for accessibility and visibility, which starts at the operator’s cab and extends to work areas and routine maintenance ports. Work areas are optimised to serve productivity with the entire layout of the rig optimised for ergonomic functionality and safety in line with worldwide standards and guidelines, including the Mining Design Guidelines and the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table.

The DR412i is equipped with the Sandvik Compressor Management System (CMS), which effectively isolates the compressor from the motor, saving up to 30% on fuel with a proportional increase in engine and compressor life, while reducing carbon emissions.

The drill rig offers a host of automation features to further improve performance, such as line of sight remote-control options, which allow a single operator to control multiple rigs, or more advanced tele-remote-control operations allowing operation from a remote location using cameras, sensors, software and vehicle telemetry. The scalable (non-bundled) surface drill automation architecture allows for a customised path to the level of automation required and when customers are ready to implement the next level, according to Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.

Technical Specifications

Technical aspects of the drill include a rigid undercarriage construction that increases stability to allow for more drive power. Power delivery is optimised for efficiency through the inclusion of the advanced CMS. Smart, in-cab maintenance control features also reduce operator interventions and play a significant role in improving the overall operation of the rig.

Next generation auto-levelling, no-hands drill bit changes, full visibility of drilling operation, shock-mounted cab, function lockout fail-safe programming and touch screen operation also contribute to improved productivity and safety. On the outside, the rig has improved serviceability through a 360º catwalk system, optional hydraulic actuated main-access stairway and other features that make the rig safer and more productive to use.