Sandvik introduces ‘future of autonomous drill rig operation’ with AutoMine Surface Fleet
Sandvik Mining is introducing AutoMine® Surface Fleet, a feature that, it says, enables operators to manage more than 15 Sandvik surface i-series drill rigs from any connected site location.
The new solution delivers unprecedented flexibility while reducing downtime and improving productivity during shift changes, the company says.
The new advanced FleetFlex functionality enables operators to seamlessly and simultaneously control the transfer of drill rigs between stations, significantly enhancing the ability to manage a large fleet of machines with unmatched ease and efficiency. Its location-independent capabilities provide the flexibility required to drive continuous improvement and optimisation across both on-site and city-based control operations, the company says.
“The system is fully compatible with the AutoMine Universal Station, allowing the operation of both boom and rotary drills even in challenging environments, such as rock and weather conditions,” Severi Eerola, Product Line Manager, Surface Automation at Sandvik Mining, says. “This ensures every shift can be run at optimal performance, regardless of the conditions, by providing a fully integrated solution that allows mining operations to run continuously and efficiently, even during blast breaks.”
AutoMine Surface Fleet also leverages AutoCycle capabilities for continuous rig operation with minimal human intervention, automating processes such as stabilising, precise positioning, collaring, drilling, reliable pipe handling, hole finishing and tramming to the next hole. With AutoMine Surface Fleet, operators can manage individual autonomous rigs and oversee the entire bench, providing accurate positioning, automated drilling and obstacle detection for safe and efficient operations.
Extensive field tests at Boliden Kevitsa, a multi–metal open–pit mine in northern Finland, have proven the solution’s operational benefits.
”The geological conditions at Kevitsa are highly complex, with mixed mineralogy, ductile rock and seasonal challenges such as water and frost, all of which affect equipment performance and drilling capacity,” Juha Ranta, Drilling Development Manager at Boliden Kevitsa, said. “The AutoMine Surface Fleet solution has enabled us to optimise our operations under these demanding conditions. The ability for operators to seamlessly switch to remote control, along with the strong aftermarket support from Sandvik, has been instrumental in maintaining high performance.”
“The partnership with Sandvik and the introduction of AutoMine Surface Fleet marks a significant step forward for our operations,” Tom Söderman, CEO at Boliden Kevitsa, said. “Sandvik’s continued support and expertise have been key in helping us unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency. We see this collaboration as a key enabler in driving the long-term success of our mining operations.”
AutoMine Surface Fleet is designed to support operator development by enabling skill-building in real operational environments, reinforced through collaboration with experienced personnel. This reflects Sandvik’s commitment to safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement, it says.
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