Sandvik Mining records major surface drilling win with Vale Base Metals order
Sandvik is to supply 16 surface drills with AutoMine® readiness to Vale Base Metals’ copper operations in Brazil, marking a major win in the surface mining space for the OEM.
The orders, which were mostly booked in the June and September quarters of 2025, with the remainder in 2026, include nine Sandvik DR416i rotary blasthole drill rigs and seven Leopard DI650i down-the-hole (DTH) drill rigs (one pictured), as well as multi-year service and rock tools supply. The rigs will be equipped for fully autonomous drilling with Sandvik’s AutoMine system.
Deliveries to site of the Sandvik DR416i rotary rigs began in the December quarter of 2025 and will continue into the June quarter of 2027. Four DI650i rigs will be delivered in 2026 and the final three in 2029.
The order from Vale Base Metals builds on an initial DR416i trial, which started at the Sossego mine in 2021.
The Sandvik DR416i is, the OEM says, a powerful and technologically advanced drill rig, designed for drilling rotary from 269.9 to 406.4 mm (10.625-16 inches). The Leopard DI650i, meanwhile, is a self-contained, crawler-mounted, intelligent DTH drill rig for demanding high-capacity production drilling and pre-split, covering hole diameters from 115 to 203 mm (4.5-9 inches).
The AutoMine Autonomous package is the most advanced level of automation and includes the AutoCycle capabilities. The AutoCycle enables fully-autonomous operation of the surface drilling fleet, allowing multiple drill rigs to be operated from a remote control room. This enhances operational safety, increases productivity and improves fleet utilisation, according to Sandvik.
Sandvik will supply equipment for the Salobo and Sossego operations. Located in Canaã dos Carajás, south-eastern Pará, the Sossego Mining Complex was inaugurated in 2004 as Vale’s first copper operation. The Salobo Mining Complex is located in Marabá, south-eastern Pará, and holds the largest copper mineral reserve in Brazil, the miner says.
“We’re excited to grow our surface partnership with Vale Base Metals, where we will provide our latest technologies and collaborate to optimise productivity and cost efficiencies,” Mats Eriksson, President of Mining at Sandvik, said. “This achievement also marks a significant milestone for Sandvik, Business Area Mining, demonstrating our ability to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of surface solutions across all divisions.”
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