Boliden and Sandvik partner to test battery-electric concept surface drill rig
The partnership aims to gain real-world data on its operation and performance
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions and Boliden's Kevitsa mine have partnered to test and develop Sandvik's battery-electric concept surface drill rig in order to gain real-world data on its operation and performance.
The development process
Boliden Kevitsa, a multi-metal open-pit mine in Sodankylä, Northern Finland, is known for its efforts to minimize environmental impact while maximizing the energy efficiency of the operation. The mine invests constantly in automation, electrification and remote-control systems, all standout features of the Sandvik battery-electric concept surface drill rig.
The modern infrastructure at Kevitsa makes it an ideal field-testing lab for the new concept of drill rig, which Sandvik introduced in November 2023. The lessons learned during the testing phase will be used to further develop the machine's concept. The harsh Arctic conditions and Kevitsa's strict mining standards will ensure a demanding trial environment for the concept rig's productivity, safety and sustainability features.
"Sandvik's battery-electric concept surface drill rig is a testament to our mission to gear our value chain towards net zero emissions," said Lauri Laihanen, vice president and R&D of surface drilling at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. "Most of the emissions generated in the Sandvik value chain come from the use of our products, so minimizing these emissions is a priority that will contribute both to the sustainability of the end-products and global sustainability efforts overall."
What differentiates the concept drill rig?
The battery-electric concept surface drill rig combines the flexibility of battery operation with the endurance of a power cable. The battery pack, which lasts for up to one hour of drilling or up to seven hours of tramming, is primarily intended for tramming and drilling individual holes, while the bulk of production relies on more than 590 feet (180 metres) of tethered cable.
In addition to increased freedom of movement and flexibility, the benefits of battery operation also include higher utilization rates because the rig can immediately start drilling at a new location while the cable is still being set up. The more manageable tether, thanks to its simple setup with automatic tightening and smaller cable diameter, serves to make the cable operation as effortless as possible.
