Hecla Greens Creek automates loading with Sandvik AutoMine®

Hecla's Greens Creek is the first US underground mine utilizing automated loading technology from Sandvik. The major step will enable increased productivity, improved safety and better cost control, while bringing digitalization of the mining process closer and increasing operational transparency.

Hecla's Greens Creek silver mine in southeast Alaska is one of the largest and lowest-cost primary silver mines in the world. In 2016 Greens Creek produced 9.25 million ounces of silver, the highest silver production since Hecla acquired 100 percent of the operation in 2008.The mine utilizes the latest technology for production and ensuring its competitiveness in ever-changing business situations. Sandvik AutoMine® Lite is used in production areas to enhance safety, accelerate underground efficiency and improve production numbers.

"Greens Creek commissioned the AutoMine system in January 2017," said Keith Malone, VP and General Manager of the Hecla Greens Creek Mine. "The start-up was flawless as Sandvik did a great job commissioning and training our engineers and miners to operate the AutoMine system. We have been able to increase mucking time by operating the AutoMine loader between shifts when personnel cannot be underground due to blasting activities. As we add wireless communication into additional work areas and a second or third remote loader is added to the fleet, we expect further gains will be realized.

The system is currently installed in two areas of the mine where bulk longhole mining methods are used.

"However, with 90 percent of our production coming from conventional drift and fill stopes, installing the AutoMine system in these areas is key to overall productivity gains," Malone said. "We have just received two additional safety gates from Sandvik and are expanding our wireless infrastructure into these conventional stoping and development areas in order to maximize our productivity through implementation of this technology."

Hecla has a long term vision to increase the level of automation in its mines.

"This is truly a mutually beneficial relationship between Sandvik and Hecla, where both companies have put a plan together to work further with automation solutions," said Paul Painter, Manager Account Management, Application & Automation, US at Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology. "Sandvik is the world's leading provider of mine automation technologies with more than 200 automation-compatible equipment deployed worldwide. A growing number of other mines globally are showing interest in implementing Sandvik AutoMine® applications."

The Hecla Greens Creek Mine is located on Admiralty Island approximately 18 miles southwest of Juneau, Alaska. Opened in 1989, the mine produces silver, zinc, lead and gold and is located within the Admiralty Island National Monument. The entire project is accessed by boat and served by 13 miles of road, and consists of the mine, an ore concentrating mill, a dry stacked tailings facility, a ship-loading facility, camp facilities and a ferry dock.

Elko, Nevada, USA May 19, 2017

For more information, contact:

Paul Painter
Manager Account Management
Application & Automation, US
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Tel: +1 404 434 5246
E-mail: paul.painter@sandvik.com

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Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a high-tech and global engineering group offering products and services that enhance customer productivity, profitability and safety. We hold world-leading positions in selected areas – tools and tooling systems for metal cutting; equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries; products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys as well as products for industrial heating. In 2016, the Group had approximately 43,000 employees and sales of 82 billion SEK in more than 150 countries within continuing operations.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, crushing and screening, loading and hauling, tunneling, quarrying and breaking and demolition. In 2016, sales were approximately 31 billion SEK with about 14,000 employees in continuing operations.