Sandvik secures large order for autonomous surface mining equipment and solutions in Chile
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has received a large order in Chile for surface mining equipment and its AutoMine® Surface Drilling solution from Movitec, a contractor on Codelco’s Rajo Inca open pit project. The order includes two Leopard™ DI650i down-the-hole (DTH) drill rigs and two Sandvik DR412i rotary blasthole drill rigs, including AutoMine® Surface Drilling systems for fully autonomous operations.
AutoMine® Surface Drilling is an autonomous solution for a wide range of Sandvik iSeries surface drill rigs, designed to improve safety, reduce costs and increase productivity. It enables an operator to control multiple rigs remotely from a comfortable location in line-of-sight or a distant control room – improving working conditions and safety.
Sandvik iSeries drill rigs are equipped with iDrill technology, a scalable automation platform that provides automation options and digital services designed to speed up the production process and support mining operations. Performance and navigation iDrill technologies work together to produce accurately placed, consistently clean and precision-drilled holes - delivering improved fragmentation, downstream throughput and asset utilization.
“We are pleased to work with Movitec and Codelco on this project,” said Emilio Vega, Business Line Manager for Automation, Sales Area Andean and South Cone at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “The AutoMine® Surface Drilling solution will enable the customer to use the drill rigs to their full potential and boost productivity with capabilities for fully autonomous operations.”
The new order also includes one Sandvik D75KX rotary blasthole drill rig with added intelligence and improved operator ergonomics. Delivery will take place in two phases before year-end 2022, with fully autonomous operations ramping up in 2023.
“We thank Movitec for their well-placed confidence in the Sandvik brand and technology,” said Patricio Apablaza, Vice President Sales Area Andean and South Cone at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “ We look forward to supporting them in increasing the safety, productivity, profitability and quality of their operations.”
In addition, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions will also provide contractor Movitec with remote operation training and six months’ on-site service to ramp up support as they transition to autonomous operations.
“We are excited to partner together with Movitec on their journey to adopt AutoMine® Surface Drilling at Codelco’s Rajo Inca open pit project,” said David Hallett, Vice President Automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ Digital Mining Technologies Division. “This project will play a significant role in establishing Sandvik's position as a leading technology partner for autonomous surface mining within the Chilean and South American market.”
Tampere, Finland, August 30, 2022
For more information, please contact:
David Hallett
Vice President, Automation
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Email: david.hallett@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 industry and rock excavation within the construction industry; products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys as well as products for industrial heating. In 2021, the Group had approximately 44,000 employees and revenues of about 99 billion SEK in about 150 countries.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, parts, service, digital solutions and sustainability-driving technologies for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, loading and hauling, tunneling and quarrying. In 2021, sales were approximately 41.4 billion SEK with about 15,500 employees.