Underground mining's largest BEV truck to make Australian debut

Sandvik TH665B leads a packed line-up of advanced underground technologies from the company at this year’s IMARC. With battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) essential to helping mining companies reduce emissions, the prototype Sandvik TH665B will take center-stage at the Sandvik stand before it heads to Western Australia for a trial with Barminco and AngloGold Ashanti at Sunrise Dam gold mine. The 65-tonne truck’s lithium-iron phosphate battery and electric driveline deliver a remarkable 640 kW of continuous power, with zero emissions underground.

“There’s an enormous excitement around Sandvik TH665B, and we’re delighted to be able to present it to visitors at IMARC,” said Wayne Scrivens, Vice President, Sales Area Australia & New Zealand, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “With the vehicle due to formally come onto the market in 2023, this is an excellent opportunity for customers to better understand just what it’s capable of.

“Australian miners are introducing zero-emission underground mining equipment to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations. Sandvik TH665B will complement products such as our Sandvik LH518B BEV loaders already in Australia to help create safer underground environments with less heat and fewer diesel emissions,” says Scrivens.

The truck forms part of a packed line-up of advanced mining technologies Sandvik will showcase at IMARC, including new solutions for development drills and advanced simulation packages.

Same drill, multiple roles

Another highlight at the Sandvik stand will be Sandvik DD422i with Dual Controls Package, which helps operators of Sandvik DD422i and Sandvik DD422iE face drills to optimize fleet versatility and performance. The package was developed in cooperation with contract miner Byrnecut, using the same drilling platform for multi-task operations.

“Customers might currently be using conventional Sandvik DD421 hydraulic-controlled jumbos for ground-support work, and our intelligent Sandvik DD422i and Sandvik DD422iE drill rigs for boring, where they require long and accurate rounds with minimized overbreak,” Scrivens said. “With the Dual Controls Package, they can use a single drill for multiple and different applications.”

Being able to use a single drill for boring, bolting and meshing dramatically improves flexibility and has other benefits, such as increased commonalities in spare parts, service principles and general ease of use across the whole fleet. “It’s another example of how we’re working closely with customers to come up with the best solutions for the local industry,” Scrivens said.

Simulators to hit the ground running

Also on display will be Sandvik’s Digital Driller™ underground drilling simulator, which provides a safer and convenient way to train teams on Sandvik DD422i, Sandvik DD422iE and Sandvik DT922i drill rigs. Designed to improve operator and drilling performance, the fully mobile system weighs less than 50 kilograms.

“Using the simulator feels just like operating a real rig, as you’re using authentic controls and the same control system components that are installed on the drills themselves,” Scrivens said. “The trainer can initiate machine faults, incidents or hazards to train and assess operators. This teaches the user to respond correctly to any scenario, with maximum efficiency.”

Making use of the simulator means operators hit the ground running, which improves efficiency and productivity from the start. There is also no risk of equipment damage, zero consumption of rock tools and fuel, zero emissions and no exposure of the trainees to risk whilst familiarizing them with a new drill rig.

Conference visitors will also have the chance to see Sandvik’s AutoMine® Training Simulator. Available in two, light-weight trolley cases, it allows users to train on Sandvik’s automation system for loaders and trucks without tying up a machine or production, saving money without sacrificing production time. The Simulator uses the same controls and control system software as the AutoMine® system and is also an effective tool for advanced technical training for AutoMine® technicians.

Meanwhile, AutoMine® G Training uses Oculus headsets and controllers to create an effective and immersive way to learn in an interactive environment. Users can experience and interact with a 3D virtual reality environment to master the complete process of the AutoMine® system start-up procedure without the need for machine or production area allocations.

An overview of your fleet

Another highlight of the Sandvik stand will be the demonstration of the My Sandvik customer portal. Recently redesigned, the portal allows customers to access a wide variety of information on their fleet, request quotations and place orders at any time.

“The My Sandvik portal is highly intuitive and makes interacting with the company on a digital level simple,” Scrivens said. “The tasks you can carry out via the portal include shopping for more than 130,000 products and accessing online interactive manuals for technical, operational and maintenance manuals. You also have a complete overview of your fleet, including location, status, warranty dates and more.”

Meanwhile, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Sandvik Ground Engaging Tools (GET) which provide the ultimate protection for your bucket, significantly extending life and reducing costly downtime. The Sandvik stand will also include a range of market leading rock tools to improve productivity, profitability, sustainability and safety.

Following Sandvik’s acquisition of digital mining technology company Newtrax, customers can learn how technologies such as collision avoidance systems are making mining safer. Visitors can also learn about the potential benefits of Sandvik’s acquisition of DSI Underground, a global leader in ground support and reinforcement solutions for the underground mining and tunneling industries.

Brisbane, Australia, October 17, 2022

For more information, please contact:
Kate Bills
GM – Sustainability, Marketing and Communications
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Email: kate.bills@sandvik.com