Sumitomo Metal Mining’s Hishikari mine automates with Sandvik
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.’s Hishikari mine is the first Japanese underground mine utilizing automated loading technology from Sandvik. AutoMine® will help enable increased productivity, improved safety and better cost control, while bringing digital transformation of the mining process closer and increasing operational transparency.
The Hishikari mine, located in northern Kagoshima Prefecture, boasts a high grade of around 20 grams of gold per tonne of ore and has been producing gold steadily since 1985. Hishikari is the only gold mine in Japan that still operates on a commercial scale today. The mine, which commissioned AutoMine® Lite on a Toro™ LH307 underground loader in December 2022 to operate in its small cross-section tunnels, will utilize the system in production areas to enhance safety, accelerate underground efficiency and improve productivity.
“Sandvik did a great job commissioning and training our engineers and operators on the AutoMine® system,” said Hidenobu Yabu, Manager of Mining Section for the Hishikari mine. “Our goal is to become a corporate enterprise that produces resources with advanced technology by 2030. By implementing advanced technology and innovation, we aim to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve safety. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our long-term focus on the Hishikari mine.”
“We are excited to partner with the Hishikari mine on this project and look forward to contributing to the operation’s sustainability and productivity,” said Jan-Douwe Wansink, Business Line Manager Automation for Sales Area Southeast Asia at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “AutoMine® provides a safe, controlled environment that boosts productivity and profitability while helping to protect operators and other mine personnel in underground operations. This is an exciting opportunity for the Hishikari Mine and Sandvik.”
Isa, Japan, January 24, 2023
For more information, please contact:
Jan-Douwe Wansink
Business Line Manager Automation
Sales Area Southeast Asia
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Email: jan-douwe.wansink@sandvik.com
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Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a global, high-tech engineering group providing solutions that enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability for the manufacturing, mining and infrastructure industries. We are at the forefront of digitalization and focus on optimizing our customers’ processes. Our world-leading offering includes equipment, tools, services and digital solutions for machining, mining, rock excavation and rock processing. In 2021 the Group had approximately 39,000 employees and revenues of about 86 billion SEK in about 150 countries within continuing operations.
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.