Sandvik introduces AutoMine® for Underground Drills, bringing mining automation under single system

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is introducing AutoMine® for Underground Drills, a cutting-edge tele-remote solution that enables operators to remotely and simultaneously control and supervise multiple automated Sandvik underground drills, increasing efficiency, safety and overall productivity in mining operations.

With AutoMine® for Underground Drills, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has become the first OEM to introduce a unified traffic management system for drills, loaders and trucks.

“Sandvik’s holistic approach to integrate drills, loaders and trucks into the AutoMine® system will set a new standard for underground mining efficiency,” said Jouni Koppanen, Product Line Manager, Underground Automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “AutoMine® for Underground Drills is another milestone in our commitment to revolutionizing out customers’ mining operations. This tele-remote system redefines underground drilling autonomy and safety standards.”

The new offering is available for Sandvik longhole drills (DL) i-series machines, offering three levels of tele-remote operations: single drill, drill fleet and machine fleet. Operators have the flexibility to choose between operating from an AutoMine® chair or console station, depending which offering level best suits their operational requirements.

The AutoMine® for Underground Drills tele-remote system includes ring-to-ring tramming capabilities, allowing seamless control and coordination of drills, loaders and trucks operating in the same area with sophisticated traffic management.

Prioritizing safety, AutoMine® incorporates an enhanced Access Protector System. This safety feature is designed to prevent personnel from entering the machine area while the system is operating in automation mode or remote mode. In addition, it also has an advanced traffic management system that enables operators to easily control the traffic flow of multi-machine operations and handle complex operating situations, resulting in greater flexibility and mining output.

“We have developed this system to offer our customers a deeper integration and cooperation in between the underground drills, the loading and hauling machines and especially the AutoMine® environment,” said Sami Anttila, Product Manager, Longhole Production Drilling at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “This means added value through improvements in machine and fleet flexible utilization in remote operation.”

Sandvik's history of providing proven underground solutions with automation for loading and hauling dates back to 2004. Today, more than 1,000 underground and surface units operate worldwide at more than 100 customer sites, underlining Sandvik's commitment to delivering reliable and innovative AutoMine® solutions for mining.

For further information, please contact:
Jouni Koppanen
Product Line Manager, Underground Automation
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Email: jouni.koppanen@sandvik.com

Sami Anttila
Product Manager, Longhole Production Drilling
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Email: sami.anttila@sandvik.com

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 2022 the Group had approximately 40,000 employees and revenues of about 112 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 2022, sales were approximately 57 billion SEK with about 16,200 employees.