The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News – November 15, 2023
Sandvik is developing an old rock quarry in Finland into a mine to test its next generation of surface drilling technologies.
Sandvik is developing the iDrill automation platform to integrate with its AutoMine Surface Drilling technology.
To further support its endeavors to develop the next generation of electrified and autonomous mining equipment, Sandvik has acquired an open pit mine site in Finland to ready new drilling technologies for real-world applications.
"Testing is a major part of our R&D cycle. This new test mine will help us shorten time to market and verify even more swiftly that we're delivering the safest, most reliable, and productive drill rigs to our customers," said Dave Shellhammer, president of rotary drilling at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.
Sandvik's new surface test mine is at an old rock quarry site about 25 miles northwest of the mining equipment and technology company's renowned underground test mine at Tampere, Finland.
While Sandvik has been carrying out research and development at the Tampere underground test mine for the better part of five decades, the site has been particularly active with the testing of autonomous and electric mining equipment in recent years.
Tampere is where Sandvik secretly tested its cabinless, electrified, and automated AutoMine Concept loader before revealing it to the public in 2021.
Now, the nearby surface test mine will provide Sandvik with a real-world site to trial its next generation of drilling technologies at a large scale.
"The development of comprehensive solutions that not only harness the latest technologies but also deliver productivity and reliability in our customers' real-life applications and conditions requires a real-life test environment," said Petri Virrankoski, president of surface drilling at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. "The surface test mine will facilitate the exchange of our deep know-how in equipment manufacturing, rock tools, automation and digitalization, supporting the design and development of even more new products and solutions in the future."
To accomplish these objectives, Sandvik is already developing the site, officially known as Sandvik Test Pit, and testing its first drills there.
In addition to surface drilling technology R&D, the new open pit test site will provide a demonstration and training locale for Sandvik's latest surface drilling automation, digitalization, and electrification technologies.
To facilitate this product development, demonstration, and training, Sandvik plans to build permanent office buildings and customer facilities at the Sandvik Test Pit over the next two years.
The test mine also provides Sandvik with a real-world environment to explore and demonstrate alternative power sources and infrastructure to support the electrification of both its boom and rotary drills.
"Decarbonization is accelerating across our industry, and the role of electrification in surface mining sustainability will help guide our development of new systems and solutions," said Shellhammer.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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