Surface operations can now be operated with higher levels of safety and productivity, with the recent launch of Sandvik’s automation system, AutoMine® Surface Drilling for Boom Drills.

One operator can now control multiple drill rigs simultaneously. They can work from a comfortable location within line-of-site of the rig, or from a control room in a remote location. This means less exposure to noise, dust and vibration – and removes the hazard of working close to highwalls.

Automated onboard functions allow the rig to work autonomously. The operator monitors at fleet level and takes control only when required. The onboard automation functions of Sandvik’s iSeries surface boom drill rigs form the basis for the remote operation, minimising the risk of human error. The fleet view shows all the connected rigs and allows the operator to easily switch control between machines on the large touch screen.

This complete view of the drilling operation is made possible through multiple cameras, mounted on critical positions on the rig. The drilling main camera can be controlled remotely by using ‘shortcuts’ or with a dedicated joystick. There is even a high-quality audio feed to improve drilling performance.

The AutoMine® system helps the operator to use the drill rig’s full design potential, ensuring accurate and efficient drilling operations. The essential information on each rig is made available to see at a glance.

Designed for ease of use, the system also facilitates fast start-up under any conditions. It comes standard with a simple and reliable stand-alone network or can be integrated to a mine’s existing network solution. Network communication is established automatically creating a user friendly, reliable and ergonomic operating environment.

With operator safety being central to all mining operations, AutoMine® includes a safety system designed in accordance with international functional safety standards.

The AutoMine® Surface Drilling automation system can be employed on Sandvik’s Pantera™ DP1100i and DP1500i top hammer drill rigs, as well as the Leopard™ DI650i down-the-hole drill rig. The company also have a similar offering for its range of rotary drills.

Intelligent Sandvik drill rigs equipped with AutoMine® come with a range of onboard automation features and options to ensure optimal drill performance and minimise the possibility of errors. Among these features are feed auto-aligning and positioning, which ensures quick and accurate alignment and positioning according to the drill plan.

It also boasts an intelligent collaring sequence to make sure the hole start is perfect. The iTorque drilling control system ensures optimum drilling parameters for different rock conditions. Pipes are added and removed efficiently by the automatic pipe handling system.