Metals and mining company First Quantum Minerals is introducing new automated drilling technology at its Sentinel mine, in Kalumbila, marking the deployment of this advanced system in Zambia.

The technology is expected to support the country’s ambition of producing three-million tonnes a year of copper, while improving safety and upskilling existing jobs.

Three automated drill machines were successfully tested at Sentinel, operated by First Quantum’s subsidiary Trident Mining, in partnership with equipment supplier Flanders.

Following the positive results, Flanders has committed to opening a local office in Zambia to support the rollout and to build local capacity.

First Quantum stresses that no jobs will be lost as a result of the automation. Instead, employees are being trained for higher-skilled roles, including operating the technology from a central control room and serving as roaming field operators overseeing the automated drills.

The company highlights that the new system has already delivered considerable improvements.

The X, Y and Z precision of drill holes have improved significantly owing to advanced laser sensors and GPS technology, resulting in blasting quality and fragmentation improvements.

The number of holes drilled has increased by over one-third and safety has also improved as operators can now manage the equipment from a secure, remote location.

This type of drilling technology is already in use in mines in South Africa, Botswana, Australia, South America and the US.

With the trials now complete, the company has received the necessary regulatory approval to roll out automated drilling in Zambia.

“Innovation is central to how we operate at First Quantum. We are proud to introduce this state-of-the-art drilling system and to show once again that Zambia is at the forefront of modern copper production. This investment helps us improve productivity while keeping workers safe and protecting jobs,” First Quantum Zambia country director Anthony Mukutuma comments.