Proven drill improves post-blast fragmentation
SIMBA RIG Paired with the Simba E60 S or E70 S drill rig machine, the COPROD drilling system will ensure seamless rock drilling processes
COPROD DRILLING SYSTEM The COPROD system will be available for underground miners with its incorporation into Epiroc’s Simba platform
SEBASTIAN RIOS Pucobre mine has seen great success in its drilling procedures with the use of the COPROD and Simba drill rig
After successful drilling results shown at an underground operation of Chile-based copper miner Pucobre, mining equipment manufacturer Epiroc is introducing its COPROD rock drilling system, to be used with Epiroc’s range of Simba drill rigs, which will ensure better fragmentation after blasting operations.
Historically only available for surface drilling equipment, the COPROD system will be available for underground miners with its incorporation into Epiroc’s Simba platform.
Pucobre has used COPROD for Simba since 2022 and quickly experienced improved results, such as better fragmentation after blasting, dilution reduction to 5% and increased burden to 24 m.
Based on the successful results, Pucobre has placed an order for three additional Simba E70 S equipped with the COPROD system.
“Pucobre is an excellent example of how COPROD for Simba can unlock new opportunities in mine design with the potential to lower cost per tonne, for example by enabling double benches and higher draw bells,” says Epiroc Underground division accounts and applications head Lars Bergkvist.
The COPROD rock drilling system offers a three times higher penetration rate than traditional drilling methods and significantly lower energy consumption of top-hammer equipment with the hole quality and straightness of down-the-hole drilling.
“With drilling being the first step in the process flow, COPROD for Simba creates huge opportunities for optimisation and downstream benefits,” says Epiroc Underground division rock reinforcement and production drilling global portfolio manager Mathias Edhammer.
He adds that the COPROD system will help improve fragmentation and ore recovery, while decreasing hole dilution significantly.
COPROD for Simba combines the rock drill with the smart series of Simba production drill rigs, as well as digital tools and Epiroc’s Sixth Sense optimisation approach – creating a complete package for improved quality and performance of long hole drilling.
Comments
Research Reports
Projects
Latest Multimedia
Latest News
Showroom
At SMS group, we have made it our mission to create a carbon-neutral and sustainable metals industry.
VISIT SHOWROOM
Press Office
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation
