Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions introduced the DD212i, its first intelligent i-series narrow vein drill, which, it said, is the industry's most advanced underground drill of its type.
Optimal in narrow-vein and medium-sized drifts, the DD212i is a compact, single-boom jumbo with a new carrier and updated design. Features include intelligent drilling control, a new narrow-vein carrier, SB20i instrumented boom, RDX5 rock drills, safer ROPS/FOPS cabin and canopy, and versatility in drilling applications. Scalable automation packages offer a wide range of features for automatic drilling and will help maximize data collected, Sandvik said.
The features combine to enable increased penetration rate, better advance, and better pull-out results compared to predecessor models. Other benefits include improved productivity, drilling accuracy, intelligence, versatility and easy integration into operations.
Sandvik said it will introduce more extras for the DD212i in the coming months, including Gold-level automation and a package specially designed for longhole drilling in narrow vein applications with a minimum tunnel profile of 2- x 3-m.
Sandvik also released a new module of its Digital Driller training simulator for the DD212i. The solution will help miners train operators on the rig in advance of deployment, the supplier said. "Our customers are interested in easy and fast training solutions with automated functions that enable higher performance for new and low-skilled operators."