UNDERGROUND DRILLING.

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UNDERGROUND DRILLING

The world’s first automated one-boom canopy, it is also available with a closed, air-
jumbo for the small segment, Epiroc’s conditioned, or heated, cabin improving the
new Boomer S10 S
operator’s comfort levels and well-being and
therefore also improving performance and
ultimate productivity. “The FM 2.320 drive

Facing system configuration provides one of the best

traction parameters among underground drills
available on the market. The Face Master 2.320
can be equipped with a Proximity Detection

the future Interface (PDI) to allow for level 9 compliance

with machine control and display the activities to
the operator. Also for operator’s safety an
optional laser barrier or boom isolation switch
can be installed.”
On the battery electric front, one of KGHM’s
Paul Moore looks at the latest technology evolution in strategic goals is to start using ‘green energy’ and

underground development jumbos & production drills zero-emission solutions in their underground
copper operations. These goals are in line with
including the latest battery electric options the current global trends in mining. They recently
or analysis of underground drilling trends, underground conditions very well. carried out lengthy tests of the Roof Master 1.8KE,

F India is a good example, given the

equipment its miners have been investing in
to maximise development rates. Successfully
A specific case when GHH India were planning
to do a slot pass and slot excavation in a long
hole open stopping operation proved the
battery electric bolter, and its implementation in
KGHM’s Ludin mine has been very successful.
“Based on the reports from the mine there have
operating at a number of sites across India the operational excellence of this long-hole been key benefits highlighted by its management;
PM 2.3 is taking a strong foothold in the market. production drill rig. This was a complicated these include: reduction of ventilation costs due
The standard production drill rig Production drilling situation, where the extraction in a crown to no gas emission (CO2 or NOX), lower running
Master 2.3, offered by Mine Master, part of the pillar was required and drilling accuracy and hole cost in comparison to the diesel engine, lower
GHH Group, is a self-propelled, long-hole drill rig diameter played a key role. The compactness of service cost, and elimination of transport costs
designed for drilling parallel up-holes and down- the machine allowed for excellent and fuel distribution ultimately leading to
holes as well as fans and rings in vertical or manoeuvrability and with the ease of operation significant reduction in overall operating costs.
inclined planes. A top-hammer system gives the of the PM2.3 the team on site was able to The customer also highlighted there was less
possibility of drilling in a range of 64-165 mm successfully complete the slot excavation to its heat generation and comfort of work improved
holes depending on the configuration, while the final profile. “The powerful 26 kW drifter also significantly through less vibration and noise
high energy drifter allows for faster drilling. A made it possible to complete this exercise in a reduction, leading to enhanced operator
remote control panel is included for easy shorter period of time. The PM 2.3 is definitely performance and ultimate productivity increase.”
operation and drilling accuracy. The user-friendly useful in the thinner orebody due to narrower According to the mine the results of tests
positioning system offers drilling in required development in reef to reduce dilution.” clearly show that it is highly recommended to
directions. The rig has very good stability for fast The complimentary machine to the PM 2.3 continue the implementation of battery driven
tramming even in tough road conditions. With a production machine is the Face Master 2.3 – a machines, which in consequence will have a
width of 2 m, a length of 9.2 to 9.6 m and a twin boom drilling jumbo. There are a significant positive impact on the environment by reducing
height of 2.45 to 3 m depending on the feed and number of these rigs in operation globally carbon footprint. Mine Master is also planning on
cabin type, the PM2.3 can negotiate difficult already. Mine Master is producing the new, using the platform-based approach of the
lighter version of this machine and RM1.8KE to make other products in its portfolio
says it will be even more optimal for available as battery electric rigs. These include
customers. “It is a perfect choice for the low profile drill rig FLP1410E, as well as the
face drilling and bolts installation in single and double boom drills FM2.310E and the
hard rock medium cross section or in FM2.320E.
cross cuts in larger tunnels. Its
compact dimensions make it very Sandvik Mining’s roadmap continues
manoeuvrable and the kinematics Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions plans to
allow for accurate movements of electrify its full i-Series drilling line by 2030, drill
both booms, thus the operator can rigs which tram on battery and plug into the grid
control the working unit without while drilling/bolting. Launches for the DD422iE-
wasting time for adjusting the booms DC (development drill) and DS422iE (rock bolter)
relatively to the face ensuring are expected in 2022, with the DL432iE (longhole
maximum productivity. Proportional drill) and the DT923iE (jumbo drill) coming to
valves enable precise feeder market between 2023 and 2026. Since the rollout
manoeuvring from hole to hole. This of the first battery-electric drill in 2016 – the
function is especially important for DD422iE – over 3 million metres have been
Mine Master is producing a new, lighter version bolt/mesh installation.” drilled and over 13,000 km have been trammed
of the already highly successful Face Master 2.3
machine Equipped as standard with an operator’s with these electric machines.

44 International Mining | JUNE 2022

Pinpoint
precision.
Paramount
productivity.

United. Inspired.

Quality and extreme accuracy equals serious cost savings.

Epiroc’s new Boomer S10 S pushes the boundaries of what’s
to expect from a face drilling rig.

The Boomer S10 S provides near surgical precision in drilling

and major cost savings throughout the cycle – all thanks to
being the world’s first automated one-boom jumbo for the
small segment.
epiroc.com
UNDERGROUND DRILLING.qxp_proof 25/05/2022 10:31 Page 2

UNDERGROUND DRILLING

designed structures and proven components the High Performance Development method – a
ensure a reliable workplace for both operators way of working during the entire drill cycle – the
and maintenance crews. Boomer S10 S offers up to 25% more
These rigs are equipped with an electric development metres compared to traditional
driveline system including a battery package and one-boom jumbos. The total cycle time is
an electric motor for zero emissions and reduced reduced thanks to better pull-length,
operating costs. Coupled with its smart battery fragmentation and less need for scaling. “It’s a
charging system, Sandvik says its drills will help snowball effect on productivity: accurate drilling
customers to maximise utilisation of their mine’s holes means less explosives, less scaling and
electrical infrastructure. The batteries can be better tunnel profiles. In turn, a better tunnel
charged during drilling, while electric power can profile means less rock reinforcement and less
be drawn from the system for supporting the tear on all the machines in the drift. All this leads
electrical supply from the mine’s network. The to severe cost reductions and increases
battery even recharges while the rig is tramming productivity and safety for everyone involved,”
downhill, using energy generated by the braking Berggren explains.
system. Epiroc’s Rig Control System, RCS, was first
implemented in 1998. The system is used for
Epiroc’s new Boomer S10 S pushes controlling several vital functions in Epiroc’s
the boundaries machines. It is also an enabler for several
Being the world’s first automated one-boom productivity increasing, efficiency boosting and
Since the rollout of the first Sandvik battery- jumbo for the small segment, Epiroc’s new cost saving automation features.
electric drill in 2016 – the DD422iE – over 3 Boomer S10 S it says pushes the boundaries of Designed for great ergonomics with lower
million metres have been drilled and over 13,000
km have been trammed with these machines what’s to be expected from a face drilling rig. The vibration levels and sound levels (<75 dbA), “the
Boomer S10 S provides near surgical precision in Boomer S10 S is a pure joy to use for the
Sandvik highly automated drills are based on drilling and major cost savings throughout the operator. Apart from offering better visibility and
electric driveline technology, featuring the latest cycle – all thanks to being the world’s first one- a multi-functional joystick, Boomer S10 S grants
technology in drilling automation, data boom jumbo featuring Epiroc’s Rig Control higher comfort and a significant reduction of live
management and tele remote operations. Its i- System. The consistent, repeatable, and quality work.”
series automated battery-powered drills avoid assured results are made possible by advanced
spreading diesel emissions into the environment automation, operator assisting features and Battery electric drill orders filtering in
and help reducing thermal load and digital drill plans. “With Boomer S10 S as our Both Epiroc and Sandvik have been announcing
requirements for ventilation capacity latest addition, we are proud to offer a major order packages over the past year, which
underground. Continuous, unmanned operations sustainable automated operation for the small include battery development jumbos. In April
through shift changes and breaks, utilising data segment, with a complete range of automated 2022, Epiroc announced a major battery-electric
up and downloads through wireless networks are rigs for face drilling, production drilling and rock and autonomous fleet order from the owners of
delivering high levels of performance while reinforcement underground,” said Sarah the Odyssey Mine in Malartic, Québec, Canada.
ensuring safer operations. Increased equipment Hoffman, VP Sales & Marketing at Epiroc’s The order, from the Canadian Malartic
utilisation and productivity while reducing diesel Underground division. Epiroc says the new Partnership, will be used in the new underground
emissions towards zero make the underground Boomer S10 S doesn’t compromise on quality. gold mine. The Odyssey Mine will be accessed by
working environment safer for the teams in “And in this case, great quality means cost a ramp and a shaft estimated to be 1,800 m
operation. savings in terms of wear and tear of rock drilling deep. Plans are to extract 19,000 t of ore at an
The Sandvik DS412iE is a highly automated tools, spare parts, and other consumables. estimated grade of about 2.75 g/t gold and
and productive, battery-powered, bolter for Compared to traditional, non-automated one- roughly 5,000 t/d of waste rock during peak
underground mining operations and civil boom jumbos, Boomer S10 S decreases the operations. The equipment ordered during the
construction tunnelling. This bolter is equipped consumption of consumable parts with 30% March quarter includes battery-electric versions
with an electric driveline system including a while lowering maintenance costs by 12%.” of the Boltec (an M10 Boltec) rock reinforcement
battery package and electric motor for zero Thanks to the digital drill plans and Epiroc’s drill rig, Simba production drill rig and Boomer
emissions while tramming. The Sandvik DL422iE Rig Control System the drill rig
is a fully automated, battery-powered top “is perfectly aligned in the drift to
hammer longhole drill designed for underground optimise ultimate accuracy,”
mass mining in 4 x 4 m or larger production providing less overbreak and
drifts. It is capable of drilling vertical and inclined underbreak, and longer pull
fans and single or parallel Ø89-127 mm rounds. “The Rig Control System
longholes up to 54 m in depth using ST58 and provides drilling accuracy way
ST68 tube rods. Finally, the Sandvik DD422iE is beyond what human eye measure
an electric mining jumbo designed to drive down could ever accomplish. It is high-
production costs while reducing the quality production from start to
environmental impacts of drilling and tunnelling. finish, and a great milestone
Major benefits of this innovative electric drill rig reached for mine development,”
include zero emissions during tramming and said Niklas Berggren, Global Product Manager Odyssey project operator training on an Epiroc
improved productivity. The drill rig's well- face drilling equipment at Epiroc. When applying underground drill simulator

46 International Mining | JUNE 2022

 SANDVIK DL422iE
INTELLIGENT AND FULLY ELECTRIC
Sandvik DL422iE is a fully automated, battery-powered, top hammer
production longhole drill.

Sandvik DL422iE is equipped with an electric driveline system including

a battery package and electric motor for zero emissions while tramming,
for a safer working environment for personnel underground.

ZERO EMISSIONS | HIGHLY AUTOMATED | PATENTED CHARGING WHILE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY

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 85 YEARS OF
SOLUTIONS.
Since 1937, Fletcher has been answering some of underground
mining’s toughest questions. At Fletcher we provide more than
solutions, we provide an atmosphere for an open dialogue with
customers to ensure their operations are reaching maximum
efficiency. Fletcher provides lifetime support through an
experienced, knowledgable team of sales staff, engineers and
field service technicans. Is your operation facing obstacles that
mass produced equipment isn’t addressing? Get your custom
solution started today. Learn more at www.jhfletcher.com

304.525.7811 MANUFACTURED IN
800.543.5431 HUNTINGTON, WV
J.H. Fletcher & Co. cannot anticipate every mine hazard that may develop during use of these products. Follow your mine plan and/or roof control plan prior to use of the product. Proper use, mainte-
nance and continued use of (OEM) original equipment parts will be essential for maximum operating results. 2022 J.H. Fletcher & Co. All Rights reserved.
 GOAD SYSTEM
Fletcher’s Graphic Operator Angle Display (GOAD) is offered as an
option on all Fletcher Drill Jumbos. The system utilizes sensors on
the boom and feed mechanisms that display hole angle and depth of
drilling on an in-cab monitor. This ensures accurate boom and feed
alignment for precise hole placement and direction. The system is
designed for use with both burn patterns and V-cut patterns. The
GOAD system in operation, has seen a 30 percent improvement in
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UNDERGROUND DRILLING.qxp_proof 25/05/2022 10:32 Page 3

UNDERGROUND DRILLING

face drilling rig (jumbo). It also includes an Easer rig with Sandvik’s
raise boring rig, Scooptram loaders, and unique and patented
Minetruck haulers. The machines will be ”charging-while-
equipped with Epiroc’s telematics system Certiq, drilling” technology,
which allows for intelligent monitoring of the company said.
machine performance and productivity in real
time. Komatsu’s new
In South Africa, Ivanplats’ initial order with ZJ32Bi two boom
Epiroc, for its Platreef primary mining fleet battery jumbo
includes emissions-free, battery-electric M2C Last September,
jumbo face drill rigs, ST14 Battery 14 t Komatsu Mining
Scooptrams (LHDs), battery-electric Boltec introduced a new underground hard-rock drilling The Komatsu ZJ32Bi is a battery-electric, medium-
bolting rigs and MT42 Battery 42 t dump trucks. machine with several advanced features, class jumbo built on a common platform for
Construction of Platreef’s initial solar-power including hoseless booms, at MINExpo 2021 in increased user adoption and efficient training
plant is scheduled to commence in August 2022, Las Vegas. The ZJ32Bi is a battery-electric,
with commissioning expected in 2023. The solar- medium-class jumbo built on a common platform Because of the common platform of the
generated power from the initial plant will be for increased user adoption and efficient training, ZJ32Bi, it essentially becomes a multifunction
used for mine development and construction the company says. The new machine offers a drilling machine, Komatsu says. Other key
activities, as well as for charging Platreef’s standard reduced hose configuration – only six features of the ZJ32Bi include:
battery-powered underground mining fleet. per boom – with a hoseless option. n An intelligent control system that allows for
Sandvik and Hindustan Zinc have signed a At the event, Komatsu showcased the new semi-autonomous functionality or operator
Memorandum of Understanding for supply of a jumbo with two booms and zero hoses. The augmentation;
battery-electric underground equipment fleet to hoseless boom completes all fluid and n A modular battery-electric driveline with up to
be used at Sindesar Khurd Mine to help it communication transfer inside of the boom 130 kW (65 kW base) of on-board energy for
achieve its carbon neutrality ambitions. cylinder, offering a potential game-changer in the demanding tram cycles and rigorous
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the March terms of automation and productivity, according hard-rock mining;
quarter of 2023, with the fleet being the first to the company. A hoseless boom also eliminates n A newly designed fully enclosed operator
underground battery-electric fleet to be deployed the need to account for hoses in automation cabin with advanced noise reduction,
in India. The equipment to be delivered includes algorithms and eliminates wear between the operator ergonomics, double-curved glass
an 18-t-payload LH518B loader and three 50-t- inner and outer boom tubes for improved drilling with a focus on air cleanliness; and
payload TH550B trucks as well as a DD422iE drill accuracy over time. n Lightweight, durable feeds in fixed and

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50 International Mining | JUNE 2022

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UNDERGROUND DRILLING

double telescopic versions, featuring cast response to changes in the bedrock –

polyurethane components to reduce weight resulting in smooth, fully automated
and help improve longevity. drilling, vastly streamlining and
There is also a one boom ZJ31 jumbo and ZB31 enhancing the precision of drilling work.”
bolter planned and expected to come in diesel The company states on future
ZJ31i/ZB31i & battery ZJ31Bi/ZB31i models. development: “Drilling work is now fully
automated, but this does not mean that
Furukawa’s extensive offering all tunnelling work is also fully
Japan’s Furukawa Rock Drill started in 1875 as a automated; some work must still be done
mining company. “At that time, we were users of by hand. Specifically, filling boreholes
mining machinery. While looking around for with blasting powder is done by hand and
better machinery, we realised something. We requires workers to work near tunnel
should make the machinery ourselves. Machinery The Furukawa T1AM, its most powerful single faces as always. Regarding explosive charging
boom drill jumbo for small dimension tunnels
that is safe and easy to operate for everyone, and work, there are laws and regulations on blasting
that delivers a high degree of productivity.” work and handling and controlling explosives,
It has a broad line-up including the T1AM, its fan cut drill model with rod changer; and the but partnerships working toward amending the
most powerful single boom drill jumbo for small FTH1AS, the smallest fan cut drill. laws are also needed in order to make tunnelling
dimension tunnels; and the T2AM, with a In June 2020, four years after the start of work safer. Manufacturers are also looking to
compact, simple structure and easy maintenance development, Furukawa completed and launched automation to solve two issues with rock bolts,
with two booms, again for small dimension the J32RX-Hi ROBOROCK®, a fully automatic drill namely safety with regard to mortar injection and
tunnels. The JTH2100A is a high durability unit jumbo. It reduces the burden of workers at some rock bolt insertion work being performed
with two booms and one cage for medium-range numerous mountain tunnel construction sites by hand, and, given the long, narrow shape of
dimension tunnels. The JTH2100R has a rigid and contributes to improved construction safety, rock bolts, shortening the time needed to both
chassis with a world-standard segment for accuracy, and efficiency. “Furukawa Rock Drill drill boreholes for and insert the bolts. Currently
medium dimension tunnels. Larger models are added an automatic positioning function to the it is difficult for Furukawa Rock Drill to solve
also offered but are designed for large civil drilling boom which, coupled with the navigation these issues with fully automated drill jumbos,
construction tunnelling projects. In fan drills, the function that guides the boom in line with drilling and thus the company has developed and is
T1AM-F is its simplest fan cut drill with easy plans, enables computer control of automated marketing a dedicated machine called a rock
maintenance and high durability. The JTH2100A-F positioning using the shortest routes. Automatic bolter for rock bolt work. The rock bolter makes it
is a fan cut drill with remote control and two adjustments to the three critical elements of possible to perform the series of tasks from
types of rod changers. Finally, the FTH1AM is a drilling control – impact, rotation, and feed in drilling and mortar injection to rock bolt insertion

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UNDERGROUND DRILLING.qxp_proof 25/05/2022 10:33 Page 5

UNDERGROUND DRILLING

teleremote, provided that RCS4 can be used via

Byrnecut mobilises for Wolfshag development LTE, Epiroc said. But Dömstedt, Mann and their
Mobilisation of Byrnecut’s newest offshore contract for colleagues on the project have already come a
Canadian-owned Corp B2Gold recently commenced. The long way since the very first tests in December
contract is located at the Otjikoto operation and specifically 2020, which were designed to show whether
covers the new high grade Wolfshag Underground Mine, teleremote over the LTE network worked at all.
approximately 320 km north of the capital city Windhoek, Dömstedt said: “We were in Epiroc’s workshop
Namibia. Wolfshag is Byrnecut’s first mining contract in 800 m down in the mine. We had a remote station
Namibia and the team includes 34 experienced expatriate in the room next to the rig, and we looked out to
miners from Australia, Indonesia and parts of Africa working jointly with 58 appointed local see if it was moving around on the rig, and it
Namibians and B2Gold Otjikoto staff to ensure the success of what is the first underground gold was.”
mine in Namibia. The company sees LTE opening further
Byrnecut said the client is currently upgrading the camp to accommodate all Byrnecut possibilities. For example, Zinkgruvan has
employees and ensure that it is a first-class facility. The contract for Wolfshag is valued at US$112 collaborated with Mobilaris to set up unique, full
million and consists of both development and production, including a total of 10 km of site coverage, communication and positioning
development and a total material movement of 3.2 Mt. The underground fleet is mainly from infrastructure at the site, a project that led to the
Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions and currently consists of one DD422i DC jumbo, one DD422i development of Mobilaris Virtual Tag™, which is
jumbo, two LH517i loaders, three TH551 trucks and a DL432i production drill rig. running on LTE.
In its full year 2021 results, B2Gold stated: “Development of the Wolfshag underground mine Mann said: “As we are the first to build
continues to progress with ore production expected to begin in the first half of 2022. The initial something like this, we haven’t been able to ask
underground Mineral Reserve estimate for the down-plunge extension of the Wolfshag deposit anyone for help, we’ve had to solve all the
includes 210,000 oz of gold in 1.2 Mt of ore at 5.57 g/t gold.” problems ourselves along the way.” According to
Mann, the key to success lies in clear, short
from the operator’s deck, with no manual drill,” Lindblad said. “But you do have to keep a decision-making paths and a responsive way of
procedures.” close watch on the measurement values on the working where everyone, including partners and
display.” suppliers, takes responsibility and is fully committed.
Zinkgruvan Simbas on 4G LTE Epiroc said: “Building a dedicated LTE network “This is exactly our approach to this project,”
network has been a challenge. It is much harder to bring he said. “Everyone involved has had direct
Looking at production drilling advances, together a design in a mine than above ground. contact with each other. Even the operators have
Zinkgruvan Mining is feeling the effects of However, the choice was easy.” been able to talk directly to those building the
teleremote drilling using a 4G LTE network and Craig Griffiths, Mining Manager at Zinkgruvan network.”
Epiroc’s Simba E7 rig at its underground base Mining, said the company, a Lundin Mining The close cooperation with Epiroc has been
metal mine, according to a case study from the subsidiary, looked at running automation via Wi- crucial to the project, according to the OEM. “Our
Sweden-based OEM. In early spring 2021, Fi, but decided against this as it wanted the development has gone hand-in-hand with that of
Zinkgruvan Mining, working in conjunction with network to work for at least another 10 years and Epiroc,” Mann said. “They’ve known that we were
Epiroc and IT, and telecom operator Telia, first be able to handle the demands of the future. He going to build an LTE network and then
connected its Simba E7 rig to an LTE (Long Term is convinced the investment puts the mine in a developed their teleremote system accordingly.”
Evolution) network. Since then, remote good position for years to come. Despite the fact Zinkgruvan is still a long way
production has taken off like a shot in the areas “This will give us better control over our from bringing home the project, both Mann and
where the LTE network has been commissioned, production and reduce our costs,” he said. “It Dömstedt are proud of what they have achieved.
according to Epiroc, while acknowledging this is feels really good. But the greatest gain will be in After completing 6,500 remotely drilled metres,
still in trial mode. respect of safety, with our employees having to they say the drilling is more efficient than ever,
The mine has a total of four Epiroc Simba rigs, spend less time in the mine.” while the operators are satisfied and happy. The
with, at present, one of these connected via While the Simba occasionally – under target is to reach 10,000 m, after which a
Simba Teleremote, some 350 m underground. In Lindblad’s supervision above ground – changes thorough evaluation of the technology will be
the future, operators may move to an office 800 position for a new drill hole, Mattias Dömstedt, carried out. IM
m underground to get closer to the rig. “So far, Technical Production Coordinator, and
we’ve drilled seven pallets remotely,” Operator, Håkan Mann, Project Manager, explain
Jocke Lindblad, said. “It runs very smoothly, and how the technology works, and how the
as soon as we find something that doesn’t work, work of installing it has progressed.
I can call the Epiroc service engineer who has “Once complete, the project will have
been there from the start.” Lindblad monitors the seen about 70 remote radio units, ie
rig from a quiet above-ground office. transmitters and receivers of radio
The fact the operators do not need to drive signals in the LTE network, installed in
down into the mine on a regular basis means the mine, providing coverage of around
they can drill an average of four hours more per 70 km,” Mann said. “The LTE network
day, according to Epiroc. In purely technical will then be extended as the mine
terms, Lindblad can operate the rig from an office expands. The portion of the LTE network
in the same way as he would down in the mine. currently in operation covers around 15 km.” In 2021, Zinkgruvan Mining, working in
The screens and levers are the same as on the By then, hopefully some time in 2022, it will conjunction with Epiroc and IT, and telecom
operator Telia, first connected its Simba E7 rig to
rig. “The only difference is that I can’t hear the be possible to run another Simba rig by an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network

52 International Mining | JUNE 2022

Project2_Layout 1 05/05/2022 12:09 Page 2

Enabling
Innovation
Visit us @Exponor 2022

We invest to drive improvements, helping make underground operations

safer, easier and more cost-effective. We are witnessing a technological
revolution in the underground sector. Automation is enabling the safe and
remote operation of equipment, while smart technology allows the real-time
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220412_IM_2022.indd 6
Project2_Layout 1 05/05/2022 12:09 Page 3

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