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March 2015
MODERN MINING
53
PRODUCT News
Sandvik Mining launches
‘next-generation’ blasthole drill
The Sandvik DR461i is a diesel-powered, self-propelled, crawler-
mounted blasthole drill that is automation-ready and features
forward-thinking design and technology for bulk mining operations.
According to Sandvik, it is designed to withstand the harshest condi-
tions and is equipped for rotary or down-the-hole (DTH) drilling. The
DR461i was developed from the preceding DR460 drill rig and includes
upgrades that make it extremely reliable, easy to maintain and safe.
“For decades, customers have counted on Sandvik to develop
the most durable products on the markets – rigs that will be able
to work a mine site for decades,” said Ken Stapylton, Vice President
of Rotary Drilling, Sandvik Mining. “In developing the DR461i, we’ve
taken our customers’ feedback into our research and development
efforts and are proud of the newest addition to our drilling equip-
ment product line.”
The DR461i includes several safety enhancements such as autono-
mous pipe handling, above-the-deck bit change, additional walkways,
hand railings and safety interlocks. The drill was designed to fully
comply with the various safety standards around the world, such as
Mining Design Guidelines (MDG) for mobile and transportable equip-
ment inmines, Earth Moving Equipment Safety Roundtable (EMESRT)
Design Philosophies and CE conformity marking.
The DR461i has a completely new cab designed to ensure the
maximum comfort and ease of operation for the operator. The cab
includes air conditioning and sound insulation to 80 decibels or less.
It also offers unique ‘all in the seat’ drilling and tramming controls.
The newmachine is equippedwith a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
system. The GUI system digitally displays the features of the DR461i
while operating and tramming. Running off the CanBus system on
the drill, it acts like an electronic depth counter and drill monitoring
system in one, picking up information that sensors monitor in differ-
ent parts of the machine such as the motor, compressor, rotary head
and tracks. It then represents this data through an interactive touch
screen that the operator can
then easily scroll through.
The unit has a hydrau-
lic main access stairway.
Developed to be a safer
alternative to accessing the
drill rig rather than using
ver tical hanging steps,
the stairway enables the
operator or maintenance
personnel to bring tools up
onto the drill with a reduced
risk of falling. It is designed
to be self-levelling depend-
ing on the topography of the
ground around the drill, and
was also built to accommo-
date the different heights of
the drill levels depending on
the height of jack extension.
Dean Kangleas, Sandvik Mining Southern
Africa, tel (+27 79) 496-7038
The Sandvik DR461i blasthole drill rig.