Sandvik says a new surface test mine in Finland will help it develop and prove new drilling technologies.
A former quarry (pictured above) 40km north-west of the manufacturer’s underground test mine at Tampere has been chosen as its first test site “dedicated exclusively to surface drilling on such a large scale”.
“The surface test mine will facilitate the exchange of our deep know-how in equipment manufacturing, rock tools, automation and digitalisation, supporting the design and development of even more new products and solutions in the future,” Sandvik surface drilling president Petri Virrankoski said.
The company says its drill test site will have facilities to enable it to explore and demonstrate power-source alternatives in “a real-world environment”.
“Decarbonisation is accelerating across our industry and the role of electrification in surface mining sustainability will help guide our development of new systems and solutions,” said Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions rotary drilling president, Dave Shellhammer.
“Testing is a major part of our R&D cycle.
“This new test mine will help us shorten time to market and verify even more swiftly that we’re delivering the safest, most reliable and productive drill rigs to our customers.”
