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<\/p>\n\n\nSandvik has released a dual controls package for its DD422i and DD422iE face drills after successful field testing at the Jundee gold mine in Western Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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The OEM said the package will help with performance, versatility and optimize drills for multitasking. It took input from customer mining contractors who had used the drills for multiple applications, including boring, bolting and meshing, to create the new release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johannes V\u00e4livaara, product manager for underground development drills at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said many Sandvik customers had been using conventional Sandvik DD421 hydraulic controlled jumbos side-by-side with intelligent Sandvik DD422i and Sandvik DD422iE drill rigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn this arrangement, the hydraulic drills are used for required ground support work, whereas intelligent drills are used for boring purposes, delivering long and accurate rounds with minimized overbreak,\u201d said V\u00e4livaara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe wanted to challenge this paradigm with the new Sandvik DD422i dual controls package in order to make it a preferable option vis-\u00e0-vis traditional hydraulic controlled drills, allowing a single platform like Sandvik DD422i or Sandvik DD422iE to be used for multiple and different applications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the testing was work to compare its performance within true multi-task operations against Sandvik DD421.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing approximately 10% improvement in productivity and nearly 20% improvement on drill consumable costs,\u201d said Pat Boniwell, managing director of Byrnecut Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe operators really like the upgraded platform; everything from the improved cab ergonomics, sound reduction, and general comfort of the machine. They\u2019ve got all the benefits they\u2019ve had historically in terms of usability, with the additional benefits of improved drill control, and future potential automation sequences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new dual controls package includes a battery-electric driveline option to boost sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n