Equipment manufacturer Sandvik Mining has launched its AutoMine Surface Fleet solution, aiming to shape the future of autonomous drill rig operations.
The cutting-edge system is designed to transform the management of more than 15 Sandvik surface i-series drill rigs.
This feature allows for remote operation from any connected location, offering substantial flexibility and reducing downtime, particularly during shift changes.
The newly introduced FleetFlex functionality of AutoMine Surface Fleet enables seamless and simultaneous control of multiple drill rigs, enabling large fleets to be managed more easily and efficiently.
The location-independent capabilities of the system allow for continuous improvement and optimisation of both onsite and remote-controlled operations.
AutoMine Surface Fleet also incorporates AutoCycle features, which automate the drilling process and minimise the need for human intervention.
The system covers a range of operations from stabilising and precise positioning to drilling and tramming to the next hole. This automation ensures continuous rig operation and includes obstacle detection for safe and efficient performance.
Sandvik Mining Surface Automation product line manager Severi Eerola said: “The system is fully compatible with the AutoMine Universal Station, allowing the operation of both boom and rotary drills, even in challenging environments such as rock and weather conditions.
“This ensures every shift can be run at optimal performance, regardless of the conditions, by providing a fully integrated solution that allows mining operations to run continuously and efficiently, even during blast breaks.”
The operational benefits of AutoMine Surface Fleet have been demonstrated through extensive field tests at the Boliden Kevitsa mine in northern Finland.
Boliden Kevitsa drilling development manager Juha Ranta said: “The geological conditions at Kevitsa are highly complex, with mixed mineralogy, ductile rock and seasonal challenges such as water and frost, all of which affect equipment performance and drilling capacity.
“The AutoMine Surface Fleet solution has enabled us to optimise our operations under these demanding conditions. The ability for operators to seamlessly switch to remote control, along with the strong aftermarket support from Sandvik, has been instrumental in maintaining high performance.”
Furthermore, Sandvik’s new solution is designed to facilitate operator development by providing opportunities for skill-building within actual operational settings. This approach is complemented by the support of experienced personnel.
In January 2025, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, a division of the Sandvik Group, expanded its product line to include electric versions of its next-generation intelligent rotary blast hole drills.
