Sandvik has announced a collaboration aimed at developing and integrating its i-series surface drill rigs with Rio Tinto's Autonomous Drilling System.
This partnership seeks to enhance safety, productivity and system compatibility in open-pit mining by combining Rio Tinto’s autonomous drilling and remote operations experience with Sandvik’s AutoMine automation technology.
The joint effort will focus on developing interoperability and autonomous capabilities for remote, multi-site and multi-rig operations.
Testing will be coordinated through Rio Tinto’s Operations Centre in Perth, Australia. Initial phases will involve development and testing at the Sandvik Test Pit in Finland, followed by site-based trials at Rio Tinto’s Western Australian operations.
The programme will include field trials designed to assess performance against production targets.
Rio Tinto's iron ore sites such as Gudai-Darri already utilise similar autonomous technologies, employing remote monitoring and control of trucks, drills and trains.
Sandvik Surface Drilling president Petri Virrankoski said: “This joint development reflects Sandvik’s commitment to improving safety and productivity through open, interoperable automation.
“Building on AutoMine and our i-series platform, we are proud to extend our long-standing relationship with Rio Tinto and support the continued development of autonomous drilling for demanding Pilbara conditions.”
In April 2026, Sandvik received an order from Glencore for the supply of three DR413i rotary blasthole drill rigs to reopen the Bajo de la Alumbrera copper mine in Argentina.
In a separate development, Rio Tinto has begun commissioning a $1.5bn (£1.11bn) smelter expansion at its Complexe Arvida site in Quebec, Canada, focusing on utilising its low-carbon AP60 aluminium smelting technology.
The commissioning phase, which began in March, is set to conclude by the end of 2026. Upon completion, all 96 pots will be operational, boosting the plant's capacity by around 160,000t of primary aluminium each year. This expansion brings the total production at the site to 220,000t using the AP60 technology.
In addition to the smelter expansion, a new aluminium recycling centre is planned at Arvida.
