https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Carbide drill bit recycling programme

Image of carbide bits

Sandvik has introduced a recycling programme for carbide drill bits

11th April 2023

     

Font size: - +

Sandvik is introducing what it says is an industry-first ‘opt-out’ recycling programme for carbide drill bit users. The company says its initiative aims to transform the use of a material expected to run out within 40 years to 100 years, if consumption rates continue unabated.

Tungsten, a key component in cemented carbide, is a scarce and finite material. Making tools from recycled carbide requires 70% less energy and emits 64% less carbon dioxide (CO2) and also reduces nitrous oxide emissions, explains the company.

Sandvik aims to collect 90% of its own used bits by 2025. Other manufacturers’ used bits can also be recycled within the scope of the new initiative.

“Our breakthrough opt-out programme supports our customers’ drive to mine more sustainably and demonstrates our commitment to delivering on Sandvik’s ambitious sustainability goals to halve CO2 emissions by 2030,” said Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions Rock Tools division president Jens Holmberg. “We are determined to lead the industry into a new era, fully committed to embed circularity across an essential component of mining.”

According to a World Bank Group report, demand for certain minerals is estimated to grow 500% by 2050, and recycling of drill bits will play an important part in making the mining industry more sustainable. Historically, carbide recycling has faced several challenges, with limited collection of used products and inefficient, hazardous methods of carbide extraction.

Sandvik says it is now able to help customers overcome these challenges through its new opt-out programme and offer its customers extraction support, making it easier, faster and safer to recycle dull drill bits with the use of a new patent-pending method that will reduce transportation emissions by 93%.

 

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Latest News

SKAO director-general Prof Jessica Dempsey
The SKA Observatory has a new head
2nd June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Showroom

VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd
VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd

For over 60 years, VEGA has provided industry-leading products for the measurement of level, density, weight and pressure. As the inventor of the...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Iritron
Iritron

Iritron delivers advanced automation, control, and optimisation solutions to the Mining, Minerals & Metals, Consumer Package Goods and...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.083 0.993s - 236pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now