https://www.engineeringnews.co.za
Efficiency|Energy|Fire|Innovation|Mining|Power|Pumps|Rental|System|Technology|Underground|Maintenance|Drilling
Efficiency|Energy|Fire|Innovation|Mining|Power|Pumps|Rental|System|Technology|Underground|Maintenance|Drilling
efficiency|energy|fire|innovation|mining|power|pumps|rental|system|technology|underground|maintenance|drilling

Electric drill rig set to transform mining

The Sandvik DD422iE’s electric drill rig

The Sandvik DD422iE’s electric drill rig

21st August 2020

     

Font size: - +

A transition from diesel-driven to battery-powered drill rigs is expected across Southern African mines, with the introduction of a highly-automated underground electric drill rig.

The innovation has been in development for the past three years and, accoding to Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology, the company’s new DD422iE rig has already seen enthusiastic take-up in mining countries with strict anti-pollution regulations.

The key benefits of the battery concept in underground drill rigs are said to include:

  • Zero emissions
  • Less heat
  • Safer and healthier working conditions owing to lower noise levels and reduced risk of fire
  • Increased drilling productivity
  • Reduced operating costs
  • Better energy efficiency
  • Less noise

The Sandvik DD422iE’s electric driveline, with an electric motor mechanically connected to axles for high torque and high efficiency, allows the rig to tram independently between working areas. The unit’s high-precision inverter is designed to deliver exact control of the tramming speed.

The company explains that the rig needs to be connected to mains power only during the actual drilling, at which point the electric motor is connected onto hydraulic pumps. Improved drilling power of up to 20% is said to be achieved by an active power compensation system which draws reserve power from batteries during peak loads. Battery charging is done during those phases of the drilling cycle when power intake is low, such as during boom movements, reducing the waiting time to charge up batteries.

The unit uses sodium nickel chloride technology, which is regarded as the safest battery system for underground conditions. The company offers a battery rental option to customers, taking responsibility for battery inspection and maintenance, as well as responsible disposal at the end of the battery’s life.

This option means that the battery becomes an operational cost for the mine, rather than a capital expense and aims to give customers the certainty of predictable operating costs while adopting a new technology.

Comments

Showroom

SMS group
SMS group

At SMS group, we have made it our mission to create a carbon-neutral and sustainable metals industry.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa (Pty) Ltd
Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa (Pty) Ltd

Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa is sole distributors for Goodwin electrically driven, submersible, abrasion resistance slurry pumps.

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







sq:5.7 5.823s - 246pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now