Sandvik Exploration is exhibiting at Drill 2014 – which opens in Brisbane, Australia today – highlighting its commitment to the country’s vital exploration drilling sector.
“The exploration drilling sector is critical to Australia’s resources industry, and an event like Drill 2014 is an ideal opportunity for the sector to discuss some of the latest developments and opportunities,” said George Tophinke, Sandvik Exploration Product Line Manager.

“As Australia’s leading drilling conference, it hosts decision-makers from across key drilling sectors. This is an important event for our exploration business to showcase our latest technologies and meet industry contacts face-to-face,” he said. In addition to showcasing new products, William Howard, Sandvik Mining exploration automation specialist, will deliver a presentation on iMachines and Automation in Exploration at 1 pm on Thursday, August 21. In developing its exploration business, Sandvik has combined some of the industry’s leaders in expertise, techniques and equipment to provide a unique global offering. In addition to exploration and sampling drill rigs, Sandvik Exploration offers an extensive range of tools and consumables, including reverse circulation hammers, bits, reamers, core barrels, rods, casings, pipes, tools, sampling systems and geological products.

Sandvik Exploration products on display at Drill 2014 include:
• Forthcoming new NSU/HSU core barrel systems
• Two next-generation RC (reverse circulation) hammers, the RE120 and RE035
• New RZ400 core drilling bit range
• New geological Core Tray System.

New core barrels previewed
Sandvik Exploration will preview its forthcoming NSU/HSU core barrel system, a multi-functional system for both surface and underground applications, eliminating the need for different coring tools systems. Easily interchangeable components enable the system to be converted between NSU and HSU – meaning fewer spare parts and reduced parts inventory requirements. In addition, a single core barrel back end for both standard and pump-in applications provides greater flexibility – the first on the market providing the ability to offer both applications in a single system. This cost-effective solution enhances safety, productivity and flexibility.

Next generation RC hammers
The Sandvik Drill 2014 display will include its RE120 and RE035 RC hammers – which incorporate integrated bits designed to provide a cost-effective, heavy-duty sampling system for continuous, high-quality geological samples. Performance improvements with the RC range include a greater than 20% increase in power for a given hammer size, a higher specific power (kW/kg), 15% more efficiency generally, more efficient operation at higher pressures, and efficient operation across a range of pressures from 10 bar to 50 bar.