The Sandvik DR412i rotary drill rig, which has a scalable surface drill automation system, is revolutionizing opencast mining's precision, productivity, efficiency, and safety as the trend toward intelligent drilling picks up speed.

The Sandvik DR412i, a diesel-powered, self-propelled blast hole drill mounted on a crawler and intended for surface mining, was first introduced in South Africa around two years ago. It has a down-the-hole (DTH) hammer drilling option in addition to its usual rotary drilling capabilities.

With a single-pass capacity of 17.65 m or a multi-pass capacity of 75.5 m, the DR412i is capable of drilling blast holes with a diameter of 203 to 311 mm and is intended for soft to medium/hard rock formations. According to Trinity Nkosi, sales engineer in the surface drills division at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, it is mostly utilized in surface mining but may also be employed in oil and gas applications.

The DR412i, which is a member of Sandvik's i-Series, was created in response to the increasing need for intelligent drilling solutions. Customers may choose the automation levels that best suit their operating requirements thanks to its adjustable surface drill automation system.

iDrill (onboard operation) and AutoMine (remote operation) are two of Sandvik's automation alternatives. The rig may operate either fully or semi-autonomously thanks to the onboard automation, with workers keeping an eye on the fleet and stepping in only when needed. This configuration improves operating safety and reduces human error.

By disengaging the compressor during non-drilling operations, the sophisticated Compressor Management System maximizes engine efficiency while consuming less gasoline. By using up to 30% less fuel, this technology can reduce carbon emissions and prolong the life of the compressor and engine.