Sandvik Mining has announced a new Pantera percussive drill platform designed specifically for mining and available for both down-the-hole (DTH) and top hammer (TH) applications, delivering increased drilling capacity, lower fuel consumption and improved safety.
Featuring a distinctive new-look design, the new range has been developed to take advantage of mining industry trends towards fully autonomous operation, with options allowing owners to take advantage of automation technology as their needs and mining operations change.
The two new models will be Pantera DI6400 (DTH) and Pantera DP2000 (TH).
According to Jan-Olaf Petzold, Director, Product Area Underground Drills at Sandvik Mining, the new Pantera line delivers greater productivity and better drilling economy, in an integrated package able to meet the changing needs of the mining industry for many years to come.
"These new drills have been developed from the ground up to meet the needs of today’s mining industry, as well as future requirements as the industry moves towards automated and, ultimately, fully autonomous operations," Petzold said.
Designed for wall control, pit development and production drilling in open pit mines, all Pantera variants share the same platform, control system and automation infrastructure, further reducing the cost of training, maintenance and ownership in surface drilling applications.
Petzold said the new Pantera platform combines an innovative approach to surface drilling with proven and intelligent Sandvik integrated control architecture (SICA) control system technology.
"Our new Pantera platform offers efficiency and precision in drilling, increased safety and comfort in its operating interface, while reducing emission levels and environmental impact," Petzold added.
Pantera DI6400 is designed for 115mm – 203mm diameter blastholes up to 45m in depth, while Pantera DP2000 can drill 152mm -178mm diameter holes 36m deep.
The introduction of the Pantera platform’s DTH variant, which will be available in late 2013, represents an entry into this market for Sandvik Mining, while the top hammer version, to be released in 2014, will extend the company’s lead in open cut mining TH drills, Petzold said.
"Our Pantera range is a major step forward in our surface mining drills business," he said.
"It combines mining industry-specific design, machine intelligence, increased performance and productivity, higher safety and truly ‘green’ features unmatched by other drill manufacturers."
The Pantera top hammer configuration featuring the new 45kW hydraulic rock drill Sandvik RD2045C offers superior drilling capacity in the 152mm -178mm diameter range for the first time in the market.
"Its combination of a longer feed module and greatly reduced tool handling times means many more meters can be drilled in a shift," Petzold added.
The Pantera DTH configuration will offer the industry’s highest operating pressures for faster, more efficient drilling.
"Our Pantera range also contributes to improved operating safety through a number of new features," Petzold said.
"These include an optimised combination of width and weight distribution for better stability, a FOPS/ROPS cabin with comfortable seats for operator and trainer and a remote control option when drilling in potentially hazardous areas where unmanned operation is required."
Pantera DTH platform
Designed for drilling 115mm – 203mm blast holes up to 45m, the Pantera DI6400 delivers up 35 bar operating pressure in DTH drilling.
This rig variant also marks an industry first, with the introduction of 25ft (7.5m) drill pipes, in diameters from 89mm -140mm, for boom-based operation.
Increased fuel efficiency is ensured through the proven Sandvik Compressor Management System (CMS), which precisely matches compressor use and output to drilling needs, and advanced clutch technology.
Pantera TH variant
To be released in mid 2014, Pantera DP2000 TH drill sees the introduction of the new Sandvik RD2045C hydraulic top hammer rock drill, combined with 20ft (6.1m) 127mm diameter drill tubes.
This rig is designed for drilling 152mm – 178mm diameter blast holes up to 37m deep.
Configured to meet customer needs
The new Pantera drills will be available in three configurations:
- Silver: This industry-standard configuration meets the highest global safety and productivity requirements, and is designed to deliver outstanding drilling performance, hole precision and quality
- Gold: Designed for applications requiring Sandvik precision TIM3D navigation via GPS and data transfer, as well as incorporating automated drilling functions and health monitoring system
- Platinum: To take advantage of Sandvik AutoMine automated mining system, this configuration incorporates all Silver and Gold features, as well as allowing autonomous and remote controlled operations