Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has partnered with Boliden’s Kevitsa mine to field-test a battery-electric concept surface drill rig at the latter’s Kevitsa mine in Sodankylä, northern Finland.

This collaboration aims to gather real-world data on the rig's performance and operational capabilities.

The Kevitsa mine is a multi-metal open-pit operation. Its ongoing investments in automation, electrification and remote-control systems align with the features of Sandvik's battery-electric surface drill rig.

Introduced in November 2023, the concept drill rig is set to undergo rigorous testing at Kevitsa's modern infrastructure.

The harsh Arctic conditions and the mine's stringent standards will create a challenging environment to test the rig's productivity, safety and sustainability.

Featuring a combination of battery power and cable connection, the battery-electric surface drill rig is equipped with a battery pack that supports up to one hour of drilling or seven hours of tramming.

This rig is designed for both individual hole drilling and extensive production work, which relies on a 590ft tethered cable.

The tether system of the rig is designed to simplify operations with automatic tightening and a reduced cable diameter, enhancing the overall efficiency of cable management.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions surface drilling R&D vice-president Lauri Laihanen said: “Sandvik’s battery-electric concept surface drill rig is a testament to our mission to gear our value chain towards net-zero emissions.

“Most of the emissions generated in the Sandvik value chain come from the use of our products, so minimising these emissions is a priority that will contribute both to the sustainability of the end-products and global sustainability efforts overall.”

Last month, Sandvik agreed to acquire Universal Field Robots, which offers autonomous solutions for both surface and underground mining markets.