Byrnecut Australia uses a new automation and tele-remote package for Sandvik drills

Byrnecut Australia uses a new automation and tele-remote package for Sandvik drills

Byrnecut and OZ Minerals successfully implement automation upgrade for Sandvik development drill despite challenges of COVID-19.

Leading contract miner Byrnecut Australia has become the first underground operator in the world to successfully use a new automation and tele-remote package for Sandvik development drills.

In the first few weeks of operation, the drill has been able to drill 60-70 holes while being operated autonomously and remotely from surface.

Byrnecut introduced a Sandvik DD422i development drill featuring the package to OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill Mine south-east of Coober Pedy in March. With COVID-19 travel restrictions preventing Sandvik staff from attending site, Byrnecut, OZ Minerals and Sandvik experts collaborated via phone, teleconference and email to complete remote commissioning of the rig.

The two-boom rig, which can be monitored and controlled from the surface and features a sophisticated boom-collision-avoidance system, has now been in operation for three weeks.

Byrnecut introduced a Sandvik DD422i development drill featuring the package to OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill Mine south-east of Coober Pedy in March.

Autonomous operation over shift change

Byrnecut Australia Managing Director Pat Boniwell says the new automation features allow for enhanced drill operation across shift changes –historically a period when development drilling has stopped or been significantly reduced.

“We’re conservatively looking at a 10-per cent increase in productivity with this machine through being able to drill extra holes and the machine being used more consistently,” he says. “It picks up on the deadtime, and if it does stop for any reason we’re able to remotely reset it.”

The new boom collision avoidance system means both of the rig’s drill booms can be left in operation during shift change –something that was previously not possible. In the first few weeks of operation, the drill has been able to drill 60-70 holes while being operated autonomously and remotely from surface.

The two-boom rig, which can be monitored and controlled from the surface and features a sophisticated boom-collision-avoidance system, has now been in operation for three weeks.

Collaborative partnerships the key to success

General Manager of Minerals Prominent Hill operations, Gabrielle Iwanow, says when Byrnecut approached her about trialling the upgraded development drill, she was immediately interested.

“OZ Minerals is a modern mining company,” she says. “We’re interested in innovation and looking for safer, faster, and more efficient ways of doing our work.”

With COVID-19 travel restrictions preventing Sandvik staff from attending site, Byrnecut, OZ Minerals and Sandvik experts collaborated via phone, teleconference and email to complete remote commissioning of the rig.

Ms Iwanow says the commissioning of the drill in such trying times is a true credit to all those involved and the positive working relationship between OZ Minerals, Byrnecut and Sandvik.

Byrnecut Drill Master Noah Wilkinson says a solid working relationship with Sandvik and good communication contributed to the success of the commissioning.

“People from the Sandvik factory in Finland were able to remote into the machine over the internet and adjust settings that were stopping some of the functions from working,”

he explains.

The new boom collision avoidance system means both of the rig’s drill booms can be left in operation during shift change –something that was previously not possible.

Features for social distancing

Sandvik’s Global Account Manager for Byrnecut, Andrew Atkinson, paid credit to Byrnecut’s openness to adopting autonomous technologies in areas including development drilling, loader operation, production drilling and ore trucks, which are all engineered for compatibility with Sandvik’sAutoMine and OptiMine products.

In addition to the collision avoidance and tele-remote capabilities of the DD422i, the new automation package allows for semi-autonomous bit changing. Another handy feature of the set-up during the current period of social distancing has been the virtual network computing (VNC) capability that allows the control panel of the drill to be viewed remotely on a tablet. This means that during operator training, the instructor need not be in the cabin with the operator.

General Manager of Minerals Prominent Hill operations, Gabrielle Iwanow, says when Byrnecut approached her about trialling the upgraded development drill, she was immediately interested.
Nicole Portilla
Nicole Portilla
Nicolle Portilla is RTS’s Social Media Manager, and has been a valued member of the team since July 2018. She is responsible for content creation on all platforms, leveraging creative software, industry trends and research, and social media strategy to build upon the company’s online presence. Additionally, Nicolle contributes to the RTS blog, which serves to educate clients and industry players about our technology and sustainability efforts, and is responsible for the creation and dissemination of our internal and external newsletters. Prior to taking on the role of Social Media Manager, Nicolle served on the Sustainability team for nearly three years, assisting clients in achieving their sustainability goals through external communications and event organizing. Preceding Nicolle’s time on the RTS team is her work with Clean Water Action, where she promoted clean water initiatives. Nicolle graduated from Stony Brook University in 2018 with a B.A. in Sustainability.