In the underground mining industry, staying on the leading edge means having access to the best equipment and technology available.
Advances in equipment efficiency and teleoperation technology are constantly underway, providing safer, more effective solutions to the growing challenges of modern underground mining.
When innovation and efficiency are essential, choosing the right mining equipment comes down to two industry-leading mining equipment production companies: Epiroc vs. Sandvik.
An Underground Miner takes a look at these two giants of mining and rock excavation, with a brief overview of each manufacturer’s history followed by a look at each company’s current approach to hardware and technology in the underground mining industry.
Epiroc’s mining roots extend back to 1873 when a company called Atlas formed in Stockholm, Sweden. Atlas originally produced equipment for the Swedish railway system, branching into rock excavation and drilling in the early 1900s.
When the “Swedish method” of drilling was introduced in 1936, it opened the door for Epiroc to develop and use lighter, more mobile mining equipment.
These changes expanded Epiroc’s business area to a global scale. Today, Epiroc is one of the industry’s leading manufacturers and innovators of underground mining equipment and technology.
Gold Standard Underground Mining Equipment
After more than one hundred years of experience in rock drilling equipment manufacturing and use, Epiroc has the market cornered on advanced underground drilling technology.
Epiroc’s “Jumbos” are face drilling rigs that can be designed with up to four booms and can house either of Epiroc’s direct or remote control systems. These behemoth rigs handle blast hole drilling, while Epiroc’s Simba line of production drills tackles long-hole drilling.
Underground Drilling Equipment
Much of Epiroc’s underground drilling equipment has optional levels of rig control system (RCS) automation, bringing customizable safety and precision capabilities to every rig and underground mining operation.
In addition, Epiroc’s dedication to sustainability has led the company to produce various battery-powered underground drilling solutions.
These innovations increase the safety and efficiency of underground mining while helping mining operations reduce their environmental impact where possible.
Sustainability
Epiroc’s commitment to endurance, sustainability, and excellence doesn’t stop with underground drilling equipment.
Underground LHDs (loaders, haulers, and dumpers) are available in a range of load capacities and frame designs to fit the needs of any mining operation.
In addition, Epiroc offers a line of traditional diesel-powered Scooptram loaders and Minetruck trucks, each outfitted to reduce fuel consumption without compromising on hauling power.
Alternatively, electric, battery-powered loaders, such as Epiroc’s Scooptram ST14 Battery, offer reduced emissions and higher overall safety for a sustainable underground mining operation.
Continuing Epiroc’s full suite of underground mining equipment is the Serpent ventilation system. Epiroc’s customizable system designs and professional installation mean that Epiroc ventilation systems have been tried and tested in countless underground mining operations.
Epiroc’s dedication to sustainability and cost-effectiveness shines through in its Serpent systems. Offering low-cost mining and tunneling ventilation that reduces operation energy consumption by as much as 50 percent.
Safety
Epiroc also has operational safety covered when it comes to underground mining equipment. Rock reinforcement is critical for miner safety and operational efficiency.
Epiroc offers a complete line of rock and cable bolting rigs, including Swellex rock bolting systems that expand inside the rock using a specialized pump.
Epiroc completes its suite with concrete sprayers—the Meyco line of rigs—that enforce operational safety by helping to reduce falling debris in underground mining operations.
Epiroc stands behind its underground mining equipment. Their Riglife service agreement covers regular equipment audits and rig equipment data monitoring, extending the life of any Epiroc rig.
Epiroc also offers a comprehensive component replacement system that allows customers to purchase a full system of replacement components. Having “plug and play” replacements reduces rig downtime and increases overall operation productivity.
To top it all off, Epiroc’s variety of rig sizes and pricing packages guarantee that, in the question of Epiroc vs. Sandvik, Epiroc takes the prize for underground drilling equipment.
Cutting-edge Mining Technology and Training
Complementing Epiroc’s industry-leading underground mining equipment is innovative automation technology that allows mining operations to customize the precision and automation capabilities of many Epiroc underground mining rigs.
Automation systems allow for greater accuracy in surface and blast hole drilling procedures while increasing miner safety and production efficiency.
When it comes to the Epiroc vs. Sandvik debate, Epiroc’s automation systems are less known throughout the industry. Still, they don’t fall short on innovation and application.
Epiroc offers its automation technology with complete systems and operations training, allowing any mining operation to succeed with the most advanced and capable equipment and personnel possible.
If you’re looking to outfit an underground mining operation or upgrade to sustainable underground rigs, visit Epiroc and ask for a quote on a package that meets your operation’s needs.
Sandvik
Founded in 1862 in Sweden, Sandvik began as a steelworks operation that initially faced financial failure before becoming stable.
In the successes of the hundred years that followed, Sandvik’s production capabilities expanded to include cemented-carbide products.
In the late 20th century, Sandvik acquired various rock mining and excavation facilities around the globe, bringing decades of production expertise across multiple fields to an international mining market.
Though Sandvik’s foray into mining operations didn’t begin until the 1970s, the company was able to combine its long-running expertise in steel and cemented-carbide products with innovative mining acquisitions to create a line of commercially competitive underground mining rigs and equipment.
Underground Drilling Equipment
Sandvik has a full line of developmental rigs and tunneling jumbos for underground hard rock mining featuring a range of capacities, each designed to maximize productivity and efficiency.
Sandvik further excels with a comprehensive range of bolter and continuous miners. Such as the MB650 and the MC470, which work in harsh, soft rock mining conditions, optimizing productivity in operations with limited space, and in room-and-pillar coal operations.
Sandvik continues its outfit of underground mining equipment with its underground LHD vehicles. These underground loaders and haulers are available in a range of maximum payloads and sizes, offering comfort, safety, and efficiency no matter the scale.
In addition, Sandvik offers electric loaders and haulers with a range of maximum payloads. These battery-powered LHD’s increase overall miner safety as well as operational efficiency.
Mining Competition
Mining has indeed been a primary company focus for longer with Epiroc than Sandvik. Still, customers will find that Sandvik offers a broad range of customizable diesel and electric underground mining equipment that rivals Epiroc.
Sandvik brings fierce competition to the underground mining business space, with many affordable drill rigs and LHD options to meet any operation’s needs, no matter the size.
World-Famous Automation Technology
Many of Sandvik’s underground mining rigs and LHDs are available with optional customizable levels of automation and teleoperation capabilities.
Indeed, Sandvik’s AutoMine underground mining automation systems are where Sandvik truly shines.
The world-first automation steps are being utilized in iron ore mines worldwide. The AutoMine family of products has taken the lead in the mining industry by being easy to install, customize, and manage.
This advantage helps provide customers with smooth transitions into varying underground mining automation and teleoperation levels.
Sandvik's AutoMine
Sandvik’s AutoMine suite kicks off with AutoMine Tele-Remote, a base-level package that is easy to install and implement.
This system offers operator-assisted automated steering and wall avoidance, among other features. As a base-level system, this package is easy to upgrade to a fully automated system at any time.
Next in AutoMine’s tiered structure is AutoMine Lite, which allows customers to take advantage of full machine automation. This package is ideal for customers seeking constant, high-end productivity.
Like all Sandvik’s AutoMine packages, AutoMine Lite is easily upgraded to multi-machine control, such as AutoMine Multi-Lite or above.
As part of its world-class teleoperation and automation offerings, Sandvik offers thorough implementation and operation training for all of its AutoMine technology.
Conclusion
Epiroc and Sandvik have made distinguished names for themselves in the underground mining industry, and with good reason. Both companies manufacture competitive, capable underground mining equipment.
Each company makes breakthroughs in operational customization, teleoperation, and automation year after year. Considering the industry contributions of Epiroc vs. Sandvik, Epiroc excels in rig and hauler design and customization.
At the same time, Sandvik leads the industry in teleoperation and automation technologies.
Furthermore, both companies contribute to the success of their customers by continuously dedicating themselves to excellence, reliability, and sustainability throughout every underground mining innovation they bring to the market.
For information about other underground mining equipment and production systems, take a look at some of Underground Miner’s other blog posts.
