Game changing, high performance drill rig from Atlas Copco debuted at MINExpo 201624.11.2016 10.00
Atlas Copco’s new ultra fuel efficient drill rig, the SmartROC CL, was one of the star attractions at the big mining show where it was unveiled for the first time in public ahead of its official world launch in December 2016. For the thousands of open pit miners around the world who use Down-The-Hole drilling technology, the new rig will certainly be seen as a major step forward. Not only have the designers managed to slash fuel consumption by 45%, averaging 35 l/h using a 165 mm drill bit, they have also boosted the achievable penetration rate by 30% compared with conventional DTH rigs currently in use. How does the SmartROC CL do it?
In addition, this package includes a range of automated, time-saving features including automatic rod handling (RHS), hole navigation system (HNS) and the ability to operate the rig by remote control using Atlas Copco’s BenchREMOTE system. Coupled with Surface Manager, Atlas Copco’s drill management software, this rig will be unbeatable in mining applications. Mattias Hjerpe, Product Manager, says: “Many of our customers in, for example, Australia, South Africa, Latin America and Scandinavia, who use the DTH drilling method, now have a great opportunity to slash their fuel bills and boost their productivity at the same time. It’s a winning combination.” When the first new rigs are shipped out for delivery in the first quarter of 2017, Australian miners will be first in line. Tom Ross, Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Australia, says: “The demand for the new SmartROC CL is already very strong here and our customers are very much looking forward to its arrival – and to becoming the world’s first owners.” The same sentiments are echoed in Latin America, and particularly in Chile where Vidal Martin, Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Chilena, is convinced that the rig will be especially appreciated as it has proved to function well at high altitudes. At a time when miners are facing extra tough economic conditions, a drill rig that can substantially reduce running costs and boost productivity is clearly worth investigating. Mainly intended for open pit mining and selective mining, SmartROC CL operates in the 115 mm (4 ½”) to 216 mm (8 ½”) hole diameter range. It comes with a choice of powerful COPROD rock drills and a maximum hole depth of 42.5 m. Moreover, SmartROC CL comes with a CAT C13 engine developing 328 kW (440 HP) at 2 000 rpm, available in both Tier 3 and Tier 4 Final versions. |
