Sandvik And Rio Tinto Partner On Autonomous Surface Drilling

Dubai (PlantAndEquipment.com) - Sandvik and Rio Tinto have collaborated to build a autonomous surface drilling systems for open-pit mining operations.

Through the partnership, Rio Tinto's Autonomous Drilling System (ADS) will be integrated with Sandvik's i-series surface drill rigs and Sandvik AutoMine technology.

The project's remote multi-rig and multi-site autonomous drilling operations, which are overseen by Rio Tinto's Perth Operations Center, are intended to increase safety, productivity, and interoperability.

Prior to field testing at Rio Tinto mining facilities in Western Australia, preliminary development and testing will be conducted at Sandvik's test center in Finland.

The collaboration expands upon Rio Tinto's broader autonomous mining capabilities, which now include remotely controlled rail systems, drills, and haul trucks across its Pilbara iron ore network.