Game changing, high performance drill rig from Atlas Copco to debut at MINExpo 2016.
Atlas Copco’s new ultra fuel efficient drill rig, the SmartROC CL, will be one of the star attractions at the big mining show where it will be unveiled for the first time in public ahead of its official world launch in November.
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 50% compared with conventional DTH rigs currently in use.
How does the SmartROC CL do it?
- The engine power required to drive various functions and operations can now be controlled and optimized in a way that was previously not possible, thereby minimizing the amount of diesel fuel consumed overall.
- The design of the COPROD drill string which, combined with a choice of robust, high powered rock drills up to 50 KW, gives the kind of high penetration rates normally only achieved in top hammer drilling together with the superior hole quality that comes with Down-The-Hole (DTH) drilling.
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.
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.
Mattias Hjerpe, Product Manager
When the first new rigs are shipped out for delivery in the first quarter of 2017, Australian miners will be first in line.
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.
Tom Ross, Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Australia
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.
At MINExpo 2016, visitors will find the SmartROC CL on display in the North Hall, at the Atlas Copco Booth No 2121.