Innovations creating customer value

Sandvik partners with our customers on their electrification, digitalization and automation journeys. We are committed to offering comprehensive solutions that integrate products and services for maximized productivity and efficiency.

The year was characterized by a high level of innovation and integration of offerings from our divisions. Sandvik presented several new features in our digital underground drilling offering, including the Sandvik DrillConnect mobile application. The app is integrated with My Sandvik File Transfer, enhancing the data flow between drill rigs and devices, and allowing operators to download and assign drill plans and receive drilling reports back from the rig.

AutoMine® ACS is an innovation designed to improve productivity and increase flexibility by allowing third-party equipment to operate seamlessly within automated zones. We also introduced new compatibility between software from Sandvik-owned mine planning company Deswik and Sandvik® DL422i, Sandvik® DL422iE and Sandvik® DL432i production drills. With this integration, drill plans can be transferred automatically from Deswik to the drill rig.

AutoMine® Concept Underground Operator Desk is an autonomous simulator capable of simultaneously managing up to four machines. While the simulator is designed for this threshold, the AutoMine® Fleet system can support up to 15 machines concurrently, with an expansion to 30 machines planned in 2025.

We also introduced a trolley solution for large battery-electric (BEV) trucks where no battery swaps are needed. The platform supports modular electric systems and is ideal for large fleets with high power needs, predictable traffic, and long ramps.

Sandvik introduced LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology for battery-electric underground drills. By incorporating LFP technology during field testing at Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä mine in northern Finland, operators were able to tram 50 percent further and achieve 20 percent more speed in uphill tramming. The two onboard battery packs offered 36 percent more usable energy than the existing battery technology, and charging time was reduced by 55 percent during the testing period.

Sandvik® DR411i is a rotary blasthole drill rig equipped with the full suite of Sandvik i-series technology and an optional automation system, AutoMine®, ensuring precise clean blast holes. This drill rig helps customers improve productivity and reduces costs in even the most challenging applications. Its intelligent system load management also helps to reduce carbon emissions and extend component life.

In October, we introduced Sandvik® DD212i, our first intelligent i-series narrow vein drill and the industry’s most advanced underground drill in this category. The drill ensures operational efficiency with precise electronic positioning and instrumentation for hole measurements and is optimal in narrow vein and medium-sized drift drilling applications.

Shank adapters encounter harsh conditions in many underground mines due to the use of highly corrosive water as flushing media. In 2024, Sandvik introduced Golden Shank, which features a patented corrosion-protection coating that helps increase service life and reduce drilling cost per meter. Field tests confirm 30–100 percent longer product life.

Examples of innovations