Mining companies rely on continuous innovation to be able to to deliver the productivity increases that drive economics in this highly cyclical sector. Electrification, automation, digitisation and data analytics are all key current trends.
E&T was given a rare opportunity to visit global engineering group Sandvik’s experimental test mine in Tampere, Finland, to view the latest in technical developments and concept vehicle testing in hard rock underground mining.
“If you can drill here you can drill anywhere,” says Jani Vilenius, director of technology development and engineering services at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, referring to the granite rock at the mine. “It’s one of the ten hardest rocks in the world, making it an ideal test environment.”
Image credit: Louise Murray
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