The Sandvik 1175E is an electric-powered rotary blasthole drill designed to improve safety and performance in markets that are often challenged by tough drilling conditions and ineffective domestic equipment.

Designed specifically for the emerging Asia-Pacific region, Sandvik recognized a market for an efficient, low-cost, electric powered rotary blasthole drill and developed the 1175E as an adaptation of its D75KS rig.

The drill can be operated by a single person and, according to Sandvik, it delivers increased productivity, particularly while drilling overburden soft rock and hard rock found in coal mining.

In December 2012, the first 1175E rig was delivered from Sandvik’s Jiading facility to Chongqing Iron & Steel Group’s Taihe iron ore mine just outside of Xichang City, China.

The rig achieved 90% machine availability and an average instantaneous penetration rate of 40m per hour in different geological conditions in the Taihe minesite.

Taihe mine deputy team leader Xiaobin Luo said the drill exceeded the mine’s performance expectations and performed more efficiently than the domestic drills used.

Sandvik said electric-powered drills were in high demand in Asia and offered several benefits over diesel-powered rigs, including lower operating and maintenance costs.

Additionally, electric drills generate a smaller environmental footprint than their diesel-powered counterparts because of the lack of carbon emissions.

“Our engineers at Sandvik’s Jiading facility have worked tirelessly alongside local customers and mining officials to bring to market an electric rotary drill that will enable mining companies operating in China to achieve enhanced safety, increased productivity and peace of mind,” Sandvik rotary and DTH drilling vice president Ken Staplyton said.

Other features include an automated cable reel rather than a manual one, which Sandvik said made mining safer and quicker.

It also includes a programmable logic controller system designed for complicated control functions, such as logic circuit control of regular relays, analog and digital control, calculation and comparison with input setup after data collection, proportional valve control and logic interlock control.