Technology

The future of development drillingAs equipment manufacturers embrace automation and data-driven decision-making, development drilling at underground mines is becoming safer, greener and more efficient

As equipment manufacturers embrace automation and data-driven decision-making, development drilling at underground mines is becoming safer, greener and more efficient

By Nathan Munn

May 15, 2024

Sandvik’s DD422iE was the first battery-powered electric underground drill on the market. Courtesy of Sandvik

Today, automation is fundamentally transforming nearly every aspect of resource extraction, and development drilling is no exception. Artificial intelligence (AI), software automation and an increase in the use of machine-assisted human operations are rapidly changing the way underground mining projects are scoped, launched and completed, all with an eye to improving safety and increasing efficiency.

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