Byrnecut selects automated Sandvik loaders and drills for Kathleen Valley

Sandvik will supply Byrnecut with seven Toro^TM LH621i loaders with AutoMine^®, three Sandvik DD422i development drills with Dual Controls and a Sandvik DS422i cable bolter. The equipment order was primarily booked in 3Q23. Sandvik will also supply Byrnecut with rock tools for the operation over four years.

The deal follows Liontown Resources awarding Byrnecut the AUS$1 billion contract for development and production at the mine in August 2023. The Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia’s northern Goldfields region is one of the most significant new long-life lithium projects anywhere in the world. Byrnecut is investing AUS$125 million in new equipment for the project, with mobilisation beginning in 3Q23 and first production is targeted for mid-2024.

“Byrnecut and Sandvik have a long history of collaboration on projects across the country and we’re delighted that Byrnecut is once again investing significantly in Sandvik equipment and rock tools for this major project,” said Wayne Scrivens, Vice President, Sales Area Australia and New Zealand, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “This deal highlights the growing understanding across the Australian mining sector that Sandvik’s advanced solutions help mines run safer, more efficiently, and more sustainably.”

Sandvik’s Toro LH621i underground loaders are engineered for rapid mine development and large-scale underground production. Smart boom geometry optimises hydraulic power for fast bucket filling and the handling of large rocks. Under AutoMine Multi-Lite, an operator can remotely control and simultaneously supervise multiple Toro LH621i loaders from a comfortable environment, reducing exposure to dust, noise, vibrations, and other mine hazards. This creates a safer work environment for both the operator and mine personnel.

When used in combination with Sandvik’s Dual Controls package, Sandvik DD422i face drills can be used for a wide variety of underground applications, including boring, bolting, and meshing. The package improves drill optimisation, versatility, and performance, and was designed to address needs identified by mining contractors.

Sandvik will also provide Byrnecut premium rock tools, as well as a range of added services and digital solutions to support its drilling operations. The deal will also include carbide recycling, with Sandvik’s Carbide Recycling Programme helping both the OEM and the wider industry to meet circularity goals and ensure raw materials are used efficiently and sustainably.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/product-news/28112023/byrnecut-selects-automated-sandvik-loaders-and-drills-for-kathleen-valley/