Surface mining equipment

Open-pit mining is used to extract mineral deposits located close to the earth’s surface. The orebody is accessed from the surface by removing overlying material (or overburden) in a series of stepped benches, allowing large volumes of rock and ore to be drilled, blasted and transported efficiently. This method is widely used for large, low-grade deposits where high production rates and economies of scale are required. Open-pit mining is commonly used to extract copper, gold, iron ore and other base and precious metals, as well as certain industrial minerals.

Sandvik supports these operations with a powerful portfolio of rotary blasthole drill rigs such as the DR410i and DR416iE, engineered for productivity and low cost per meter. With features like onboard automation, advanced drilling controls, and telematics integration through My Sandvik Insight™, operators can optimize performance and monitor equipment remotely. Sandvik’s digital solutions, including AutoMine® Surface Drilling, further enhance safety and uptime by enabling autonomous operation in high-risk zones.

Quarrying is a method used to extract construction materials and industrial minerals from near-surface deposits. Unlike open-pit mining, which typically targets large-scale metal ore deposits, quarrying focuses on materials such as limestone, granite, aggregates, sand, gypsum and dimension stone that are used in construction, infrastructure and industrial processes. Operations are usually smaller in scale and located close to the markets they supply.

While quarrying and open-pit mining use similar techniques, such as drilling, blasting, loading and hauling, quarries generally produce high-volume, lower-value materials and often require precise blasting and cutting to maintain product quality and meet size specifications.

Sandvik offers robust top hammer drill rigs like the Pantera™ DP1100i and Ranger™ DXi series, which deliver high penetration rates and excellent hole accuracy in quarry environments. These rigs are known for their stability, mobility, and advanced automation options that streamline drilling workflows. Additionally, Sandvik rock tools and digital drilling analytics help maximize output while reducing tool wear, making quarrying operations more cost-efficient and sustainable.

Strip mining is a technique used to extract mineral deposits located in horizontal seams close to the surface. The process involves removing the overburden in long strips to expose the resource beneath, typically progressing sequentially across the deposit. Once the mineral seam is removed, the overburden from the next strip is often used to backfill the previous excavation, allowing operations to move efficiently across large areas.

Strip mining is most commonly used to extract coal, lignite and certain industrial minerals, particularly where deposits occur in relatively flat, laterally continuous seams. Compared with open-pit mining, strip mining generally follows long, shallow deposits rather than deep orebodies, and operations advance horizontally rather than expanding downward into a large pit.

Sandvik supports strip mining with a suite of down-the-hole (DTH) drill rigs such as the Leopard™ DI650i, built for consistent performance in both overburden removal and blast hole drilling. These rigs are complemented by iDrill features which improve fuel efficiency, drilling precision, and overall productivity. Combined with Sandvik’s automation-ready platforms and remote monitoring capabilities, strip mining operations benefit from improved safety and reduced operational costs.

Highwall mining is a surface-based mining method used to recover additional coal or mineral resources from a deposit exposed in a highwall, typically at the final face of an open pit or strip mine. The method involves driving horizontal entries into the exposed seam using remotely operated or automated equipment, allowing material to be extracted without the need for personnel to enter the excavation. This approach enables resource recovery beyond the economic or geotechnical limits of conventional surface mining.

Highwall mining is most commonly applied to coal deposits, although it can also be used in certain soft-rock mineral applications where seams are laterally continuous. Sandvik supports these operations with intelligent drilling and bench preparation using rigs like the Leopard™ DI650i. Our equipment ensures clean and accurate pre-split holes along the highwall, improving structural stability. Sandvik’s geotechnical monitoring systems, combined with remote fleet management tools, help operators maintain control over equipment performance and wall integrity in high-risk conditions.