Sandvik Rotary Geo turns drilling data into rock insights
Sandvik’s Rotary Geo software interprets data from rotary blasthole drills to identify changes in rock hardness, helping mining teams make more informed planning, drilling and blasting decisions.
This image presents the drilling data derived Specific Energy (SE) results from five rotary drill holes composited to 0.5 m intervals (configurable value).
Available for Sandvik’s i-series rotary drills equipped with TIM3D navigation, Rotary Geo combines an onboard analysis algorithm with the iLink Data Interface. The software uses data generated during drilling and requires no additional hardware on these drills.
This image indicates consistently higher Specific Energy values. This indicates that substantially more energy was required to break the rock during drilling, suggesting significantly harder rock conditions.
Rotary Geo records drilling parameters as each hole advances and calculates specific energy, the energy consumed per unit volume of rock drilled. This provides an indicator of relative rock hardness, helping teams understand variations in ground conditions.
Teams can use the information to adjust drilling parameters, refine blast designs and assess explosive loading. Mining engineers can also incorporate the results into planning and design.
The included iLink Data Interface enables customers to access and download results on a hole-by-hole basis immediately after drilling. This is particularly useful where blasting crews need rock information quickly to inform loading decisions.
This image combines both areas into a single view and clearly illustrates the contrast between the two identified hardness domains.
Rotary Geo was developed in collaboration with a mining customer operating in conditions where significant groundwater required explosive charges to be placed rapidly after drilling. The site needed detailed rock information within the limited time available before loading.
During development testing, the customer’s geology team verified the algorithm’s interpretation of rock hardness. The findings helped refine the site’s understanding of ground conditions, identifying softer rock in an area previously expected to be hard and harder rock in another area expected to contain mixed conditions.
Rotary Geo provides georeferenced data, linking the results to their locations, and onboard visualization to help operators assess changing rock conditions and adjust drilling parameters.
For larger datasets covering complete drill patterns, customers can use the compatible My Sandvik Onsite platform and access Rotary Geo data through its database.
For further information, please contact:
Anu Niittynen
Product Line Manager - Digitalization, Rotary Drilling
Sandvik
Email: anu.niittynen@sandvik.com