Sandvik Tamrock plans to introduce a new range of underground drill rigs by end 2001. Traditionally, 60% of turnover at Sandvik Mining & Construction is from mining. However, contraction in this sector has led to a re-focus on civil tunnelling, so bigger, faster rigs are to be introduced under the ‘Axera’ name, with more sophisticated instrumentation and component standardisation.
"We are number 2 in tunnelling and we see this as a major opportunity," said Ari Jaakonmöki, general manager for Underground Drills at Sandvik Tamrock.
The first new jumbo, a 3-boom unit, will be the largest in the new range and will be launched at next year’s Intermat exhibition in Paris.