Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is launching a comprehensive update of the Pantera DPi series drill rigs this week at stand no. C2.149 at bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany. First previewed at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2024 in Las Vegas last September, the new Pantera DPi family provides an upgrade with higher uptime and efficiency, more meters and maximum comfort.
With more than 2,500 units delivered since 2008, the Pantera DPi family is the market leader in production top hammer drilling in open pit mines, particularly gold mines, in the 89-millimeter to 178-millimeter (3.5-inch to 7-inch) hole size range.
Leader in uptime and efficiency
The key components of the updated Pantera DPi family have been redesigned for higher reliability and availability. The rig can achieve extended maintenance intervals and longer service life, even in extreme heat or harsh Arctic conditions, thanks to the improved CSL lubrication system, leaf chain feed, stronger boom design, larger engine filters, drill heating system and heavy-duty accumulator. The new C9.3B Tier 3 engine greatly improves fuel economy by saving up to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per hour. Coupled with new digital functionalities of My Sandvik customer portal, including consumables logging, access to machine health statistics and drilling data, the updated Pantera DPi drill rigs help mine operators to achieve even higher productivity and more effective opex management.
Leader in meters
The heart of the updated Pantera DPi drill rigs is the new RD1700 rock drill family. These new rock drills bring with them an opportunity to prioritize penetration rate or lower fuel consumption, depending on the requirements of the job. At 25, 35 and 40 kilowatts of rated power and 15 percent more efficient conversion of hydraulic power to percussion energy, the rock drill family will boost productivity. The recommended rock tools, the new CT67 family, are optimized for higher penetration rates and more effective threading and unthreading.
The standard configuration of the new RD1700 rock drills ensures consistently optimal hammer strikes for easy collaring and predictable drilling behavior. This is due to the included patented active stabilizer, which autonomically adjusts damping control for perfect bit-to-rock contact. Further benefits include optimized feed force and consequently better hole straightness and quality. The active stabilizer also increases tool life by up to 40 percent, thanks to reduced heat generation and more easily opened thread couplings.
Furthermore, the RD1700 rock drills come with a new flushing head for easier maintenance and 50 percent faster shank changes. Thanks to the new lightweight components, shank changes are easier and safer. Another benefit of the improved design is a doubled lifetime of flushing head seals, causing fewer interruptions. The updated Pantera DPi family also includes the popular RockPulse system to optimize drilling.
Leader in comfort
The updated Pantera DPi will make the operator’s job easier and safer with a new cabin for lower noise and vibration levels, and the thicker front glass and solar layer in all glasses help to control heat and glare. Intelligent automation features, such as the iClean option, reduce the operator’s stress levels by offering an automatic sequence for easy and productive drilling through the overburden. Feed to tram automatics enable fast and easy transition from the drilling position to tramming position with a single button push.