Automated Resin Bolting Systems for Underground Mining Safety and Productivity

Sandvik has integrated specialized drilling rigs, chemical injection systems, and mechanical bolt portfolios to create a unified ground support solution for underground mining operations.  www.home.sandvik The integration of automated resin bolting technology addresses the critical requirement for consistent rock reinforcement in variable geological conditions. By combining pumpable resin systems and capsule injection hardware with digital control interfaces, this end-to-end approach enables mining operations to transition toward a more secure digital supply chain for ground support consumables while reducing manual intervention in high-risk zones. Automated Resin Delivery and Control Mechanisms The technical core of the system relies on the integration of hardware and chemical engineering. For development and production drilling, the Sandvik DD422i, DS412i, and DS512i rigs utilize pumpable resin systems and the Automatic Resin Capsules Injection System (ARI). These systems move the resin handling process from the tunnel face to a sealed, machine-controlled environment. The ARI system facilitates ground-level loading and automated capsule insertion into the borehole. This mechanism allows the operator to remain within the protected cabin while the system executes the injection sequence. By automating the resin dosing and mixing stages, the system ensures that the chemical properties — specifically the curing times and expansion ratios — remain consistent across every installed bolt. This process consistency is verified through the equipment's onboard control interface, which monitors injection pressure and volume. Material Science and Chemical Compatibility To accommodate varying rock mass ratings and stress environments, the automotive data ecosystem principles of precision and traceability are applied to the chemical consumables. The Mineral Bolt urea-silicate resin provides a two-component chemical bond with adjustable setting times. This flexibility allows site engineers to calibrate the support cycle based on the immediate deformation characteristics of the rock. For applications requiring mechanical capsules, the Fasloc range is utilized alongside the DSI Hollow Bar System. The hollow bar technology allows for simultaneous drilling and grouting in friable ground where borehole collapse is a risk. By pairing specific bolt geometries, such as self-drilling or dynamic bolts, with dedicated resin formulations, the system achieves a measurable increase in load-bearing capacity compared to manual or non-integrated installation methods. Operational Safety and Cycle Efficiency The transition to an integrated resin bolting package results in quantifiable gains in operational safety and cycle speed. Removing manual chemical handling eliminates operator exposure to resins and catalysts, which are often irritants or hazardous materials. Furthermore, the ability to perform resin injection and curing from the cabin reduces the time personnel spend under unsupported ground. Productivity is improved through the synchronization of high-capacity onboard resin storage and automated cycle management. Because the system manages the mixing and injection phases without manual pausing, the overall bolting cycle time is reduced. This technical integration ensures that the ground support phase — often a bottleneck in underground development — aligns more closely with the speed of automated drilling and blasting sequences. Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI. www.mining.sandvik Powered by Induportals Media Publishing