Underground Mining Mechanization and Workforce Qualification for Ore Extraction
Sandvik partners with Orken LLP to modernize extraction infrastructure and train personnel for mechanized operations at the Western Karazhal underground mine. www.home.sandvik Orken LLP, the iron ore division of Qarmet JSC, has partnered with Sandvik Mining to convert underground extraction from manual development to a mechanized mining model at the Atasu operation within the Western Karazhal mine in Kazakhstan. The cooperative initiative integrates 27 specialized underground units with a structured workforce qualification program and lifecycle technical support. Operational Challenge and Scope of Cooperation Extracting iron and manganese ore using manual development techniques limits production throughput, operational consistency, and worker safety. Moving to mechanized mining addresses these constraints but requires industrial automation equipment alongside technical training for the existing workforce. Orken LLP provides the site infrastructure, operational planning, and personnel, while Sandvik provides the mobile machinery, consumables, simulator-based operator training, and field commissioning support. Equipment Architecture and Engineering Responsibilities Hauling and loading: 13 TH430 trucks, two TH320 trucks, five LH410 loaders, and one LH307 loader. Drilling and excavation: Three DL321 longhole drills, two DD311 development drills, and one Rhino 600 raise boring machine. Sandvik provides initial rock tools packages, 12 months of on-site technical support, and maintenance kits designed to support the first 5,000 operating hours for trucks and loaders, as well as the first 2,000 percussion hours for drilling rigs. Sandvik Financial Services provides capital equipment financing for the program. Implementation and Workforce Integration Fleet delivery begins in December 2026, extending through January 2028, with the raise boring unit scheduled for installation in June 2028. Sandvik engineers will support commissioning and ramp-up directly on site. To align mine operations with mechanized workflows, approximately 300 Orken employees will complete initial skills assessments, technical diagnostics coursework, machine systems maintenance training, and simulator-based modules for loader and drill operation. Industrial Applications and Expected Impact The system operates across all primary underground production phases: development drilling, production longhole drilling, automated mucking, hauling, and vertical shaft boring. Implementing mechanized units stabilizes daily output, reduces physical exposure to operational hazards, and ensures scheduled preventative maintenance. “Transitioning from manual development to mechanized mining is an important step in increasing the production and efficiency of our Western Karazhal operations,” stated Petr Trushin, Chairman of the Board of Qarmet JSC. Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI. www.mining.sandvik Powered by Induportals Media Publishing
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Sandvik partners with Orken LLP to modernize extraction infrastructure and train personnel for mechanized operations at the Western Karazhal underground mine.
www.home.sandvik
Orken LLP, the iron ore division of Qarmet JSC, has partnered with Sandvik Mining to convert underground extraction from manual development to a mechanized mining model at the Atasu operation within the Western Karazhal mine in Kazakhstan. The cooperative initiative integrates 27 specialized underground units with a structured workforce qualification program and lifecycle technical support.
Operational Challenge and Scope of Cooperation
Extracting iron and manganese ore using manual development techniques limits production throughput, operational consistency, and worker safety. Moving to mechanized mining addresses these constraints but requires industrial automation equipment alongside technical training for the existing workforce. Orken LLP provides the site infrastructure, operational planning, and personnel, while Sandvik provides the mobile machinery, consumables, simulator-based operator training, and field commissioning support.
Equipment Architecture and Engineering Responsibilities
- Hauling and loading: 13 TH430 trucks, two TH320 trucks, five LH410 loaders, and one LH307 loader.
- Drilling and excavation: Three DL321 longhole drills, two DD311 development drills, and one Rhino 600 raise boring machine.
Sandvik provides initial rock tools packages, 12 months of on-site technical support, and maintenance kits designed to support the first 5,000 operating hours for trucks and loaders, as well as the first 2,000 percussion hours for drilling rigs. Sandvik Financial Services provides capital equipment financing for the program.
Implementation and Workforce Integration
Fleet delivery begins in December 2026, extending through January 2028, with the raise boring unit scheduled for installation in June 2028. Sandvik engineers will support commissioning and ramp-up directly on site.
To align mine operations with mechanized workflows, approximately 300 Orken employees will complete initial skills assessments, technical diagnostics coursework, machine systems maintenance training, and simulator-based modules for loader and drill operation.
Industrial Applications and Expected Impact
The system operates across all primary underground production phases: development drilling, production longhole drilling, automated mucking, hauling, and vertical shaft boring. Implementing mechanized units stabilizes daily output, reduces physical exposure to operational hazards, and ensures scheduled preventative maintenance.
“Transitioning from manual development to mechanized mining is an important step in increasing the production and efficiency of our Western Karazhal operations,” stated Petr Trushin, Chairman of the Board of Qarmet JSC.
Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.
www.mining.sandvik
Implementation and Workforce Integration
Fleet delivery begins in December 2026, extending through January 2028, with the raise boring unit scheduled for installation in June 2028. Sandvik engineers will support commissioning and ramp-up directly on site.
To align mine operations with mechanized workflows, approximately 300 Orken employees will complete initial skills assessments, technical diagnostics coursework, machine systems maintenance training, and simulator-based modules for loader and drill operation.
Industrial Applications and Expected Impact
The system operates across all primary underground production phases: development drilling, production longhole drilling, automated mucking, hauling, and vertical shaft boring. Implementing mechanized units stabilizes daily output, reduces physical exposure to operational hazards, and ensures scheduled preventative maintenance.
“Transitioning from manual development to mechanized mining is an important step in increasing the production and efficiency of our Western Karazhal operations,” stated Petr Trushin, Chairman of the Board of Qarmet JSC.
Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.
www.mining.sandvik
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