Author: Jari Silver

Tunnelling the New Rail Line from Bhanupali – Bilaspur to Beri

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit is supplying forepoling systems and MIPL casings for tunnel roof support to RVNL project Bhanupali – Bilaspur – Beri New Rail Line project.

The Bhanupali – Bilaspur – Beri New Rail Line project is being constructed with NATM method. The project is located in Himachal Pradesh. There are in total 7 tunnels being constructed from Bhanupali – Bilaspur – Beri. The government has also further plan to extend this broad-gauge line till leh via Kullu-Manali. The project has been awarded to Max Infra (I) Limited at ₹ 435 crore. The total length of the tunnel is 3.5 km. The geology consists mainly of sand, stone and soft rock. The contractor has till date completed 1200 metres tunnel by mainly using 114.3 mm Robit forepoling systems together with MIPL casings. The project is running smoothly. The contractor is using 6 Epiroc Drill Jumbos to install the forepoling at different tunnel faces. The contractor is achieving a daily advancement of 3 metres.

Contractor: Max Infra (I) Limited

NH21 Project is Running Smoothly with Robit’s Products

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit is supplying forepoling systems and MIPL casings for tunnel roof supporting, and rock drilling consumables for face drilling to NHAI (NH21) project.

The 4 laning road of NH21 stretches from Pandoh Bypass to Takoli section in Himachal Pradesh. The project worth of ₹ 2600 crore will reduce time and traffic as well as streamline movement of vehicle from Delhi to Leh. The project started in March 2018. The tunnel network of 21-kilometres consists of 10 tunnels, out of which 5 tunnels totaling 15 km have been completed.

The project is being constructed by Afcons Infrastructure Limited. The geology consists mainly of Class D (more than 50%). Robit is supplying forepoling systems together with MIPL casings  of 76.1 mm for roof supporting. The Robit consumables have been found successful in making tunnels. The project is currently running smoothly and expected to be completed by next year.

Through its distributor MIPL, Robit has also tested rock drilling consumables, which have also proved to be successful by achieving more lifetime in terms of meterage compared to other brand products. Now most of the rock drilling consumables of this project are provided by Robit. Additionally, the economical products increase customer satisfaction.

Contractor: Afcons Infrastructure Limited

Buiding Up the Longest Tunnel in India

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit is supplying forepoling systems and MIPL casings  for tunnel roof supporting, and rock drilling consumables for face drilling to RVNL Package – 5.

The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Railway runs from Yog Nagari Rishikesh railway station in Rishikesh to Karnaprayag. The ₹16,200 crore project will shorten travel time from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag from 7 hours to ~2 hours. A 15-kilometre tunnel, reported to be the country’s longest, will be built between Devprayag and Lachmoli.

The proposed 125-kilometre stretch will have 12 stations, 17 tunnels and 35 bridges. The design consultancy contracts for tunnels are provided by Lombardi Engg, Yuksel, AECON.

The package 5 is being constructed by Navayuga Engineering Company Limited. It consists of 2 tunnels (Tunnel No. 9 & 10). Tunnel No. 9 from Laksh Moli to Maletha is 2.8 km and Tunnel No. 10 from Maletha to Rani Hatt is 4.1 km, including escape tunnels. The current geology found in both tunnels is RBM (soft rock with mixture of sand). The difficulties faced during forepoling and drilling were majorly due to RBM with big boulders of phyllite and quartize.

The NATM method is being used to construct the tunnel. Currently the daily advancement is 6 metres per day. We are proud to report that Robit forepoling systems together with MIPL casings  are approved at RVNL and are being successfully used by the contractor.

Contractor: Navayuga Engineering Company Limited
Design Consultancy: Lombardi Engg, Yuksel, AECON

Robit® DTH Steel Fist – Proven Quality Worldwide

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit® Steel Fist product family is designed for specific piling operations, sizes from 273 mm up to 1524 mm. New economic way for traditional piling work, but also capable for installing water-proof Pipe-Pile-Walls. No ring bit is needed when piling with DTH SF. Usage in homogenous soil conditions with small boulders. Robit® Steel Fist Casing Systems are available for all the common Down The Hole hammers and can be used for all applications where the casing is left in the ground, but have been especially designed for piling single piles and Pipe-Pile-Walls.

Robit DTH SF Concentric overburden drilling systems offer:

  • Superior speed
  • Reliability over the traditional drilling methods
  • Save on overall drilling costs
  • Available for casing sizes: 273-1524 mm / 10¾”- 60”

Please download the brochure: Robit® DTH SF

Constant Product and Performance Improvement as a Result of Seamless Cooperation Between Robit, Distributor and Customer in United Arab Emirates

Posted on by Jari Silver

Stevin Rock LLC is one of the largest quarrying companies in the world, operating in the Middle East, on limestone, dolomite and gabbro minerals. Stevin Rock LLC produces over 80 million tons of the above minerals each year, drilling at the same time over 1.5 million meters.

After stringent trials with multiple competitor products over months, Robit products were found to have the least cost per meter in operations. Thus, the first contract was signed in 2017 for 2 years. After consistent performance for these 2 years and once again testing all competitor products, Robit was again found to have the most competitive performance. Robit was once again awarded the contract for the next two years covering 2019 and 2020. During these periods 2017 to 2020, Robit has been continuously improving its products based on customer feedback. As a result, Robit products have been regularly improved repeatedly.

Robit has also conducted regular drill master visits as well as conducted regular classes for Operators and Mechanics on optimum parameters for getting the best life of the product.

A combination of timely product evolution, regular training, visits of Drill Masters, 100% on time delivery and zero down time loss on account of product performance had contributed to the success of the product.

Robit is represented by Deltacorp Global FZE in the United Arab Emirates. They export to over 15 countries and operate from 2 warehouses in Duty Free Zone, in UAE.

Case report by: Bharadwaj Ventaraman, Manager, Deltacorp Global FZE and James Keenan, Distributor Business Manager, Middle East and Turkey, Robit Group

Strong Co-Operation with Amak, the Pioneer Mining Company of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Posted on by Jari Silver

Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co (AMAK) is the pioneer private mining company of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, producing copper, zinc in concentrate as well as gold and silver in doré since 2012.

Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co (AMAK) is the pioneer private mining company of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, producing copper, zinc in concentrate as well as gold and silver in doré since 2012.

The main mining camp (Al Masane) is in the southwest region (Najran) of Saudi Arabia at an elevation of 1620 mRL and approximately 640 km southeast to Jeddah. AMAK is committed to establish and sustain the highest safety standards with a zero-harm target and international best practice environmental standards with zero discharge to ambient environment. AMAK’s motto is “Every Incident Is Preventable”.

AMAK is continuously seeking investing in mining opportunities in the KSA and the region, including East African countries. Exploration continues at its nearby concessions as well as deeper levels of Al Masane and Guyan orebodies, which are still wide open at depth and extensions, with additional satellite pit development opportunities at Al Masane, Guyan and Al Aqiq mineralization zones.

AMAK is using Robit’s drilling consumables for face development, ground support and DTH drilling for underground operations. Robit consumables are performing well and thus, getting positive feedback from AMAK: “We are satisfied and happy for working with Robit. We appreciate the full support during the contract meaning quick responses for deliveries and shipping as well as providing technical services support in case of any problem”.

Case report by: Kadir Uslu, Drill & Blast Engineer, Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co and James Keenan, Distributor Business Manager, Middle East and Turkey, Robit Group

Photo: Jumbo Operators, Mr. Mustafa Tufekci and Mr. Roger Junas

ROBIT SUPPLYING DRILLING CONSUMABLES FOR THE BIGGEST COPPER MINING COMPANY IN TURKEY, ETI BAKIR A.S.

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit is supplying rock drilling consumables for face drilling, long hole drilling, ground supporting operations for underground mines as well as surface drilling for open pit mines for ETI Bakir A.S. in Turkey. The consumables are being supplied by Robit’s distributor, Guris Is Makinalari Endustri A.S.

Guris Is Makinalari Endustri A.S. and ETI Bakir A.S. made a contract for supplying Top Hammer drilling tools and as a result, the first shipment was MADE during the first quarter of 2020. Guris Is Makinalari Endustri A.S. supplements Robit quality and good performance by giving the best after-sales, shipping, and technical services support for the valued customer.

ETI Bakir A.S., which was operated by state from 1930’s to 2004, is the biggest copper mining company in Turkey. ETI Bakir A.S. was incorporated into Cengiz Holding in 2004 and the company carries on production activities by growing up day by day within the structure of Cengiz Holding.

ETI Bakir A.S. is operating both on several Turkish mine sites as well as abroad. In addition to this, the biggest smelter and electrolysis plant in Turkey is being operated by ETI Bakir A.S. in Samsun City. The company is known for nature conservation while operating on the mine sites. – These mines are operating fully mechanized with the newest technologies.

 

Case report by:

Ahmet Oğuz Dikmen, Mining Equipments Service Engineer, Guris Construction Machineries Industry Co Inc

James Keenan, Distributor Business Manager, Middle East and Turkey, Robit Group

 

Photo:

Caner Topal, Drilling & Blasting Engineer, ETI Bakir A.S.

Ahmet Oğuz Dikmen, Mining Equipments Service Engineer, Guris Construction Machineries Industry Co Inc

Tayfun Kabaloglu, Mine Captain, ETI Bakir A.S.

 

ROBIT PERFORMING WELL IN HARD ROCK FORMATION IN SOHAR, OMAN

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit is supplying consumables for gabbro quarrying in Sohar, Oman. The tools are being supplied by Robit’s distributor, Pioneers For Mining.

Robit consumables are performing well in the hard rock formation, in the North Oman, and thus, getting positive feedback from the customer. The gabbro quarries are one of the toughest and challenging areas among Oman rock formation.

Despite the current travel restrictions, the seamless cooperation between Robit, Pioneers For Mining and the customer including continuous follow-up on Robit product quality and support, enables a strong sales development in Sohar region. 

Facts – Gabbro Quarry in Sohar, Oman 

Machine: Furukawa HCR 1200

Rock Formation: Hard and Abrasive

Button Bit Size: C45–89mm

Excellent performance with Robit button bit in Turkey

Posted on by Jari Silver

On July 2020, Robit’s Turkish distributor Guris Is Makinaları Endustri A.S. organized a drilling test at Ozkoyuncu open pit iron mine. The head-to-head test between Robit and globally well-known brand.

The test was conducted on a Sandvik DX800 Ranger with an HL700 drifter. The testing conditions were identical for each brand. The procedure was a simple wear test: To measure how deep each tool will be able to drill without sharpening or replacing. The ground condition is quite difficult and abrasive. It contains high quartzite and silica rate is around 90%. There is fragmented rock, water and spacing in ground.

We are happy to report the results. Robit C51-102 mm drop center spherical bit completed the service life at 1269 meters and this result is 300 meters better than competitor’s same design bit. Given the rock quality at mine site this is an excellent result. Customer confirmed that Robit bit were superior to the other well-known brands’ consumables.

Test Location: Ozkoyuncu Open Pit Iron Mine, Kayseri/TURKEY
Test Dates: Jul 09-14, 2020
Test Objective: Measuring performance of Robit C51-102 mm bit vs. other well known drilling consumable brand.
Reported by: Ahmet Oguz Dikmen, Mining Equipments Service Engineer at Güriş İş Makinaları Endüstri A.Ş.

 

Underwater drilling with Robit® Hyper 31 Hammer in Paracas, Peru

Posted on by Jari Silver

Sub aquatic application drilling with Hyper 31 and DTH bit 90 mm

Robit contributes to the development of infrastructure in Paracas, Peru. Average depth of drilling is 14 m below the sea level and actual drilling is 12 m into the bedrock. The Robit® Hyper 31 showed the best performance in rate of penetration, considering the air volume and pressure delivered by the compressor.

Please see the drilling video:  Drilling with Hyper 31 and DTH bit 90 mm

Robit® DTH Prime (DT)

Posted on by Jari Silver

Durable piling solutions for demanding conditions

Robit® DTH Prime products allow you to drill both threaded and welded casing tubes with the same ring bit. Fitting and welding are made easy with a pile coupling structure, while the ring bit carry capacity is guaranteed.

New improvements and updates:

  • Optimized measurements and flushing properties
  • New bigger sizes available 52”, 56” and 60”
  • Pressed casing shoe up to 609,6 mm sizes > reliable, robust structure

Including also all the other brilliant properties:

  • Heavy duty integrated ring system
  • Available for casing sizes 114–1524 mm / 4½”- 60”
  • All wall thicknesses covered with same ring
  • Standard, flow control and drill through pilot compatible with same ring
  • High load bearing
  • Spiral locking for easy connection
  • Easy fitting and welding
  • Possibility to drill both threaded and welded casing tubes with the same ring bit

Please download the brochure: Robit® DTH Prime Products

Robit Heavy Duty Consumables for Challenging Mining & Quarrying Operations

Posted on by Jari Silver

At the Robit Group, the focus is on drilling – Further. Faster.

Robit consumables are designed to provide the end user with the most productive and cost effective drilling regardless of commodity being drilled.

The company recognizes that productive, cost-effective drilling is influenced by mother nature, driller capability, preventive maintenance and drill consumable selection and quality.

Robit’s focus is ensuring that end users get the right tools, knowledge and support for their operations. The product is backed up by a large global network, expert support and cutting-edge Sense technology.

Please read the full article from the Australian Mining Review magazine: The Importance of Buying Local

SUCCESSFUL TESTS CONDUCTED WITH ROBIT CONSUMABLES IN CHILE

Posted on by Jari Silver

Full Safety, the distributor of Robit Group, carried out a successful test with Robit consumables at El Teniente copper mine in Machalí, Chile. 

​The test was conducted for Jumbo drilling on a Tamrock Axera Jumbo with HLX5 drifter by using the following Robit consumables: R32x45S1 bits, HEX35 C38-R32 14′ drifter rod and coupling C38-C38.

The bits averaged out 315 meters without grinding. As for the drifter rod and couplings averaged out 1 724 meters. The meterage is always relative to the rock, the conditions of machinery and operator skills including pressure management.

Robit Part Numb​​er Description Meters
04-132-045-3805 HTG 32R45S 315
06D-07-0891 M/M Drifter Rod C38-HEX35-R32 4305 1 724
06E-07-0497 Coupling C38 D55 SB 1 724

 

As a result of the successful tests, Robit received a confirmation from the site contractor, Astaldi, that Robit consumables were superior compared to the other well-known brands’ consumables.

El Teniente is an underground copper mine in the Chilean commune of Machalí in Cachapoal Province, Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins Region, near the town of Sewell, 2 300 meters above mean sea level in the Andes.

Mining at El Teniente is reported to have started as early as 1819. Today, El Teniente is operated by the state-owned copper mining company CODELCO. With over 3 000 kilometers of underground drifts, El Teniente is reported as the world’s largest underground copper mine. ​

Excellent job from our Robit SAC colleagues, and our distributor in Chile!

Robit® SR Integrated Ring Bit System

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit has launched a cost-efficient integrated ring for large sacrificial casing, 508–1 524 mm / 20”–60”.

DTH SR products are economical and cost-effective in homogenous ground conditions where number and size of boulders are limited. One pilot design can be used to install both regular round piles and interlocked Pipe-Pile-Wall piles – just ring bits require different outside diameters. Robit® Solitary Ring Casing Systems are available for all common Down the Hole hammer designs and can be used in all applications where casing is left in the ground.

Please download the brochure: Robit® SR Integrated Ring Bit System

ROBIT HAS HAPPY CUSTOMERS

Posted on by Jari Silver

During January and February 2020, Robit conducted an end-user survey on various aspects of Robit drilling consumables and services. The survey was implemented over phone interviews including totally 93 interviews in Finland, Australia, Peru, South Africa and South Korea.

As the same survey was originally carried out in 2019, Robit received valuable information during this second round. – Our customers are happier than a year ago!

More and more customers would recommend Robit 

NPS (Net Promoter Score) rating has clearly improved and is now on a good level.

Results have improved clearly in Finland, South Korea and Australia. In South Africa and Peru NPS results are still on a good level. Especially, well drilling and quarrying customer satisfaction has improved.

CES (Customer Effort Score) rating has improved and it is on a very good level. It is easy to do business with Robit. 43 percent of the customers see that Robit serves currently better than 12 months ago. All Robit customers see now more improvements in service than a year ago.

Better product performance 

57 percent of the customers see that Robit products offer the best cost per meter on the market. Now there are more customers who see that Robit can offer value added services that drive down costs (78 percent). In Finland and Australia Robit product performance is now better than last year.

Improved support and reliability of supply 

What do our customers say about us:

  • Sales can be reached easily, and the equipment arrive in time.
  • Increased sales personnel have led to improved answers.
  • New organization structure with improved service – quick responses and good know-how.
  • Service and support, and especially management have improved a lot.
  • When placing an order, Robit staff responds immediately. Also, products performance has improved.
  • Robit’s ability of procurement has been improved.

End-user survey 2019 reveals the hard work and dedication of Robit Team Members. – Every Robit Team Member contributes to the success. Serving our customers and colleagues with speed and quality as well as driving positive change while respecting everyone are the key elements for the success. Robit Team is committed to work hard to constantly improve our customer service and experience.

“Further. Faster”.

Remote Drillmaster Service – At Your Service!

Posted on by Jari Silver

We as a Robit Team are doing our best to support our valued customers in the best way we can also during this exceptional period.

As a part of our overall service, via Remote Drillmaster Service, our Drillmaster professionals are here to support our customers in their urgent technical inquiries as a solution to limited travelling during the corona pandemic. Our specialists are ready to help with troubleshoot, testing, product support and guidance.

We are eagerly working at Robit to stay as close as we can with our valued customers by using existing tools and possibilities.

Further information: Jorge Leal, Director, Global Sales, jorge.leal@robitgroup.com, +358 40 487 8154.

Stay healthy!

Three Production Records in a Row

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit Korea has made a production record for three consecutive months February–April 2020 together as a Robit Team during this exceptional period.

Robit Korea is one of the major manufacturing facilities in Robit Group. Therefore, Robit Korea has taken strong actions to secure the safety and health of its Team Members as well as to ensure continuity of the manufacturing and service of its valued Robit customers.

A great thank to Robit Korea Team – every Team Member has contributed during this very hard time.

We keep on rolling – greetings from Robit Korea!

JAMES KEENAN – AT THE THRESHOLD OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK

Posted on by Jari Silver

James Keenan started his usual business trip in beginning of March, however ending up in a curfew in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for two months. This is a story of a Robit Hero.

James Keenan, Business Development Manager of EMEA-S, is in a hotel located in mountains of Cyprus. The atmosphere is relaxing – the birds are singing in the background and the surroundings are covered with plenty of verdant trees. Who would have guessed that behind this beautiful scene is a long journey starting from a usual business trip turning into a two-month isolation in Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19 restrictions and finally reaching the last stage of a 14-day quarantine imposed by Cyprian government before finally returning home on 12th May 2020.

James Keenan started his usual business trip on 9th March as he went to meet business partners of Robit in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the world was at the threshold of COVID-19 outbreak. During the next few days and hours, the whole world went under lockdown country after another. – The planned return date of James Keenan on 16th March was also cancelled.

James Keenan managed to book a flight back to Cyprus for 19th March. However, as Saudi Arabia closed its borders for the time being, the alternative flight was also cancelled. “When the first flight was cancelled, I was disappointed, but then, after second and third cancellations, I accepted the fact that there was nothing to get angry about. As the pandemic was worldwide and human lives were lost every day, cancelling a flight was a minor issue compared to the suffering of other people”, states James Keenan. Overall, James Keenan went over six attempts to return home – all of them were cancelled.

During those seven weeks, James Keenan observed a strict daily schedule working from 8.00 am until 4.00 pm without any distractions. During working hours, he communicated intensively with his regional Robit partners and thus, maintained his normal working routines. The hard work spawned few good orders for Robit. One of them was a-two-year contract to supply drilling tools to Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co (AMAK) in Saudi Arabia for their underground jumbo rigs. The tools are supplied by Robit’s distributor, Bin Harkhil.

The most difficult times came up during free time. “I felt heavy, but once again, I just needed to accept the fact that I had no choice, but to stay calm”, James Keenan recalls. Having regular Skype calls with his family, James Keenan was reassured that his family was in a good health and that the period was temporary.

During curfew in Jeddah, James Keenan was allowed for one-hour shopping between 6.00 am and 3.00 pm each day. The local daily English newspaper and Arab media were keeping up daily information regarding COVID-19. Thus, it was easy to follow restrictions.

The light at the end of the tunnel appeared, as Cyprian government together with its embassy in Riyadh and Saudi Arabian government started to coordinate an evacuation flight for Cypriots. Altogether 60 Cypriot passengers from Jeddah and Riyadh were successfully flown to Larnaca, Cyprus on 27th April. All the passengers were directed through corona test to a two-week quarantine.

James Keenan is one of the Cypriots, who is now in quarantine. A week is behind, another one ahead. “I look forward to seeing my family and having a nice barbeque altogether”, James Keenan rejoices the upcoming homecoming.

We are glad to have James Keenan back in Cyprus safe and well.

Let’s take care of ourselves – and others!

Evacuation Flight – The Cyprus airways aircraft brought us home!

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU!

Posted on by Jari Silver

Robit provides the widest offering in top quality drilling consumables.

Robit is a strongly internationalized growth company servicing global customers and selling drilling consumables for applications in mining, construction and contracting, tunneling and well drilling. We are focusing on drilling consumables only (OPEX) in global market. Despite the current global situation with #Covid19, we answer your enquiries without delays, our deliveries from factories are uneffected and supply chain remains solid.

Find out more: Robit Consumables for Mining and Quarrying