Sandvik Unveiled New Battery-Powered Mining Drill
The DD423iE model features upgraded battery capacity and enhanced drilling performance for deep-mine operations.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Sandvik has released the DD423iE underground development drill, which incorporates battery-boosted technology to improve performance in power-constrained environments. The new machine succeeds the 2016 DD422iE and offers significant gains in both drilling productivity and tramming speed.
Why it matters
As mining operations reach greater depths, they face increasing grid power infrastructure constraints. This new battery-boosted technology allows operators to maintain drilling pace and productivity even when electrical grid capacity is reduced.
The DD423iE utilizes a 180 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, marking an 80% improvement in battery drilling performance over the prior generation. It also provides an 18% increase in drilling productivity and a 30% enhancement in tramming speed.
The players
Sandvik
This global engineering group specializes in equipment, tools, and services for the mining and rock excavation industries.
Agnico Eagle
This major gold producer operates the Kittilä mine in Finland where the DD423iE drill was field tested.
The details
The DD423iE features new SB75i booms with double rollovers, providing 0.5 meters of additional extension compared to the previous SB60i booms. The system uses reserve power from its batteries to bridge grid capacity gaps, while an automated navigation module employs on-board scanners to determine precise machine location.
Timeline
Sandvik launched the original DD422iE electric drill in 2016.
The AutoMine Concept Underground Drill was showcased in late 2022.
Sandvik held the Future of Mining event in September 2026.
Roadmap
The transition to the DD423iE highlights a broader industry shift toward high-capacity battery-electric vehicles to solve power infrastructure challenges in deep-underground mining. This move strengthens the company's position against competitors by prioritizing autonomous navigation and machine learning integrations.
Mining operators can expect improved drilling efficiency and reduced face time during shift changes due to the new automated features. The increased tramming range and speed allow for more versatile deployment of equipment across varying incline conditions within mine networks.
The takeaway
The move toward battery-boosted drilling reflects a shift toward electrified, autonomous machinery in the mining sector. Operators should evaluate their existing grid infrastructure to determine if these high-capacity battery systems can replace traditional power-intensive drilling methods.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by International Mining.
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