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    Sandvik Leopard DI610i DTH rig: cost and utilisation takeaways for mine engineers

    February 13, 2026|

    Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

    Sandvik Leopard DI610i DTH rig: cost and utilisation takeaways for mine engineers

    First reported on International Mining – News

    30 Second Briefing

    Sandvik is launching the Leopard DI610i, a down-the-hole surface drill rig for open-pit mines and contractors, covering a 115–203 mm (4½–8 in) hole size range. The i-series platform targets high utilisation and rapid operator on-boarding through advanced automation, digital drilling controls and an ergonomic cabin layout. Sandvik positions the DI610i to cut total cost of ownership versus previous Leopard rigs by optimising fuel use, consumable life and maintenance intervals, which will interest operations rationalising large DTH fleets.

    Technical Brief

    • Rig design targets open-pit benches where conventional top-hammer rigs struggle with deeper, straighter holes.

    Our Take

    The Leopard DI610i’s 115–203 mm DTH hole range sits squarely in the production drilling sweet spot for large open pits, and when combined with Sandvik’s new RG550Be resharpening machine (launched 10 February 2026) it signals a push to lock in the full drill–bit value chain for mid‑range blasthole fleets.

    Recent moves by Sandvik to acquire ThoroughTec Simulation and integrate it into Parts and Services suggest that rigs like the DI610i are likely to be backed by OEM-grade simulator training, which can materially improve utilisation and reduce learning-curve damage on high-spec DTH equipment.

    Across the 1,026 Mining stories in our database, Sandvik features frequently in product-led pieces, and the clustering of multiple drill and training tool launches in February 2026 points to a coordinated refresh aimed at higher-automation, service-heavy contracts rather than standalone equipment sales.

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    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

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