The rig was tested last fall in eastern Finland with results that reportedly reveal it to be one of the most effi cient surface drill rigs made by the company. Fuel consumption was far below initial targets. The rig’s penetration rate was up to 50% greater than what is attainable with conventional down the hole (DTH) rigs, hitting more than 1 m per minute with a 165-mm bit, the company said. The test site is the Northern Hemisphere’s largest source of apatite, which is ranked five of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.

The optimization of the rig’s 328 kilowatt (kW) engine power combined the patented COPROD drilling technique for high penetration and accuracy make for an advantageous rig, the company reported. The SmartROC CL is 40.8 ft long by 8.2 ft wide by 11.6 ft high and weighs 52,910 lb.
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