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Our Equipment

Client Equipment – Maintained & Operated by SBD in West Africa

  • KWL 700 RC Rig 1
  • KWL 700 RC Rig 2
  • Maxidrill Dual Purpose Rig 1
  • Maxidrill Dual Purpose Rig 2

The Atlas Copco Explorac 220RC drill rig is the newest, safest and most advanced RC drill rig on the market today. This brand new rig commenced operations with SBD (the launch customer) in March 2005.

The Explorac 220RC incorporates high onboard air capacity (1050cfm@450psi), giving the flexibility of drilling to much greater depths before the need for boosters and auxiliary’s.

Drilling equipmentDrilling equipment

Its Safety features are unparalleled and they include:

  • Remote drillers console (driller can operate the rig safely at a distance of up to 15m). Console incorporates full engine and compressor diagnostics along with a Safety lock-out system

  • 82dba@7metres noise suppression

  • Full length under body hydro carbons spillage tray

  • All hi-pressure plumbing mounted under deck

  • CAT C-16 deck engine rated to Euro 2 and Euro 3 emissions levels

  • KL Rod Handler

  • SDS Ausminco Fire Suppression system

  • Dump mast

  • Rigs are mounted on new Mercedes Benz or MAN 8 x 8 prime movers; road registered, no low loaders required to move on registered roads

  • All SBD trucks are speed limited to 90km/h

  • Support truck incorporates both fuel and water for drilling requirements (4,500lts each)

  • Also mounted on new Mercedes Benz or MAN 8 x 8 prime mover

  • Booster: Hurricane 6T rated to <2250cfm@1000psi

  • Auxiliary Compressor: Atlas Copco XRVS 466 rated to 960cfm@365psi (74dba@7metres noise suppression)

  • Light vehicle: Toyota Hilux 4x4 tray back with Satellite Phone (GSM & CDMA) and UHF radio communications



New standards in safety, efficiency and ergonomics

The Explorac 220RC is a ‘next generation’ RC drill rig that has been designed from the ground up using the latest materials, engines, compressors and hydraulic systems. The rig also utilizes the Atlas Copco ‘CANBUS’ electronic operating system. This enables the rig to be powered by a smaller, more fuel efficient engine with the utilization of “smart power”. The result is our rigs use a 630hp – 700hp deck engine, where our competitors require 860hp – 900hp engines to do the same job.

Up to 30% less fuel usage than our competitors rigs (when compared to V12 MTU powered Schramm T685WS or KWL700 RC drill rigs). SBD’s CAT C-18’s have a manufacturers fuel burn rating of 122lts p/h @ 1800rpm compared to 159lts p/h @ 1800rpm of the V12 MTU. A difference of approx 37lts/ph on the manufacturers specs. For deeper drilling, where auxiliary compressors are required, the fuel saving is also in the order of 30% (competitors Sullair units @107lts p/h vs. SBD’s Atlas Copco units @ 82lts p/h) giving a combined fuel saving of approx 62lts p/h. The reduced fuel burn of the SBD rigs and ancillary equipment has the potential to make significant cost savings over the length of a drill program.

New generation CAT engines exceed EURO III emission levels. The Explorac 220RC is powered by the latest generation electronic CAT C18 engine which exceeds Euro III emission standards. An intelligent engine management package linked with all other systems on the rig can adjust critical functions to provide optimum performance, reliability and fuel efficiency.

Double stage compressor. The Atlas Copco XRX 12 compressor is a new 450psi@1050cfm or 360psi@1260cfm two stage rotary screw compressor. Compact and lightweight, it is ideally rated for RC drilling and requires lower engine power than its competitors leading to significant fuel savings. Multiple connection points are provided for safe positioning of an auxiliary compressor and/or booster compressor. All pipe work associated with high pressure air is steel plumbed.

82dba@7metres Noise Suppression on all drill rigs (testing report available upon request). Explorac 220RC has a fully enclosed power pack and smart cooling fans reduce noise levels to industry best practice levels. The cooling system has been designed to provide optimum cooling in the most extreme conditions. Individual lightweight cooler elements are housed in a vibration free ’V’ module that gives easy access for cleaning and allows simple removal if required. Rated to 50° C ambient temperature, it has two variable speed fans that regulate according to system demands, thus reducing noise output and fuel consumption.

Remote Drillers operating console. Can be positioned up to 10m from the rig and places the driller out of the line of fire. The unique control panel is portable and rugged, providing unequalled operator safety and maximum visibility of the drilling and tool handling processes. The ergonomically designed, adjustable panel gives comfortable and precise control over all drilling, rod handling, sampling and rig management functions. The integrated display screen is clearly read in any conditions and shows all drilling information, parameters and warnings. It also monitors and displays all engine, compressor and hydraulic system information and service data. As the electronic control unit manages all functions, troubleshooting is simple.

Full length under body carbon spillage tray. Located under the rigs main components and running from the front to the rear of the power pack and coolers is a full length under body carbon spillage tray which captures any fluids from any unforeseen spills or hydraulic hose failures that may occur. This enables our crews to manage the problem effectively and ensure that the effects on the environment are minimized.


SBD1 (WA)    
Type: Atlas Copco Explorac 220RC  
Year of Manufacture: 2005  
Compressor: Atlas Copco XRV10 rated at 1050cfm@450psi  
Engine: CAT C-16 (630hp) EURO II  
Prime Mover: MAN 8x8  
Water Truck: MAN 8x8  
Booster/Auxiliary: Hurricane 6T (1800cfm@1000psi)/Atlas Copco XRVS466

SBD2 (WA)  
Type: Atlas Copco Explorac 220RC
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Compressor: Atlas Copco XRV10 rated at 1050cfm@450psi
Engine: CAT C-16 (630hp) EURO II
Prime Mover: Mercedes Benz Actros 8x8
Water Truck: Mercedes Benz Actros 8x8
Booster/Auxiliary: Hurricane 6T (2200cfm@1000psi)/Atlas Copco XRVS976

SBD3 (WA)  
Type: Atlas Copco Explorac 220RC
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Compressor: Atlas Copco XRX12 rated at 1250cfm@450psi
Engine: CAT C-18 (700hp) EURO III
Prime Mover: Mercedes Benz Actros 8x8
Water Truck: Mercedes Benz Actros 8x8
Booster/Auxiliary: Hurricane 6T (2400cfm@1000psi)/Atlas Copco XRVS476

SBD4 (West Africa)  
Type: Atlas Copco Explorac 220RC
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Compressor: Atlas Copco XRX12 rated at 1250cfm@450psi
Engine: CAT C-18 (700hp) EURO III
Prime Mover: Crawler Mounted
Water Truck: Crawler Mounted
Booster/Auxiliary: Hurricane 6T (2400cfm@1000psi)/Atlas Copco XRVS476

SBD5 (West Africa)  
Type: Atlas Copco Explorac 220RC
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Compressor: Atlas Copco XRX12 rated at 1250cfm@450psi
Engine: CAT C-18 (700hp) EURO III
Prime Mover: Crawler Mounted
Water Truck: Crawler Mounted
Booster/Auxiliary: Hurricane 6T (2400cfm@1000psi)/Atlas Copco XRVS476

SBD6 (WA)  
Type: Atlas Copco Explorac 220RC
Year of Manufacture: 2008 (expected delivery June)
Compressor: Atlas Copco XRX12 rated at 1250cfm@450psi
Engine: CAT C-18 (700hp) EURO III
Prime Mover: Mercedes Benz Actros 8x8
Water Truck: Mercedes Benz Actros 8x8
Booster/Auxiliary: Hurricane 6T (2400cfm@1000psi)/Atlas Copco XRVS476



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