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Blasting Contractors of Buckeye, Arizona is also benefiting from a long-term relationship with Sandvik. The company used a Ranger and a Pantera tophammer rig and GT60 tools to help excavate and stabilise the site for a new wastewater treatment plant high in the mountains outside Scottsdale, Arizona.

Because the plant will nestle against a 20 m cliff, Blasting Contractors not only used the Ranger to drill blast holes, but also to place soil nails and 10 m rock bolts to stabilise the wall prior to shotcreting.

Drilling the 92 mm blastholes went smoothly thanks to the combination of the Pantera and GT60 tools, according to rig operator Cody Kranz. “I'm very comfortable running the Pantera 1500 compared to another drill we have. The controls are easier with the Pantera 1500 because everything is in the joy stick. We tried other steel on the Pantera, but it didn't hold up as well as the GT60. Plus, we get competitive pricing on the GT60,” he said.

Company owner Bryan Adams added, “Sandvik's customer service is great. They just ask &What do you want?' and &When do you need it?' ”