Sandvik Raisebore vs. Jaw Crusher: Choosing the Right Rock Excavation Path

So you're looking at Sandvik equipment for rock excavation. Maybe you've got a project that needs a raisebore. Or maybe you're thinking about a jaw crusher. I've been on both sides of this as the person who actually has to place the orders and make sure everything arrives on time—and I'll be honest, the choice isn't always obvious.

I manage purchasing for a mid-sized mining operation, roughly $2M annually across a dozen or so vendors. When I took over in 2020, I inherited a mix of equipment decisions that didn't always make sense. One of the first things I learned: there's no universal answer for which Sandvik system fits best. It really comes down to what you're trying to accomplish.

Let me walk you through three common scenarios. If you're like most people I work with, one of these will sound familiar. The key is figuring out which one applies to your situation before you start spec'ing out equipment.

Scenario A: You need to create vertical or inclined openings

If your primary need is drilling raises—vertical or inclined openings between levels in an underground mine—you're likely looking at a Sandvik raisebore system. These are purpose-built for exactly that task: creating smooth, stable raises for ventilation, ore passes, or access ways.

Here's what I've learned from our experience with Sandvik raisebores:

• They excel in hard rock conditions where precision matters. We're talking about creating a 2-meter diameter raise that's dead-on vertical over 100 meters. That's not easy with other methods.
• The reaming process is surprisingly efficient once the pilot hole is established. Our teams have completed raises in about half the time of traditional drill-and-blast methods.
• But—and this is a big but—you need the right ground conditions. We had one project where the rock was fractured enough that the raisebore kept getting stuck. That was a costly lesson in site assessment.

I'm not 100% sure on the specs, but I believe the Sandvik raisebores (like the RH460 series) can handle diameters up to about 3.5 meters and depths to 500 meters. Don't hold me to those numbers—verify with your Sandvik rep. The point is: if you're making raises, this is the tool for the job.

Scenario B: Your primary need is primary crushing of large rocks

If your operation revolves around reducing blasted rock to a manageable size for further processing, a Sandvik jaw crusher is probably what you need. These are workhorses for primary crushing—taking feed material up to a meter or more in diameter and breaking it down to 150-300 mm.

Our site uses a Sandvik CJ815 jaw crusher for primary crushing. Here's what stands out:

• It handles the really big stuff without choking. We've fed it boulders that would stop a smaller crusher cold. The throughput is impressive when matched with the right feeder.
• Maintenance is a real consideration. Jaw crushers have wear parts that need regular replacement. We budget about $15,000-25,000 annually for jaw plates and liners (based on our quotes from Sandvik, verified January 2025). That's not cheap, but it's predictable.
• The trade-off: jaw crushers aren't great for producing consistent, fine material. They're a first step, not a finishing tool. You'll need secondary and tertiary crushing downstream.

There's something satisfying about watching a jaw crusher eat through a dump truck load of rock. After dealing with undersized crushers that bottlenecked our whole operation, finally having the right capacity—that was the payoff.

Scenario C: You need both, but phased differently

Here's where it gets interesting. Some operations genuinely need both a raisebore and a jaw crusher, but not at the same time. Maybe you're developing a new mine level and need raises for ventilation and ore passes (raisebore), but you also need to set up a new crushing station (jaw crusher).

I've seen this play out a few ways:

• Phase it: Start with the raisebore for underground development work. Once the raises are established, bring in the jaw crusher for the surface or near-surface crushing station. This spreads out capital expenditure and lets you allocate crews efficiently.
• Rent or lease: For short-term needs, renting a raisebore for a few months might make more sense than buying. Sandvik's rental programs are worth exploring—we've used them for projects where we needed specialized equipment for 6-12 months.
• Buy used: There's a market for used Sandvik equipment. In Q3 2024, we looked at a used RH460 that was about 40% less than new. The catch: you need to factor in refurbishment costs (roughly $30,000-60,000 based on condition).

Hit 'confirm' on a used equipment purchase and immediately thought 'did I make the right call?' Didn't relax until the pre-shipment inspection came back clean. That's just how it goes when you're spending six figures on used gear.

How to figure out which scenario applies to you

This isn't rocket science, but it does require being honest about what you actually need. Here's a quick checklist I use:

1. What's the primary output? Raises (vertical openings) → raisebore. Crushed rock for processing → jaw crusher. Both → Scenario C.
2. What's your timeline? If you need production in 3 months, buying new might not work—lead times on Sandvik equipment can be 6-12 months. Used or rental might be the path.
3. What's your rock like? Hard, competent ground favors raisebores. Highly fractured or soft rock? A raisebore might struggle. Jaw crushers are more forgiving of variable rock quality.
4. What's your budget cycle? Capital equipment purchases often need board approval. Operating leases might fall under a different approval threshold. Check with your finance team before spec'ing out either system.

Take this with a grain of salt: I've been doing this for 5 years now, and I still get surprised by site-specific factors that upend my assumptions. The best advice I can give is to talk to Sandvik's application engineers directly. They've seen more installations than any of us and can usually spot issues we'd miss.

What was best practice in 2020 may not apply in 2025. The fundamentals haven't changed—if you need a raise, you need a raisebore; if you need to crush, you need a crusher—but the execution has. Sandvik's latest control systems and automation features are making both types of equipment more efficient than they were even 3 years ago.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific circumstances. Figure out which scenario you're in, verify your assumptions (prices as of January 2025; verify current rates with your Sandvik rep), and make the call. And if you're like me, you'll second-guess yourself until the equipment arrives and starts delivering. That's normal. The key is making a informed decision now rather than waiting for perfect information that never comes.