Tribe Technology PLC, the disruptive technology-first developer and manufacturer of world-class autonomous mining equipment, has announced the arrival of its first autonomous reverse circulation (RC) TTDS GC 700 drill rig from the manufacturing site in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to the Australian Automation & Robotics Precinct (AARP) in Neerabup, Western Australia.

This is a major milestone for the company and is the culmination of significant engineering hours over the last four years, pioneering design and innovation along with extensive collaboration with its first customer, McKay Drilling, a subsidiary of Major Drilling Group International Inc.

This first drill rig has been manufactured and sold to industry leading drilling contractor, Major Drilling, for use at a Tier 1 iron ore mining asset in Australia. In line with the company’s announcement on 30 July 2024, the Drill Rig arrived on schedule in Perth, Australia.

The company will now undertake, in collaboration with the customer, additional system testing, integration with the Tribe Tech autonomous sample system, development of the software remote control systems and test drilling of holes at a depth of up to 60 m at the AARP, located in Perth. In line with the company’s contract with the customer, a stage payment invoice has been issued and paid at this milestone.

Derek Loughlin Chief Technology Officer at Tribe Tech, commented: “Our first Drill Rig has travelled by sea freight and successfully disembarked from the Fremantle port and arrived today at the AARP facility in Perth. We are extremely excited to carry out the next stage of integration testing including the first operation of the Drill Rig with our autonomous sample system and performing drilling operations for the first time within the AARP environment.”