Epiroc is to supply Corporación Minera Dominicana’s (Cormidom) Cerro de Maimon copper-zinc mine in the Dominican Republic with a new mining fleet as it transitions to an underground operation over the next few years.

The machines will allow the company, owned by Australia’s Perilya, to operate the new underground mine with “significantly increased productivity as well as enhanced safety and improved cost efficiency”, Epiroc said.

The order totals more than $24 million and was received in the June quarter 2018. It includes a Boomer M2 face drill rig (pictured), a Simba E7 hydraulic long-hole production rig, a Scooptram ST18 18 t LHD and Minetruck MT65, among other machines and rock drilling tools. The equipment will be delivered over the next two years in time for the mining transition.

Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s Senior Executive Vice President Mining and Infrastructure, said: “We are proud to be a key partner of Cormidom as they develop the Cerro de Maimon mine for significantly higher production.

“We are committed to delivering more productivity and safety to our customers at a lower total cost of operation.”

Perilya has been mining oxide and sulphide ore at Cerro de Maimon since October 2008 and flagged up the possibility of going underground in various studies around five years ago.

Paul Arndt, Managing Director of Perilya, said: “Perilya has a long and successful operating history with Epiroc in Australia. We see this as a chance to build on this relationship and develop further a strong partnership utilising Epiroc equipment throughout all the key phases of the mining cycle.”