Epiroc has won a large order for mining equipment, including battery-electric vehicles and automation solutions, from Boliden for use at three of its underground mines in Sweden. The new order follows Boliden’s large order of similar equipment last year.
Boliden, one of Europe’s largest mining companies, has ordered a range of mine trucks, loaders and drill rigs, including several battery-electric versions. The machines will be put to work in northern Sweden at the Rävliden and Renström mines – where Boliden produces zinc, copper, lead, gold and silver – and at the Kankberg mine, where it extracts gold and tellurium, a mineral used, among other things, for solar cell production.
The order is valued at about MSEK 130 and was booked in the second quarter 2023. “Boliden is focused on optimising safety, productivity and sustainability in its mining operations, including to produce metals with a low carbon footprint, and we are happy that they are turning to us again to provide them with the right solutions,” says Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s President and CEO.
“We appreciate our partnership with Boliden,” adds Sami Niiranen, President of Epiroc’s Underground division. “We are very pleased to see strong interest in our solutions, not the least our battery-electric machines that generate zero emissions in operation, an improved work environment for the operators with less noise, heat and vibration, less cost and energy for ventilation, and higher productivity. Our battery solutions also have market-leading safety standards.”
The equipment order includes, among other machines, the Minetruck MT42 SG hauler, Scooptram ST18 SG loader, Boomer E20 SG face drill rig, and Boltec E10 SG rock reinforcement drill rig – all equipped with battery-electric driveline. Deep Automation, Epiroc’s cutting-edge set of automation systems and applications, will be used to automate Boliden’s material handling process. Deep Automation provides control of flexible safety zones, production assignments, and autonomous traffic in real time – boosting safety, consistency, and productivity.
In 2022, Boliden ordered battery-powered drill rigs and loaders, among other equipment.
