Tag Archives: Erik Gert

Epiroc Scooptrams to receive the Wearpact GET treatment

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, , , , , ,

Epiroc Scooptram underground loaders can now be equipped with CR Powered by Epiroc Wearpact ground engagement tools (GET) option as factory-fit, the OEM says, offering extended wear life.

Wearpact GET is a premium edge lip built feature on the bucket, suitable for any material and loading conditions, according to the company. This integration follows CR, an Australian provider of advanced GET and digital solutions, joining Epiroc in February 2023.

Epiroc says its high performance underground loaders are designed with safety, reliability, serviceability, productivity and operator comfort in mind. Customers can augment these benefits by adding the Wearpact feature to the Scooptram loader for hard-rock underground mining applications.

The Wearpact GET is a safe, high-quality, bolt-on GET system. The low profile, self-sharpening edge ensures optimal penetration and clean engagement at every pass, ensuring up to 40% longer wear life, according to the company.

Erik Gert, Global Product Manager – Large Loaders, Underground division, Epiroc, said: “The Scooptram underground loaders are productive machines and one of the most important parts that keeps productivity ongoing is a well functioning bucket. By adding the Wearpact GET option on a standard machine, customers will enhance their loader bucket with a longer life. This means less time spent in the repair shop and less downtime for the Scooptram loader, leading to a continuous productivity cycle.”

Hannah Sabih, CR Powered by Epiroc GM Underground, added: “Epiroc’s loaders are already market-leading, and now buckets will come with our Wearpact GET for the best possible performance. The retainer is engaged from the top of the lip, enabling safer installation and change out, as well as reliable retention. The low profile ensures maximum wear life of the GET, reducing maintenance downtime and improving machine availability.”

The GET is already available for Scooptram ST18 and Scooptram ST14 loaders in the Smart and Green series, with Scooptram ST7 and Scooptram ST1030 options available in 2025, the company says.

Epiroc equips 18-t Scooptram ST18 SG with bigger battery capacity, automation capabilities

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Epiroc says it has advanced even further on safety, sustainability and productivity goals with the launch of the battery-electric, automation-ready Scooptram ST18 SG.

This 18-t loader is the most powerful loader yet in Epiroc’s growing fleet of battery-electric vehicles.

“By featuring market-leading battery autonomy and a complete battery safety system, Epiroc’s customers can now go the extra mile when it comes to safety, sustainability and productivity in the 18-t loader segment,” the company said.

According to Erik Gert, Global Product Manager – Scooptram at Epiroc’s Underground division, the interest from customers for this new machine has been extensive, with several loader orders already booked.

The very first of these machines will be delivered to Boliden’s developing Rävliden mine in Sweden. This is part of a wider order –  confirmed in June –  which included battery-electric versions of the Boomer face drilling rig and Boltec rock bolting rig to go to the Rävliden, Kristineberg and Renström mine sites in northern Sweden.

“Scooptram ST18 SG is a great fit for their high ambitions regarding sustainability and automation,” Gert said.

Scooptram ST18 SG is the answer to the rising demand for large segment loaders in underground operations as well as the need to reduce greenhouse gases from the mining industry, according to Epiroc. The loader features up to 50% higher installed battery capacity compared with other OEMs, resulting in longer autonomy with fewer stops for charging or battery swapping. The high energy-density battery also comes with both active and passive safety systems.

Gert added: “Compared to using a fossil-fuelled loader with similar capacity, the Scooptram ST18 SG eliminates 365 t of CO2 emissions annually. It also reduced heat, noise, and the need for ventilation – which is crucial as mines become increasingly deeper.”

The Scooptram ST18 SG uses Epiroc’s second-generation battery-electric drivetrain, which, it says, has been proven in field by the Scooptram ST14 SG. This drivetrain, the company says, provides outstanding acceleration, manoeuvrability and responsiveness for the operator.

Sarah Hoffman, VP Sales & Marketing at Epiroc’s Underground division, said: “With the Scooptram ST18 SG, we’re bringing our leading zero-emission technology to large-size underground mines. This is an important step in our ambition to drive the industry forward – to a more sustainable, productive and safer future.”

The Scooptram ST18 SG is part of the Smart and Green series (SG), combining battery-electric driveline with Epiroc’s Rig Control System (RCS). It is prepared for 6th Sense functionality such as automation and remote control.

Epiroc’s Scooptram ST14 to receive the Cummins X12 Stage V engine treatment

Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Epiroc says it is continuing to reduce the emissions and fuel consumption of its solutions with the incorporation of the new Cummins X12 Stage V engine for its Scooptram ST14 LHD.

“We are happy to further expand our Stage V offering by adding the Stage V engine to Scooptram ST14,” Erik Gert, Global Product Manager – Scooptram at Epiroc’s Underground division, said. “This means fulfillment of the latest emission standards in the EU and North America. We also expect other regions to follow the development towards more sustainable operations.”

First introduced in 2017, the Cummins X12 Stage V engine builds on Cummins’ proven technology, Epiroc says. The emissions of toxic gases and diesel particulate matter (DPM) are reduced by a sophisticated aftertreatment system consisting of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) combined with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

Gert added: “By reducing the particles in the diesel exhaust, a better working environment and air quality for the people working in the mine can be reached. In addition, the Stage V engine is expected to reduce diesel consumption with up to 5% compared to Stage IIIA engines.”

The Cummins X12 Stage V engine is globally available as an option for the Scooptram ST14 and Minetruck MT436B. Epiroc already offers Stage V engines for the Scooptram ST18, Minetruck MT42, Minetruck MT65 and Minetruck MT54.

Stage V engines require ultra-low sulphur fuel to operate, which reduces harmful emissions compared to traditional diesel. The Cummins X12 engine is approved to use paraffinic fuel, meeting the EN 15940 requirements. Paraffinic fuels, often called “clean diesel”, are made from alternative feedstocks, including natural gas (GTL, gas-to-liquid), vegetable oils, waste and residues (HVO, hydrotreated vegetable oil).