Epiroc supplies electric mining equipment to Africa

Swedish mining equipment manufacturer Epiroc has received a major order for autonomous and electric open-pit mining machines in Africa. The unnamed customer has ordered a fleet of the electrically powered Pit Viper 275 E rotary blast hole drill rigs.

According to Epiroc, the order is valued at 380 million SEK, equivalent to approximately €35 million euros. Delivery of the equipment is scheduled to begin shortly and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. However, Epiroc has not disclosed details about the customer, the exact deployment location, or even the specific country of operation.

“Epiroc is on the forefront of mining automation and electrification, and this major order is another significant step forward in our journey to support customers to operate in the safest, most productive and most climate-friendly manner possible,” says Helena Hedblom, President and CEO of Epiroc.

The customer has ordered multiple units of the electric blasthole rotary drill rig, Pit Viper 275 E, a cable-powered, driverless machine. According to the manufacturer, it can autonomously position itself at the drilling site and execute the drilling pattern with precision. This enhances personnel safety and improves efficiency, as the machine can operate continuously without breaks.

Previously, Epiroc has supplied battery-electric versions of the face drilling rig Boomer M20 SG, the loaders Scooptram ST18 SG and Scooptram ST14 SG, and the hauler Minetruck MT42 SG to Canada.

epirocgroup.com