{"id":81951,"date":"2025-04-21T18:44:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T22:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=81951"},"modified":"2025-04-21T18:44:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T22:44:37","slug":"350-million-autonomous-equipment-sale-is-biggest-in-epiroc-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=81951","title":{"rendered":"$350 million autonomous equipment sale is biggest in Epiroc history"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\"Epiroc<\/figure>\n

The mining equipment experts at Epiroc will supply a fleet of autonomous, zero-emission electric Pit Viper 271E<\/a> and SmartROC D65 BE<\/a> drill rigs at a number of Australian mines operated by multinational metals firm, Fortescue.<\/p>\n

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The $350 million AUD (approx. $225 million US) deal will see Epiroc AB supply its customer, Fortescue<\/a>, with a number of blast hole drill rigs powered by either a cable connection to grid energy or, for more remote sites, batteries. <\/p>\n

Fortescue will put the rigs to work at its iron ore mines in the Pilbara region in Western Australia. The driverless machines will eventually be operated fully autonomously, overseen by remote operators at Fortescue\u2019s Integrated Operations Centre in Perth \u2013\u00a0more than 1,500 km away!<\/p>\n

Epiroc says the machines will eliminate around 35 million liters of diesel consumption annually, according to Fortescue.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFortescue is at the forefront of the mining industry in reducing emissions from operations, and in using automation to strengthen safety and productivity, and we are proud to support them on this important effort,\u201d says Epiroc President Helena Hedblom. \u201cNot only is this the largest contract we have ever received, but it is also a major step forward for our electric-powered surface equipment. We look forward to contributing to Fortescue\u2019s continued success now and in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Pit Viper 271 E<\/a>\u00a0rotary blast hole drill rig that offers the same levels of performance that the diesel Pit Viper line is acclaimed for. Its patented cable feed system that prolongs component longevity and reduces operational costs. The\u00a0SmartROC D65 BE<\/a> is a new, battery-electric version of the proven SmartROC D65 drill rig. They\u2019re manufactured in Texas and Sweden, respectively.<\/p>\n

Fortescue has been a pioneer in the electrification of the mining industry, whether it\u2019s converting its massive Liebherr excavators to electric<\/a>, funding the development of 6MW EV chargers<\/a>, or deploying autonomous electric drill rigs like these in their mines<\/a> \u2013\u00a0they\u2019re well on their way to achieving their goal of carbon neutral operations by 2030.<\/p>\n

Electrek\u2019s Take<\/h2>\n
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Pit Viper 271E cable electric drill rig; via Epiroc AB.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From drilling and rigging<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0heavy haul solutions<\/a>, companies like Fortescue and Epiroc are proving that electric equipment is more than up to the task of moving dirt and pulling stuff out of the ground. At the same time, rising demand for nickel, lithium, and phosphates combined with the natural benefits of electrification are driving the adoption of electric mining machines while a persistent operator shortage is boosting demand for autonomous tech in those machines.<\/p>\n

We covered the market outlook for autonomous and electric mining equipment earlier this summer<\/a>, and I posted an episode exploring the growing demand for electric equipment on an episode of\u00a0Quick Charge<\/a><\/em>\u00a0I\u2019ve embedded, below. Check it out, then let us know what you think of the future of electric mining in the comments.<\/p>\n

More EVs means more mines<\/h2>\n
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