Epiroc Signs Its Largest-Ever Contract for Autonomous and Electrically Powered Mining Equipment
Epiroc AB has secured a major contract to supply Australia-based Fortescue with a substantial fleet of fully autonomous and electrically powered surface mining equipment. This marks the largest order in Epiroc’s history.
The SmartROC D65 BE, manufactured in Örebro, Sweden, is a new battery-electric version based on the SmartROC D65 drill rig.
The equipment contract is worth 350 MAUD (SEK 2.2 billion) over five years. The first part of the contract, worth approximately SEK 100 million, is expected to be booked in the second quarter of 2025.
Fortescue is an Australian technology, energy and metals group focused on accelerating the commercial decarbonisation of industry quickly, profitably and globally. The company, which is also one of the world's largest producers of iron ore, has ordered a fleet of Epiroc blast drilling rigs; the cable-electric Pit Viper 271 E and the battery-electric SmartROC D65 BE.
The equipment will be used at the company's iron ore mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The driverless machines will eventually be operated fully autonomously and controlled from Fortescue's integrated operations centre in Perth, more than 1 500 kilometres away. According to Fortescue, the machines will reduce diesel consumption by around 35 million litres per year.
– Fortescue is at the forefront of the mining industry in reducing emissions from operations and using automation to improve safety and productivity, and we are proud to support them in this important project," says Epiroc’s President and CEO Helena Hedblom.
– Not only is this the largest contract we have ever received, it is also a significant step forward for our electrically powered surface equipment. We look forward to contributing to Fortescue's continued success now and in the future.
– We are excited to join forces with Epiroc to bring cutting-edge electrically powered mining equipment to our operations. The introduction of this new electric drilling equipment will immediately begin to reduce our carbon footprint and will reduce over 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually once the equipment is operational, says Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals.
–To reduce carbon emissions, our goal is to replace approximately 800 pieces of heavy mining equipment with zero-emission alternatives by the end of the decade, and to deploy 2-3 GW of renewable energy and battery storage throughout the Pilbara, Otranto adds.
Manufactured in Texas, USA, the Pit Viper 271 E stands out for its zero-emission design and patented cable feeding system, which extends component life and reduces operating costs.
