Epiroc says it has gained a big order for autonomous and electrical floor mining tools in Africa, which can embrace the supply of a fleet of Pit Viper 275 E blasthole drill rigs. The order is valued at SEK380 million ($40.7 million) and was booked within the March quarter 2026. The Pit Viper 275 E blasthole drill rigs are cable electrical and might be operated absolutely autonomously, boosting security and productiveness whereas having zero exhaust emissions, the OEM says.
Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s President and CEO, mentioned: “Epiroc is on the forefront of mining automation and electrification, and this main order is one other vital step ahead in our journey to help clients to function within the most secure, best and most climate-friendly method attainable.”
The Pit Viper 275 E rig is the cable-electric model of the blasthole drill rig that’s well-known within the mining trade. Its sturdy design and progressive options have made it a go-to answer for rotary blasthole drilling operations all over the world, Epiroc says. Supply of the tools will start shortly and is anticipated to be accomplished by the top of 2027.
Epiroc additionally simply launched its 2025 Annual and Sustainability Report by which Hedblom summarised a few of its autonomous and electrical tools milestones for the earlier yr. She said: “Demand for Epiroc’s merchandise and options remained sturdy in 2025. The strongest driver was demand from our mining clients, who account for 79% of whole orders. Larger mineral costs, primarily for gold and copper, supported continued excessive exercise ranges within the mining sector.”
Hedbolm added: “Buyer demand for productiveness‑ and effectivity‑enhancing options remained sturdy, leading to a number of giant orders for autonomous and electrical tools, in addition to multi‑yr agreements for connectivity and digital platforms. Our exploration enterprise grew particularly strongly within the second half of the yr, a optimistic indicator for lengthy‑time period mining exercise and future tools demand. Demand for service and aftermarket options additionally remained excessive all year long.”
Probably the most vital occasion of the yr was its largest order contract to this point: a 5‑yr contract value roughly SEK 2.2 billion with Fortescue in Australia. “We’ll ship a fleet of round 50 absolutely autonomous and electrical floor drill rigs, together with cable‑electrical Pit Viper 271 E rigs and battery‑electrical SmartROC D65 BE rigs. These driverless machines might be operated from Fortescue’s Built-in Operations Centre in Perth, greater than 1,500 kilometres away from the mines.”
She continues: “When absolutely deployed, the fleet will improve security and productiveness whereas additionally lowering CO₂ emissions. The order is a transparent sign that automation and electrification have moved from pilot tasks to implementation at full industrial scale. MSEK 100 of this contract was booked as orders acquired in 2025, and it’ll enhance from 2026 onwards.”
At Hancock Iron Ore’s Roy Hill mine in Australia, Epiroc has created the world’s largest absolutely autonomous, OEM agnostic mine. All 78 non Epiroc haul vehicles have been transformed from guide to autonomous operation utilizing Epiroc’s Hyperlink OA system. “We additionally put in communications capabilities on the mine’s round 250 ancillary automobiles in order that they and the driverless haul vehicles can work together safely with one another. The result’s vital productiveness features and way more environment friendly utilisation of current belongings. By yr‑finish, greater than 3,900 machines globally had been working with Epiroc automation, up 13% year-on-year, together with each Epiroc and non‑Epiroc tools. To the perfect of my information, this makes us the world’s largest enabler of autonomous mining machines.”
Hedblom continued: “At Boliden’s Rävliden mine in Sweden, we efficiently applied a 5‑kilometre battery trolley line utilizing our Minetruck MT42 SG Trolley answer. The event was executed along with ABB and Boliden. This Minetruck is now in operation and the outcomes are spectacular: Productiveness has elevated by 23%, ramp velocity by 50%, upkeep prices have decreased by 25%, and diesel consumption has dropped by 80%. Regenerative power throughout downhill hauls additional boosts effectivity.”
One other instance from BEVs (Battery Electrical Automobile) in operation she cites is on the Assmang Black Rock mine in South Africa. “Our battery‑electrical fleet has delivered 11% extra tonnes per hour and diminished air flow and power prices by 18% in comparison with diesel tools.”
In whole, Hedblom says electrification revenues amounted to three.8% (4.2) of Group revenues – 40 mines worldwide have ordered its BEVs, with most 2025 orders coming from current clients, a robust vote of confidence.
