Many of the world’s main mining teams, tools OEMs and electrification know-how innovators are heading to Santiago for The Electrical Mine 2025 convention being held in Centro Parque, Las Condes. Forward of the occasion, IM caught up with a few of the government crew and product managers at Epiroc, a Gold & Dinner Sponsor, to debate the area and its potential for low and 0 emissions tools demand; together with Epiroc’s distinct inexperienced mining fleet worth proposition.
Q Epiroc has a well-established presence in Chile, Argentina and Peru – are you able to give some particulars of the footprint you could have there in mining when it comes to workforce, services and repair centres?
Epiroc has a strong presence in Chile and Argentina, with 4 service centres strategically situated close to our fundamental clients in Antofagasta, Copiapó, Santiago and San Juan. Our fundamental workplace is in Santiago, and we’ve got a workforce within the area of almost 600 staff. In Peru and the Andean area, together with Bolivia and Ecuador, Epiroc maintains a powerful presence with a workforce of over 300 staff. In Peru, we’re deeply concerned in mining automation, working a number of autonomous drill rigs and offering distant operation know-how. Our deal with automation is remodeling mining operations by bettering productiveness, security, and environmental impression. Moreover, we’re dedicated to increasing alternatives for feminine staff in mining, exemplified by Peru’s first all-female drilling crew utilizing Epiroc tools.
Q How do you see the urge for food for greener mining know-how within the area in your discussions with clients and what progress has already been made when it comes to any commitments to low emissions machines or fleets, or to trials and pilots?
We’re set to start testing a ten t underground battery loader for growth work with contractor Zublin at Codelco’s El Teniente copper mine. This can construct on expertise gained throughout 2023 and 2024, once we carried out trials of a 14 t class battery electrical Scooptram ST14 SG instantly within the manufacturing space at Codelco El Teniente. The outcomes had been profitable, demonstrating that the know-how is prepared for operation in world class mines like this. For blasthole drilling functions in Peru and Chile, the deal with low emissions has been very optimistic, with a number of mines now drilling with electrical Pit Viper rigs. We at the moment are introducing our new answer for presplitting with the SmartROC D65 BE (Battery-Electrical). We additionally see a possible within the area for battery conversions in underground mining, in very particular functions.
Q Are there any features of mining in Chile and Peru that makes it significantly appropriate for battery and hybrid know-how when it comes to the dimensions of the mines, and the category of machines getting used?
In Peru, the case for underground battery tools is obvious, as most mines are situated at very excessive altitudes or deep ranges, making air flow necessities extra vital. By lowering the diesel tools footprint, we will enhance general power effectivity. With the broad vary of underground battery-electric autos, and the current introduction of our smallest loader, the Scooptram ST10 G, we see a powerful curiosity from Peruvian mines. Going to our largest capability mining truck, and the implausible response we obtained again at MINExpo 2024 for the diesel-electric Minetruck MT66 S eDrive, there may be curiosity from all components of the world, together with South America.
Autonomous Epiroc Pit Viper at Anglo American Quellaveco copper mine in Peru
Q Epiroc has a singular functionality to provide OEM agnostic options, particularly on the subject of autonomy and digitalisation by way of quite a few firms you could have acquired – will this additionally carry benefits within the electrification house resembling on the subject of marrying autonomy with electrification?
Epiroc’s OEM-agnostic method is a singular functionality, strengthened by acquisitions like RCT and ASI Mining, which provides mining clients the liberty to deploy automation and digital options throughout any tools model. This unmatched flexibility permits clients to modernise present fleets, combine new applied sciences seamlessly, and keep away from vendor lock-in. By bettering security, boosting productiveness, enhancing interoperability, and scaling with ease, clients are empowered to drive sustainable, worthwhile progress, adapting to as we speak’s wants whereas constructing for the longer term. Because the business accelerates towards electrification, this open platform turns into much more invaluable. It permits clients to mix electrical machines with autonomous programs, optimising charging, lowering emissions, and fast-tracking the transition to cleaner, high-performing operations. Epiroc’s agnostic method can be mirrored throughout the electrification portfolio the place open requirements opens up limitless prospects for its clients who for instance can cost all of their BEVs utilizing the identical infrastructure – irrespective of the model. By working with open requirements, clients can profit from having an ensured future-proof infrastructure that can be OEM-agnostic. The transition to electrification goes past offering ground-breaking options and changing diesel machines with battery-electric alternate options. Epiroc is working with its buyer to implement built-in options to ease the transition to electrification and allow extra sustainable mining. With steady and dependable infrastructure options, we will facilitate using battery-powered tools, optimise the manufacturing tempo, and scale back operational prices. Via the acquisitions of Meglab and JTMEC, Epiroc has additionally established a community of regional electrification centres, offering the information wanted for accelerating the transformation inside electrification. By taking an ecosystem method that goes past BEVs, our portfolio of services connects the entire system, and spans from power storage options, chargers, second-life providers resembling cable repairs, electrical audits and engineering consultations. Our built-in programs help clients to watch, management and optimise their power consumption, supporting the optimisation of every electrification undertaking.
Q There are additionally lots of emissions ‘wins’ available from upgrading tools to the newest variations with essentially the most environment friendly telematics and engines and so forth – do you see this taking part in simply as vital a task on this area in bringing down fleet emissions within the coming years?
We all know that our clients share our ambition to cut back emissions, however we’re additionally conscious of that each mine is completely different and want completely different options to succeed. We intention to supply one of the best machine, no matter power supply and subsequently provide a variety of options: cable-electric tools, high-performing BEVs (with NMC batteries) with common/commonplace charging and thermal administration system, trolley-electric tools, diesel-electric tools (hybrid) and engines for HVO biofuel. We had been happy that our electrification clients are growing, and the whole utilisation of the fleet of BEV in operations have greater than doubled throughout 2024. In complete, 39 mining websites globally have ordered BEVs since 2018, and of the websites with BEVs in operation, 28% have ordered extra BEVs. As our tools is commonly performance-critical and utilized in harsh environments, the demand for consumables and spare components is excessive. By offering dependable aftermarket assist, instruments and attachments, we will be sure that our clients can maximise the lifespan and effectivity of their tools. One space with significantly sturdy progress throughout final 12 months, was round providers, resembling midlife rebuilds, upgrades and remanufacturing options for parts – which isn’t only a value efficient however sustainable possibility for our clients. Our clients’ sustainability ambitions are continually growing. Improved security, diminished emissions, decrease noise ranges, diminished water consumption, human rights and enterprise ethics are an increasing number of vital for each our clients and Epiroc. Different sturdy developments are deconstruction and recycling (city mining) in addition to different round options. Via innovation – significantly inside automation, digitalisation and electrification – we’re attaining measurable security and environmental good points. We have now a variety of options that assist our clients enhance their security efficiency. Within the shift to a brand new, low-carbon financial system the place electrification and circularity play key roles, our services shall be much more vital for our clients success. Epiroc’s bold 2030 sustainability objectives go hand in hand with our clients and contribute to their decarbonisation journey.
Q Final however not least Epiroc is a number one provider of blasthole drills in Chile and Peru – to what extent have miners there adopted electrical tethered drill know-how and do you see an enormous demand enhance there?
Peru has been historically an electrical blasthole drill market and it continues properly when it comes to market adoption capability. Now, the dialogue is on the right way to finest undertake automation with electrical drills and there may be the place Epiroc is working intently with its clients. Chilean miners see the appliance of electrical drilling with curiosity, however their first focus is within the software of fabric dealing with machines the place they’ve the upper emissions problem in giant underground mines.
