Newmont orders remotely operated drill rig fleet for Australia from Epiroc - Mugglehead Magazine

They will be utilized at the Boddington gold-copper mine on the country’s west coast

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After setting up the first remotely operated drill rig at Newmont Corporation’s (TSE: NGT) (NYSE: NEM) Australian gold-copper mine a couple weeks ago, Sweden’s Epiroc AB Class A (OTCMKTS: EPIAF) will soon be providing the mining giant with even more equipment.

Epiroc revealed Tuesday that it will be equipping Newmont with an arsenal of its Pit Viper 231 and SmartROC D65 drill rigs. These remotely operated machines will be replacing an older fleet of Epiroc equipment at the site. Epiroc will be maintaining the machines as part of the deal.

“By removing operators from hazardous areas, teleremote technology allows the drill to continue functioning during times when it would typically need to stop,” Epiroc explained in a LinkedIn post, “such as during pit blasting or in restricted spaces near high walls.”

This boosts productivity while minimizing safety risks.

The mining equipment will cost Newmont about C$44.2 million. Epiroc will start delivering the goods during H1 next year. The two companies have had a long-standing partnership.

Epiroc says the Pit Viper 231 drill rig is extremely fuel efficient. Photo credit: Epiroc

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The Swedish manufacturer just received another major purchase order from Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) — a multinational mining company headquartered in Luxembourg.

Epiroc will supply ERG with mine trucks, loaders, drill rigs and other equipment. They will be used for mining chrome ore at Kazakhstan’s so-called “10th Anniversary Chromium Mine (ShDNK-2)” on the nation’s west side.

ERG is the world’s number-one producer of ferrochrome — an alloy derived from chromium ore. It is primarily used in stainless steel production but is also needed for more sensitive/specific applications like jet engines.

At this year’s MINExpo International trade show in Las Vegas last month, the company showcased its latest mining equipment innovations.

Epiroc also opened up an advanced 48,000-square-foot service centre for the mining industry at the end of 2023. It resides in the small city of Elko.

As Newmont currently operates the major Nevada Gold Mines joint venture with Barrick Gold Corp (TSE: ABX) in the state, Epiroc’s services will likely come in handy in the United States and Australia.

The Elko facility has other major gold producers within reasonable proximity, like Calibre Mining Corp (TSE: CXB) (OTCMKTS: CXBMF) and SSR Mining Inc (NASDAQ: SSRM).

Calibre Mining is a sponsor of Mugglehead news coverage

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