Kamoa Copper has ordered Minetruck MT65 S haulers, the world’s highest payload underground truck in the field, as well as Scooptram ST18 S loaders, Boomer 282 face drilling rigs, and Simba E70 S production drilling rigs. The machines will be used to expand operations at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mining Complex, projected to be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas-emitting copper mines per unit of metal produced.
The order is valued at almost €60 million (SEK 700mn) and was booked in the third quarter 2023.
Kamoa-Kakula is set to become one of the world’s largest copper mines and will have one of the most favourable environmental footprints of all major copper mines, according to one of the major owners, Ivanhoe Mines.
“The customer’s focus on sustainability and productivity, coupled with the large size of the mine, makes it especially exciting to contribute to its success,” says Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s president and CEO.
“We are proud and happy to be able to continue contributing to Kamoa Copper’s success as it expands its operations,” says Sami Niiranen, president of Epiroc’s Underground division.
Epiroc has had a local presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2001 and currently has about 120 employees, mostly Congolese nationals. Epiroc has several community-strengthening activities in the country, including Epiroc’s employee-driven Water for All organisation that sponsors clean water and sanitation for underprivileged communities. Last year, Epiroc joined forces with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), among others, to promote education and job opportunities for young local engineers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The new order is the third large order that Epiroc has received from Kamoa Copper for Kamoa-Kakula. In 2022, Kamoa Copper ordered €13.45 million (SEK 160mn) worth of equipment; in the second quarter of 2023, it ordered equipment valued at about €10.51 million (SEK 125mn). Epiroc will also provide service of the machines, on-site technical support and operator training.
“Kamoa Copper chose Epiroc to be one of our strategic partners for the supply of trackless mobile mining equipment due to its proven and matured industry track record,” says Jan Johannes Hough, Executive Engineering at Kamoa Copper. “The equipment selected proved to be reliable and feasible in various applications in the mining industry. It will play a critical role in achieving production targets in line with the expansion program of Kamoa Copper SA and the resulting guidance given to the market.”
The ordered machines have several advanced features, such as Epiroc’s telematics system, which allows for intelligent real-time monitoring of machine performance and productivity. Delivery will begin in 2024.
