Epiroc, the Sweden-based drill rig and hydraulic breaker manufacturer operating in the global quarrying and mining industries, has partnered with Skanska Industrial Solutions to trial what is claimed to be the world's first battery-electric tophammer drill rig.
The Swedish quarry-based trial is said to mark a significant milestone in the journey towards zero- emissions drilling in surface mines and quarries worldwide.
"This is a proud day. For many years we have been leading the development in lowering fuel consumption within tophammer drilling, "says Ulf Gyllander, product manager tophammer drill rigs, Epiroc surface division. “With this new solution, we are taking a giant leap in the low-emissions field – we are practically removing emissions from the actual drilling process.”
The design of the rig is based on the well-proven SmartROC T35 surface drill rig. In combination with invaluable experience gained from the development of Epiroc underground battery rigs, this SmartROC T35 E is designed to enhance the environmental standards of quarries and larger construction sites. Besides the low emissions, this rig comes with a range of smart features, options and enhanced automation solutions for high safety, reliability, and performance.
"With this achievement, we show that the innovations of Epiroc will play a significant role in the shift to low-carbon operations within quarries and large construction applications," says Jose Sanchez, president of Epiroc Surface division. "As our sustainability agenda goes hand in hand with those of our customers, we are very pleased to be collaborating with Skanska Industrial Solutions AB in the trials of this important solution."
The tests commenced in September 2022 in one of Skanska Industrial Solutions' quarries in the Stockholm area.
Epiroc has also won a large order for surface mining equipment from Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière in Mauritania.
Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière, known as SNIM, is one of Africa’s largest iron ore producers. The mining company has ordered a package of Epiroc Pit Viper 351 drill rigs with advanced automation solutions that will be used at the new F’Derick mining site. Epiroc will also provide service supervision and spare parts. The equipment order is valued at around SEK150m (US$14.67m) and was booked in the second quarter 2022.
“Epiroc has a long-term relationship with SNIM, and we look forward to continue supporting the customer with optimal productivity and safety at the new mine site,” said Helena Hedblom, Epiroc president and CEO.
The Pit Viper 351 rigs are manufactured in Texas, United States. They will be installed with automation features including AutoDrill, which allows for up to 100% of the hole-drilling cycle to be in automatic mode with high consistency and reliability of operations, and with AutoLevel, which minimises the time it takes to level and de-level and hence provides more time drilling.
The rigs will also be equipped with Epiroc’s telematics system, which allows for intelligent monitoring of machine performance and productivity in real time .
Epiroc celebrated its best-ever quarter for electrification-linked orders and welcomed rises in operating profit, revenues and overall orders in the second quarter of 2022.
The company's orders increased 21% to SEK13,377m (€1.273m) (SEK11,070m Q2 2021), an organic increase of 6%. Excluding Russia, the organic order growth was 18%.
Epiroc revenues increased 22% to SEK11,868m (SEK9,733m), an organic increase of 9%.
The company's operating profit increased 9% to SEK2,381m (SEK2,182m), corresponding to a margin of 20.1% (22.4% organically).
Commenting on Epiroc's Q2 2022 trading performance, Hedblom said: "Several large equipment orders were won, of which many included battery-electric and automation solutions. Also, the service business performed strongly. We expect that the underlying demand, both for equipment and aftermarket, will remain at a high level in the near term."
Hedblom described the ongoing war in Ukraine as "truly horrifying" and stressed that Epiroc continued to take measures to protect colleagues and manage the complex situation in Ukraine and Russia.
"We also continue to face higher input costs and supply-chain challenges. However, our agile organisation can adapt quickly to changes and challenges, and our large aftermarket business provides resilience."
Hedblom said Epiroc offered "market-leading solutions within automation, digitalisation, and electrification" and noted that the second quarter was the company's best quarter ever for electrification.
"We won several orders for battery-electric equipment, also for greenfield projects, as well as for battery retrofits and electrical infrastructure solutions. And, shortly a customer will be testing our first battery-electric surface drill rig. We are excited to help our customers reach their sustainability goals."
Hedblom noted that in June Epiroc celebrated four years as a listed company. "It has been an exciting time. We drive the productivity and sustainability transformation in our industry and will continue doing this by investing in innovation, aftermarket, and options for the future. Some examples are the acquisitions of a provider of electrical infrastructure solutions and of a manufacturer of rock drills.”
In August, Epiroc announced that it has completed the acquisition of RNP México, a manufacturer of rock drills and related spare parts.
RNP México is based in San Luis Potosi state, and has branches in Chile and Peru. The company develops, manufactures, and sells rock drills and related components, serving mining and construction customers mainly in Latin America.
The transaction is not subject to a disclosure obligation pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation.
Italy-based hydraulic hammer manufacturer Indeco that serves industries including quarrying, says that the company has invested in a new €7m metal-casing fabrication plant in the Bari area.
Speaking to Aggregates Business at the Hillhead 2022 exhibition near Buxton, in Derbyshire, England, Michele Vitulano, commercial & marketing director at Indeco, said the new Bari facility was required to meet rising global hydraulic hammer demand.
In July Vitulano was elected as the new chairman of the board at UNACEA, the Italian Construction Machinery Union. He will serve a two-year period as chairman from 2022 to 2024.
Vitulano commented on the market situation as he takes up his new industry role: “Although the market results remain positive, the construction Italian machinery and equipment sector is going through a complex period due to the effects of the war in Ukraine, the rising inflation and the outbreak of the Italian government crisis.
“However, I remain optimistic about the future: Italian companies are used to work[ing] in complicated contexts and, on the other hand, post-COVID public investments in infrastructural works should ensure stability to the construction sector .”
UNACEA was founded in 2010 and represents the manufacturing and commercial sector, which has a total turnover of €3.5bn and an employment volume of 50,000 workers, including related activities. The association also represents the Italian industry in the European construction equipment manufacturing association CECE.
Sweden-based rock-drilling-equipment company Sandvik has appointed Mats Eriksson as president of business area Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions (SMR) and as a new member of the Sandvik Group Executive Management, effective October 1, 2022. He was previously president of Load and Haul, a division within Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.
“Mats Eriksson is an experienced international leader who has successfully delivered strong results and growth for the Load and Haul division,” says Stefan Widing, president and CEO of Sandvik. “He has also been instrumental in the development of our world-leading offering of battery-electric vehicles.”
Mats Eriksson was born in 1962 and is a Finnish national. He joined Sandvik in 2016, when he assumed the position as president of the Load and Haul division. His previous experience includes being president and CEO of two listed companies, Cencorp Oyj and Salcomp Oyj. Additionally, he has held leading positions for several other companies, building businesses and operations in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, India, US, Brazil and South Korea.
Sandvik has also appointed Richard Harris as president of its Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions (SRP) business area and as a new member of the Sandvik Group Executive Management, effective 1 October 2022.
He succeeds Anders Svensson, who, as previously announced, is leaving Sandvik to become president and CEO of Konecranes.
Harris is currently president of Walter, a division within the business area Sandvik Manufacturing and Machining Solutions.
“Richard Harris is an experienced international leader with a very strong operational background who has proven great performance management and execution skills during his years at Sandvik,” said Stefan Widing, president and CEO of Sandvik. “In addition, he has successfully driven an active growth and acquisition agenda. I am convinced that he will be a very good fit as business area president for SRP and a great addition to the group executive management.”
Born in 1970 and a British national, Harris has been with the Sandvik Group since 2002 in various senior positions within Sandvik Machining Solutions (SMS). Before becoming president of Walter in 2019, he was president of the Wolfram division. Previous positions also include several different supply and production director roles within SMS.
Svensson leaves Sandvik on 14 October 2022, after completing the report for the third quarter.
