Read this article in French German Italian Portuguese Spanish
Autonomous mining deal for Epiroc
07 January 2025
Sweden-based Epiroc has announced that a large order has been placed from BHP for its autonomous surface mining equipment to be used at an iron ore mine in Australia.

BHP, one of the world鈥檚 largest mining companies, has ordered a fleet of Pit Viper 271 blasthole drill rigs that will be used at its Western Australia Iron Ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The machines will allow BHP operators to supervise the autonomous, driverless operation from its integrated remote operations centre in Perth, located more than 1,100 km away.
The equipment order is valued at around MSEK 200 (US$18.2 million) and was booked in the fourth quarter 2024. Delivery of the equipment is expected to occur in the fourth quarter 2025.
鈥淥ur Pit Viper rigs have become synonymous with mining productivity and reliability, an extended machine life, and low total cost of ownership,鈥� says Jose M Sanchez, President of Epiroc鈥檚 Surface division.
The order follows the recent renewal of a global frame agreement between Epiroc and BHP that involves Epiroc providing surface and underground equipment, parts and services to the mining company over several years.
The autonomous Pit Viper 351 and Pit Viper 271 machines are manufactured in the US. The Pit Viper 271 rigs also come with Epiroc鈥檚 Automatic Bit Changer solution, which allows for drill bits to be changed with a single touch of a button.
必赢体育
STAY CONNECTED




Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM



