Mining & Construction magazine 2 2025 by Epiroc

Drilling builds a better future

DEAR CUSTOMER, drilling has always been at the core of Epiroc. For nearly a century, it has been more than a business for us – it has been a passion. From mining to construction, drilling lays the foundations that fuel industries, drive economies, and connect communities worldwide.

OUR JOURNEY IS marked by milestones: the Swedish method in the 1930s, the Boomer face drilling rig in the 1970s, the Pit Viper in the 2000s, and, most recently, the diamondprotected Powerbit X launched in 2022. Each step has moved us closer to smarter, safer, and more sustainable drilling. At Epiroc, we believe that every hole drilled is a step toward societal progress. In mining, drilling is the beginning of a journey

that fuels industries, economies, and communities. In construction, drilling lays the groundwork, literally, for infrastructure that connects people and drives development. It is about innovation: using technology, automation, and sustainability to drill smarter, safer, and more responsibly. And it is about partnership: every meter drilled is a testament to the collaboration between our teams and yours. Whether using our smallest exploration rigs, our largest blasthole drill rigs that power open-pit mines, or our versatile equipment that shapes urban landscapes, we see drilling as a force for good – a way to build a better future, one hole at a time.

Epiroc Group – get to know us better

What we strive for Accelerate the transformation

The world needs metals and minerals for the energy transition. And we need cities that can cope with a growing population in a sustainable way. To succeed, we need to speed up the shift toward a more sustainable mining and construction industry. We at Epiroc accelerate this transformation.

Protected by diamonds

Epiroc PCD technology sets new standards

With Epiroc PCD technology, mining operations benefit from faster, straighter drilling, minimal bit changes, and less need for regrinding.

Epiroc Group 2024 in numbers

Automation enabler

Durability and long replacement intervals make Epiroc PCD drill bits ideal for sequential, fully autonomous, and teleremote operations.

Global presence Average employees

Live Work Elimination

With far fewer bit changes and no need for regrinding, the bits keep personnel out of hazardous environments.

The Epiroc PCD drill bits can cut the CO₂ equivalent contribution from drill bits by up to 90 percent.

Around 19 000 employees. Customers in around 150 countries.

152 years of experience. Revenue: SEK 63.6 billion.

DRILLING

Deeper resources demand deeper thinking. What will it take to drill further, faster, safer and more sustainably than ever before?

16 Two-decade partnership

Trondheim-based Høgmo Fjellsprenging AS needs to be flexible in its drilling operations. Compact and specialized rigs from Epiroc, and support that feels like a partnership, go a long way.

Mind-blowing hammer

The Epiroc COP M7 hammer bridges the productivity gap between the 6" and 8" hammers. Built for real conditions, it has transformed drilling for Capital Limited at the Geita Mine in Tanzania. INNER WORKINGS

SUSTAINABILITY

Advanced safety systems are essential for safer mines. The Epiroc Titan Collision Avoidance System (CAS) combines a unique range of sensing technologies to reduce accidents.

ON THE COVER Pucobre has been using Epiroc’s COPROD solution for Simba in its copper, gold and silver mine near Copiapó in Chile since 2022. Drilling precision has improved significantly, lowering operation costs – vital in a mine where the owner has to dig deeper.

Since its inception in 1994, the Investing in African Mining Indaba conference has become a pivotal event for mining professionals, investors, and industry leaders. The next conference will be held at CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa, on February 9–12, 2026. The theme is Stronger together: Progress through partnerships and highlights the transformative power of collaboration. www.miningindaba.com

Close to home

SITE

Under Epiroc’s head office in Sickla, Stockholm, Sweden, is the Epiroc mine. Here, Epiroc machines have been put to the test for decades.

Mining & Construction is published by Epiroc. The magazine focuses on the company’s know-how, products and methods used for mining and construction worldwide.

Address:

Epiroc Rock Drills AB, SE-701 91 Örebro, Sweden

Web: epiroc.com

Phone: +46 (0)10 755 00 00

Publisher Ann-Sofie Andersson

Email: ann-sofie. andersson@epiroc.com

Editor Gustaf Höök

Email: gustaf@rubrik.se

Editorial Board

Ann-Sofie Andersson, Evgenia Kulikova, Rafael Braz, Nurgül Atayer, Fredrik Ternström

Editorial Production & Art Direction/Layout

Rubrik AB, Masthamnsgatan 5, SE-413 29

Gothenburg, Sweden

Phone: +46 (0)31 719 06 00

Web: rubrik.se

Printed by Prinfo Welins, Sweden

Trademarks and reproduction of articles

All Epiroc product names (including but not limited to Pit Viper, Boomer, SmartROC, COP and Secoroc) are registered trademarks of one or more Epiroc companies. For questions regarding free reproduction of articles, photos or artwork in this magazine, please contact the editor or the publisher.

Selected highlights

06 EPIROC IN BRIEF

Keep tabs on what’s happening in the world of Epiroc.

14 FOLLOW-UP

Christensen 160 Smart exceeded high expectations at Red Lake.

26 OUR CHALLENGE

Fornebubanen will connect the different regions of Oslo, with a battery-electric Epiroc rig playing a role during construction.

44 MY WORK

Romika Naidu combines strategic thinking with a passion for inclusion.

48 BLAST FROM THE PAST

Portable Atlas Copco compressors were vital in this transformative dam project.

50 AROUND THE WORLD IN BRIEF

Assorted news from the mining industry.

Safety first

Epiroc is committed to complying with or exceeding all global and local rules and regulations on personal safety. However, some photographs in this magazine may show circumstances that are beyond our control. All users of Epiroc equipment are urged to think safety first and always use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required to minimize the risk of personal injury.

JUAN CARLOS RECABAL

EPIROC IN BRIEF

Epiroc implements business areas

Since Epiroc was listed in June 2018, the Group has grown successfully in many ways. For example, revenue has increased by a total of 86 percent, and more than 30 companies have joined the Group through acquisitions. To create a more focused and effective organizational structure, Epiroc has implemented two business areas: Equipment & Service and Tools & Attachments.

THE BUSINESS AREA president for Equipment & Service is Jess Kindler (left portrait). He has been with the Group for more than 20 years and has a strong track record of driving profitable growth in various global locations within both service and equipment. His most recent position was Senior Consulting Advisor, specializing in driving growth and excellence for global companies. Jess Kindler is a US citizen located in the USA.

The business area president for Tools & Attachments is José Manuel Sánchez (right portrait), who has spent his entire career within the Group and is an ap-

First fully autonomous SmartROC D65 deployed in the US

EPIROC HAS PARTNERED with Luck Stone, one of the leading producers of crushed stone in the United States, to deploy the first fully autonomous SmartROC D65 drill rig in the country. This is also the first fully autonomous

reducing the Group Management team from thirteen

preciated leader. He has a strong track record driving profitable growth, most recently within surface drilling and exploration. Most recently, José Manuel was the Division President for the Epiroc Surface division. José Manuel is a Spanish citizen located in the USA.

SINCE SEPTEMBER 1 , the division presidents from Epiroc’s eight separate and focused, yet integrated, divisions still have operational responsibility, but they report to the respective business area president rather than the CEO. As a result, the Epiroc Group Management team will consist of six positions in total, down from the previous thirteen.

surface drill delivered to the quarry market worldwide. The SmartROC D65 MKII is equipped with Epiroc’s advanced automation technology and can execute complete drill patterns without an operator in the cab.

Updated

“In the coming years, this reporting structure will support our high ambition of outperformance, with eight percent annual revenue growth and market-leading profitability, and will help to make us both faster and more effective in an ever-changing world,” says Helena Hedblom, President and CEO.

“The increased focus will mainly benefit our customers; we can be even more precise and reliable when it comes to delivering our productivityenhancing products and solutions. With these two appreciated leaders with strong track records onboard as business area presidents, we will accelerate the transformation further.”

Rod Handling System available for Boyles C6/C

EPIROC IS RELAUNCHING an updated Rod Handling System (RHS). This solution, which has been developed with safety in mind for core drilling customers all around the globe, is now also available for the Boyles C6/C surface core drill-

rigs

ing rig. The RHS has been available as an option for the Christensen CT20 and Christensen 140 rigs respectively. The product, available as an option, allows for a seamless addition and removal of drill rods and the core barrel inner tube assembly.

To create a more effective organizational structure, Epiroc has implemented two business areas,

to six positions in total.

 Gustaf Höök

SmartROC T30 RX delivers extra power

EPIROC WILL SOON be launching the SmartROC T30 RX, a surface radio remote drill rig built on the same flagship platform as the newly released SmartROC T25 R and SmartROC T30 R. This construction and quarrying rig, built to deliver impressive 19 kW drilling power, provides the highest technology and automation level in its class.

YEARS

2025 MARKED THE 25th anniversary of the Pit Viper, Epiroc’s now legendary drill rig that has left a lasting impact on the mining industry worldwide. For Epiroc, the Pit Viper rig represents everything we stand for: innovation, safety, performance and dependability. It is with great joy that we welcome it into the Gold Club.

The Stage V engine option is the European Union’s latest stage of engine emission legisla tion, designed to reduce pollution from off-highway machines. HIGHLIGHT

Minetruck MT22 – small and effective

EPIROC HAS INTRODUCED the Minetruck MT22, a new 22-ton underground truck for mining operations with small drift sizes, delivering increased effectiveness, reduced exhaust emissions, lower fuel

consumption, and extended service intervals. It succeeds the Minetruck MT2200 and features several key upgrades, most notably the Stage V engine option and European Conformity certification.

Product news and innovation stories (choose country and click Newsroom): epiroc.com

Epiroc corporate press releases (click Media): epirocgroup.com

Epiroc's leader position is made possible by almost 19 000 passionate employees.

What are your work-related goals for 2026?

Christopher Blignaut

Automation Manager, Surface Mining, USA

“In 2026, our goal is to scale LinkOA and Common Automation Panel (CAP) across surface mining and transform control rooms with our latest technology while advancing next-generation solutions that enhance safety and productivity in our customers’ autonomous operations.”

Emelie Lindback

Global S&OP Manager, Rock Drilling Tools division, Sweden

“To further enhance the cross-functional collaboration within our division and strengthen the support to our Customer Centers and Production Centers. In a rapidly changing world, flexibility and collaboration will be important to meet our customer expectations.”

Shawn Cheney

VP & Business Line Manager, Rock Drilling Tools, USA

“Taking on Underground and Tools this year, the main goals are to align the efforts of our team to grow the collective business and overcome tariff-related challenges. We must offset duties as much as possible while protecting our top-line momentum and, above all, deliver value to our customers.”

ROCK SOLID ROMANCE

LONGER AND STRAIGHTER DRILLING WITH COPROD FOR SIMBA

The unique Pucobre–Epiroc partnership enters a new phase with Epiroc’s COPROD rock-drilling system. In a continual quest to lower costs and improve efficiency, the two companies are extending their collaboration and experimenting with new technologies in a push for full autonomy.

In the gloom of a tunnel, 450 meters below Chile’s arid Atacama desert, Edio Arriaga directs a drill towards the gnarly rock face.

Inside his air-conditioned cabin, he pushes a button on a green-lit panel and grips a joystick. The drill explodes into life, water dripping from its jaws as it eats into the rock.

This is a COPROD for Simba E70 S in operation at Pucobre, a mediumsized copper, gold and silver mine near Copiapó in northern Chile.

THE PUCOBRE AND EPIROC partnership to test the technology underlying the COPROD for Simba solution started in 2022 and has resulted in significant improvement in drilling precision. The unique combination of high penetration rates and precision has led to orders of three new Simba E70S COPROD

and an Easer machine for slot raise drilling.

COPROD has significantly improved drilling accuracy thanks to Epiroc’s Total Station digital navigation system, which enables exact rig positioning and execution of digital plans.

“Working with digital plans is faster and more efficient. You have everything on the screen – it’s easy to understand,” says Arriaga.

Deviation levels have dropped from 8–10 percent to around 3 percent. Drilling speeds average over 1 meter per minute with high-quality holes of up to 50 meters. Dilution is down to 5 percent, meaning less waste rock removal. Burden has increased by 20 percent without affecting fragmentation, reducing the amount of explosives needed.

“The precision is almost exact,” says Arriaga. “Fragmentation after blasting is very good. We see fewer large boulders, which means the rock can be taken directly out of the mine.”

Pucobre mines use the sublevel stoping method, creating multiple sublevels and tunnels and then drilling and blasting steep chimneys. After 30+ years and seven kilometers of tunnels, the best deposits have been mined. Now the company is digging deeper to reach smaller, less accessible ore bodies.

“Every year, our mining gets more complex,” says Pucobre CEO Sebastian Ríos. “We need to be selective to control costs and adopt technologies that keep us competitive and sustainable.”

Pucobre’s production costs have in-

Edio Arriaga Operator, Pucobre

Epiroc’s COPROD for Simba is helping boost precision, cut costs, and access hard-to-reach ore –key to Pucobre’s plan to extend mine life by 20 years.

creased by 20 percent over the past five years due to higher inflation and more complex mining, for example more rock reinforcement, ventilation and water management. Pucobre must implement smarter ways to work and adopt new technologies to prevent cost increases while ensuring that safety standards meet target zero injury requirements.

THE COMPANY’S PARTNERSHIP with Epiroc deepened in 2017 when Pucobre replaced its 40-ton truck fleet with the 65-ton Minetruck MT65 S, aiming to increase production by 40 percent (to 450 000 metric tons/month) and cut costs by 25 percent. Since then, the relationship has evolved into a close collaboration to tackle ongoing challenges.

“It’s not like any relationship I’ve experienced in mining – it’s open, innovative, collaborative,” says Lars Bergkvist, Global Strategic Customer Relationships Manager at Epiroc.

Pucobre executives frequently visit Sweden, Canada and Australia to observe Epiroc machines in action. The company also hosts global visitors keen to study the partnership. Epiroc has a permanent site presence, offering technical support and training through a state-of-the-art simulation center.

“Whenever we need support, they are there to answer our questions,” says Arriaga. “We apply our practical knowledge to the equipment they provide.”

CENTRAL TO THE operation is the COM control center. There are multiple digital displays, and operators using headsets oversee mine planning and real-time equipment data via Epiroc’s planning solutions. This integration tool facilitates planning, scheduling, task management and reporting.

Telematics transmit equipment data to the surface.

Founded in 1989, operates three underground mines in Chile’s III Atacama Region: Punta del Cobre, Mantos de Cobre and Granate

Two plants: San José produces copper concentrates, and Biocobre produces cathodes

Has operations in Canada through subsidiaries

US$30–40M invested annually

Previously, manual planning in Excel took weeks; now, planning takes days.

The mine has reached its 450 000 metric tons/month production goal, though cost reductions have not yet been fully realized. The long-term strategy includes using teleremote and autonomy equipment operation. The latest rigs are autonomy-ready, and adjacent to the COM are new teleremote operation panels still wrapped in plastic.

Pucobre is halfway through its technology roadmap. The second half – which includes automation of certain machinery – is the hardest. People are still needed for maintenance, and teleremote operators need to be trained.

“It’s not the same as having a person in the mine. You have to trust the technology to be perfect,” says Ríos.

Pucobre

Sebastian Ríos CEO, Pucobre

Lars Bergkvist Global Strategic Customer Relationships Manager, Epiroc

Epiroc and Pucobre have developed a unique collaborative partnership whose success has hinged on shared goals, expectations and transparency.

“As long as we share the same values and objectives, with a good attitude we can overcome whatever challenges we face”

Sebastian Ríos CEO at Pucobre

IN JULY 2025 , Pucobre signed a US$24M deal with Epiroc to upgrade its fleet of Minetruck MT65 S trucks to the latest models and implement additional digital tools to optimize processes and further improve efficiency and cut costs.

Ríos estimates that the technologies they are implementing can extend the life of the mine by more than 20 years.

“If you are very efficient, then you can mine a smaller ore body that otherwise wouldn’t be cost effective,” he says.

eager to adapt,” Fredes says. “These technologies help us work better, faster – and more safely.”

But the changes implemented in recent years have not been easy. Many technologies were introduced rapidly, requiring a steep learning curve for long-time employees.

José Fredes – a 36-year veteran of Pucobre, who started his mining career with a pickaxe – is now head drill instructor. He trained his son, also José, who now operates the Easer from an air-conditioned cabin.

“My journey wasn’t easy, but I was

Epiroc and Pucobre

“There’s always resistance to change,” adds Carlos Morales, Pucobre’s people and technology manager. “Users value tech when it is clear that it helps. Otherwise, they just see new machines and systems. Communication and leadership commitment are key.”

Bergkvist emphasizes that the success of the Epiroc–Pucobre partnership hinges on shared expectations and transparency.

“Challenges will always arise,” he says. “It’s how we tackle them together that makes this unique.”

Ríos agrees. “If we share the same values and objectives, we can overcome any challenge with the right attitude.”

Bergkvist believes this partnership model is replicable with other clients, depending on their willingness to be transparent and problem-solve collaboratively.

“With Pucobre,” he says, “we’re standing on the shoulders of giants.

In 2017, Pucobre replaced its truck fleet with 23 Epiroc Minetruck MT65 S. It also uses Scooptram ST18 underground loaders, drill rigs including Simba, Boomer, and Easer, simulators, and the digital planning solutions. In 2025 Pucobre announced a US$24M agreement for further upgrades. Besides machinery, Epiroc and Pucobre collaborate closely on training and innovation.

Located 20 km from Copiapó, 805 km from Santiago

450 000 metric tons of ore – copper oxides and sulfides – extracted monthly

40 000 metric tons of copper produced annually (whole operation)

7 km of tunnels

800 personnel

Punta del Cobre mine

The state-of-the art control center gives Pucobre a complete view of operations enabling it to plan, schedule and adapt in real-time to meet KPIs.

José Fredes Head Drill Instructor, Pucobre

Carlos Morales People and Technology Manager, Pucobre

Five keys to success

OK to try and fail u Safety first – always

Safety always comes first. Innovation at the cost of injury or life is not innovation at all; it is a step backwards. Enforce safety protocols for every member of the team at all times, no matter their seniority.

Set realistic goals

Align expectations based on what the technology is capable of, but be realistic. Take into account challenges such as the terrain and the state of operations. Set up ambitious but reasonable shared goals between supplier and client.

Communicate regularly

It is essential to hold regular meetings for progress evaluation and to be transparent. If needed, reset goals based on emerging variables and always view the achievement of milestones as the end objective for both parties.

Not everything will be successful. Do not be afraid to try new things. But the iteration process needs to be fast and transparent, with everyone devoting all their resources to give it the best chance of success.

Get everyone on board

People need time to adapt to changes. Change will only be successful if the whole organization is committed to continuous improvement, from the CEO to the truck operator, and leadership can convince everyone this is the right path.

THE FUTURE IS SMART

Drilling on a lake, off a barge, and at a remote location in Ontario, Canada, sounds challenging, right? It could have been, but with the Christensen 160 Smart rig, it all went smoothly for Rodren Drilling.

WITH CLOSE TO fifty years of experience, Winnipeg-based Rodren Drilling has seen its fair share of challenging jobs. This year, another such project was added to that list when the company was hired for exploration drilling on Red Lake in Ontario, Canada. Yes, on the lake. To carry out this assignment, Rodren Drilling used its newlypurchased – in partnership with 518 Drilling – Epiroc Christensen 160 Smart rig, mounted it on a barge, and went about its business. Drilling began in late May and was wrapped up in mid-September – and was an all-out success, says supervisor Matthew Grant

Tell us more about the project.

“We worked off a barge, drilling numerous holes with depths from 300 to 1 430 meters. We started on a minus 55° dip, and the machine handled it without any problem. We ran it in fourth gear all the way, and the whole project went very well.”

What drilling method was used?

“Diamond core drilling with NQ sized rods, which is pretty much the standard now. The rods had a 2 and ¾ inch (70 millimeters) diameter, and there were no problems, despite the rock being broken up in some places.”

What made Rodren go for this particular rig?

“It’s a safe and capable drill, advanced while user-

friendly. Drilling on a lake, it was good to have a new machine which was quiet and has a reduced environmental impact in general. There were no leaks. Also, horizontal rod stacking as well as automated rod tripping were valuable assets throughout this project. That made for reduced noise levels associated with vertical stacking, and reduced the risk of rods being dropped using manual levers.”

What challenges come with drilling on a barge, and how did you tackle them?

“Drilling on a barge obviously is not like drilling on land, since the barge is moving all the time. The Christensen 160 Smart has a specialized drill program, so it was definitely the right drill for the job. Tracking your parameters was super easy – everything you need to know is on the screen. Altogether, there weren’t as many challenges as we thought there were going to be, and I think the drill had a lot to do with that.”

For you, what were the most useful features?

“The Auto Rod Handling system is really nice. There’s a lot of rod pulling in a job like this, and with that solution you can do something else when the machine gets the tube for you. Also, the rig has lots of safety features, which worked really well, and it was quiet. Extremely quiet, actually, both inside the cabin and outside. I was very impressed. Last but not least, the rig was super-efficient, so we managed more footage than expected. It started out as a 5 000-meter contract and I think we drilled 7 500 meters. I already look forward to running that rig again. It’s smart – it’s the future.”

Matthew Grant Supervisor, Rodren Drilling

ONE CALL AWAY ONE CALL AWAY

Shining a light on a two-decade partnership

When you run a small but ambitious drilling and blasting company in the often frigid climate of central Norway, reliability matters. For Høgmo Fjellsprenging AS, the long-running collaboration with Epiroc’s service team has become an essential part of day-to-day operations.

HALLGEIR

VEAN

Service Engineer, Epiroc, based in Trondheim, Norway

CALL AWAY CALL AWAY CALL AWAY

HØGMO FJELLSPRENGING, based on the outskirts of Trondheim, has built up a flexible fleet of equipment to handle everything from roadworks and tunnel maintenance to foundations and safety bolts. With a growing need to move quickly between small and large jobs, the company has invested in compact, specialized rigs from Epiroc, including the SmartROC T25 R and the SmartROC T40. But for Jan Erlend Askjemshalten, Construction Manager at Høgmo, what matters more than the machine is the personal relationship behind it. Thanks to the presence of experienced Epiroc service engineer Hallgeir Vean in Trondheim, many issues are solved before they become problems. Mining & Construction magazine brought Vean and Askjemshalten together to talk about trust, service under pressure, and what it means to truly understand each other’s work.

Your working relationship stretches back a long time. How did things begin?

JAN ERLEND ASKJEMSHALTEN: “I actually remember the first time I was told to call Hallgeir. I was just getting started, and my boss handed me his number and said: ‘This is who you call when something goes wrong.’ I didn’t know then we’d be working together for nearly two decades!”

HALLGEIR VEAN: “That’s true. You were still out in the field back then. I think you started on the wheel loader, right? And then you moved onto the rigs.”

Construction

JAN ERLEND ASKJEMSHALTEN

Manager, Høgmo Fjellsprenging AS, based in Trondheim, Norway

JEA: “Yes, and then eventually into the office, which you were very annoyed about!”

HV: “Only because we lost a great operator. But it’s been great to continue working with you.”

What has the experience of working with Epiroc as a relatively small contractor been like?

JEA: “Honestly, I feel lucky. We’re a small team, but we work with a global company that finds time to support us. That’s not something I take for granted.”

HV: “And from our side, it doesn’t matter if a customer has one rig or ten. Every customer is important. What’s great about working with a smaller company like Høgmo is the flexibility. If something breaks down, we are able to solve it quickly without having to jump through so many hoops. But I also feel responsibility, because I know if they have a problem, the economic impact can be immediate.”

JEA: “But if Hallgeir is busy, he still finds time to help us with a temporary solution on the phone until he can visit in person. That matters a lot for us. We don’t have a huge fleet to fall back on. If a machine stops, that might mean a whole job stalls.”

It sounds as if your working relationship goes beyond a written service agreement?

JEA: “What I really value is Hallgeir showing the operators what to look for: signs of wear, loose cables, things that could become serious. It’s like a free training course every time he visits.”

HV: “I see it as a partnership. I’m not just there to fix things.

I’m there to teach, guide, and help the drillers avoid problems before they happen. If we share that knowledge, we reduce the number of callouts. The machines run better, and the operators gain confidence.”

JEA: “Yes, it’s a partnership. Before the recent Ski World Championships here in Trondheim, we did a lot of the earthworks for the new ski jump hill and arena lighting. We wanted to lift the FlexiROC T20 into place using a crane. I asked Hallgeir if it was safe, and he was on call throughout in case something went wrong. It didn’t, but knowing he was there made all the difference.”

Such flexibility also means that Høgmo is quick to try new solutions?

JEA: “Absolutely. Our boss has always been one step ahead

In Focus: Høgmo Fjellsprenging AS

Høgmo Fjellsprenging AS is a specialist drilling and blasting contractor based in Tiller, near Trondheim. With a flexible fleet and a small, experienced team, the company works across central and northern Norway on projects ranging from roadworks and tunnelling to foundations, utilities, and safety bolt installation.

www.høgmofjellsprenging.no

• Established: 1987

The SmartROC T25 R is one of the many Epiroc drill rigs used by Høgmo Fjellsprenging AS. The fleet also includes SmartROC T35, SmartROC T40, FlexiROC T20 R, and SmartRig D7C.

of everyone else. Back in 2006, we were among the first in the region to invest in a SmartRig D7C with a silent kit. At the time, few saw the need, but we were already working in urban areas and knew noise regulations were coming. It gave us a competitive advantage.”

HV: “That was a smart move. I remember when that machine was delivered. Another company in the same area bought the same kit a couple of years later, but Høgmo had already been using it on projects for some time.”

JEA: “We actually hired that company as a subcontractor so we could use two machines with silent kits on a job. It was a requirement of the contract.”

What is the most challenging part of the work right now?

Vean Service Engineer, Epiroc

Jan Erlend Askjemshalten Construction Manager, Høgmo Fjellsprenging AS

HV: “For us, the biggest thing we are working on now is improving the availability of spare parts for new rigs. It has been an issue for Høgmo, and it’s something we are well aware of.”

JEA: “Hallgeir has always found a way to source spares from other locations or helped us make cables, for example, but it’s an area I’d like to see improved.”

HV: “Workarounds make all the difference for clients with one or two rigs, but it’s no replacement for a permanent solution.”

What does the future of this partnership look like?

HV: “I can’t always be available for service requests, so we now have a second service technician based in the region, which will mean faster service response times.”

JEA: “We’ve already seen the benefit of that. We recently had an issue with an older FlexiROC T20 R, which was stuck in the middle of the road with Friday rush-hour looming. Even though his working day had finished, the new engineer arrived and fixed the issue with a 1.5-hour response time.”

HV: “And with more Epiroc equipment in the Høgmo fleet than ever before, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other in the years to come.”

JEA: “That’s very true! We recently sourced three excavators with a drill application, but I insisted we must have Epiroc rock drills on the application. The main reason is the good experience we’ve had over the years with Hallgeir. Long may it continue.”

What makes the long-standing relationship between Epiroc and Høgmo Fjellsprenging work so well?

Trust

Years of collaboration have created a relationship where problems are solved openly and practically. Advice is freely given, and training is shared to empower operators, reduce breakdowns, and build mutual confidence.

Availability

Fast, local service makes all the difference. With a technician based in Trondheim – and now a second one in the region – Epiroc can respond quickly when support is needed most.

Commitment

Whether it’s a late-night phone call or a visit ahead of a critical deadline, the Epiroc team consistently goes beyond the standard service expectations to keep Høgmo’s operations running.

www.epiroc.com/smartroc-t25r

Hallgeir

Epiroc PCD drill bits have a diamond powder mixture applied to the buttons before they are subjected to high pressure and temperature, creating a highly durable structure.

Epiroc PCD technology sets new standard in productivity and safety

EPIROC BROKE NEW ground when it launched the first generation of its PCD (polycrystalline diamond) drill bits, Powerbit X. With the second generation of Epiroc PCD drill bits, we are crushing it.

The innovative Powerbit X offered a longer service life and eliminated the need for regrinding. Overnight, operators cut down bit changes from hundreds to just a few. The Epiroc

PCD drill bits are an upgrade on that, skillfully refining what was impressive into something even better. The three main benefits are related to productivity, safety and the environment.

The Epiroc PCD drill bits enable faster drilling, straighter holes with consistent diameters, and drilling without time-consuming bit changes to boost productivity.

AutoNav – agnostic automation for all machines

AUTONAV IS AN automation solution designed to work across all machine types, brands and fleet sizes. It enables a smooth transition from manual operation to automated control, tailored to the specific readiness level of each operation. The system enhances

safety by removing operators from hazardous environments, ensures consistent machine performance, and increases productivity through improved precision, efficiency and safety.

The AutoNav system offers five progressive levels of automation.

Also, with minimal changes, next-level automation and reduced traffic in the mine, workdays are much safer.

FINALLY, DRILL BITS with improved life cycle performance, no need for regrinding, and fewer transports help cut the CO2-equivalent contribution from the drill bits per drilled meter by an estimated 90 percent.

 Gustaf Höök

Major leap for operator comfort with new cabin

EPIROC HAS LAUNCHED updated versions of its SmartROC T35 and T40 rigs. This update includes a new operator cabin that will help to further increase productivity and operator comfort and safety.

SmartROC T35 and T40 are muchappreciated machines due to their productivity and class-leading fuel efficiency. The experience these rigs

offer is now further enhanced as the newly updated cabin is quieter and reduces vibration levels. It’s also lighter and more spacious.

In addition, several of these new features will positively influence safety, as they can now be controlled from inside the cabin. The updated cabin will be implemented on all of Epiroc’s SmartROC rigs in coming years.

EPIROC NEWS IN SHORT

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Invest smart with Midlife

With Midlife services, Epiroc restores the performance of a machine to like-new condition at a fraction of the cost of a replacement. We also offer CARE agreements, including an extended warranty. By renovating instead of replacing, cost and environmental impact are reduced.

New webpage launched

With increased interest from customers in component repair and remanufacturing, exchange offerings, and machine midlife rebuilds, Epiroc has launched a new Circular solutions webpage, making it easier for customers and partners to choose from our circular offering.

Driver Assist ready to go

Flow through corners and fly on the straights!

Driver Assist takes the lane-assist functionality from modern cars to underground mines. The solution is ready to go with all Epiroc loaders in the Smart series, minimizing downtime, improving cycle time, and reducing setup times.

Want to keep track of what’s happening in the mining and construction industry? Visit miningandconstruction.com for links to industry news and other interesting reading.

Hello there!

What’s happening in Mexico?

MEXICO’S MINING SECTOR is vibrant, and Epiroc is strengthening its position with a focus on partnerships, digitalization and service. Established groups are renewing their trust, and new players are entering the sector. Sales Manager Vivian Bravo elaborates on Epiroc’s role in a growing market.

What are the main developments in Mexico?

“Focus is to stay close to customers in the main mining regions so we can respond quickly and deliver the right solutions. Mining is central to Mexico’s economy, and we want to contribute by making operations both productive and sustainable.”

How are you strengthening service and support for customers?

“Availability is top of mind. We are investing to scale our parts and service capacity, with more technicians and faster delivery. Also, our business partner network is expanding, giving us a stronger local presence. When customers choose Epiroc, they can rely on us not only for equipment but to add value for our customers in everything we do.”

Digitalization is often mentioned as a game changer. What’s your view on this in Mexico?

“Digital solutions are now part of nearly every discussion. We recently delivered the first Epiroc Simba E70 S teleremote in Mexico, which is a milestone for safety and efficiency. More broadly, customers are looking for tools that give better control and use of data in daily operations, and we’re here to support that shift.”

The new cabin has an option for brand-new blast-resistance glass, which improves safety. It is also equipped with an improved air-filtering system.

Vivian Bravo Sales Manager, Epiroc Mexico

Finding the right fit

Thanks to the Epiroc COP M7 hammer, which closes the gap between 6" and 8" hammers, Capital Limited has lowered its running costs and CO2 emissions.

HE GEITA Gold Mine, located in the Lake Victoria gold fields of northwestern Tanzania, has a tough combination of hard, often broken, rock and large amounts of water which puts pressure on the drilling equipment. For the team on site, the goal is clear: drill efficiently, minimize downtime, and keep production moving. To add value for shareholders, customers and itself, Capital Limited, the mine’s drilling services partner, continually explores new technologies on the market.

THE SEARCH FOR ideal down-the-hole (DTH) drilling tools sparked a long-term collaboration between Epiroc and Capital Limited. Through iterative trials at the Geita Mine, this partnership contributed to the development of the COP M-series – the fastest DTH ham-

mers to date. Capital Limited was using a 6" hammer to drill 203-millimeter holes, but when Epiroc introduced a unique 7" hammer, everything suddenly fell into place. Tony Woolfe, the general manager of the assets and supply chain at Capital Limited, elaborates:

“The COP M7 filled the gap between the 8" and 6" hammer. It creates an annulus on the outside and provides better hole cleaning velocity, more efficient air usage, and, ultimately, a higher penetration rate,” he says.

However, when the M7 hammer was first introduced to the team at Geita, not everyone was convinced.

“I was skeptical,” Scott Reilly, a project manager at the Geita Mine, recalls. “The competitor hammer we used was a stable run; nothing exceptional,

Tony Woolfe General Manager, Assets and Supply Chain, Capital Limited

but it worked. But as soon we put the COP M7 on, adjusted some settings and really put some feed pressure onto it, I was mind-blown.”

Woolfe explains that the difference was obvious from the very first hole.

“When we looked at real-time penetration rates, it knocked the previous hammer out of the park,” he says.

WITH ITS PATENTED air cycle, the COP M-series allows for a shorter, lighter and faster hammer than ever before. Tests show that the COP M7 drills 27 percent faster than the M6 using 203-millimeter bits. The M-series fits various drill rigs and is easy to adjust to different air pressures and volumes. It also weighs about 30 percent less than other hammers in its class, making it easier and safer for handling by operators. Reilly elaborates:

“You can build the best hammer in the world, but if it’s not made for the guys on the ground, they will not use it. The COP M7 is built for real

Outstanding productivity

EPIROC

utilize a unique piston design to achieve high-frequency impacts on the rock, leading to faster drilling speeds and increased productivity.

Rotation

Rotation of the drill string is provided by the

High pressure air

Drill pipe rotates and delivers highpressure air to the Epiroc COP M7 DTH (down-the-hole) hammer.

Transference of energy

The Epiroc M-series hammer transfers energy into the rock. It provides maximum lubrication and flushing air to the splines, reducing wear and extending

LEARN MORE // Epiroc COP M7 hammer

THE

COP M7 DTH hammers

drill rig.

The COP M7 hammer at Geita is mounted on a SmartROC D65 drill. The success is owed to the entire Epiroc drill string –from the rig downward. It was developed to ensure that the rig’s settings are precisely aligned with the hammer for maximum performance.

 Maritha Arcos Simon Romli Fredrik Saarkoppel

conditions – resistant to water and easy to maneuver and assemble. Even less experienced operators can use it with confidence. That’s why the operators keep asking for it – it just works,” he says.

However, the success of the COP M7 is not solely due to the hammer itself, but also the entire Epiroc drill string – from the rig downwards. It has been developed to be a perfect marriage, ensuring that the rig’s settings are precisely aligned with the hammer for maximum performance.

The unique piston design of the M-series hammers allows them to strike at a much higher frequency than other hammers. This means less fuel consumption, which means lower running costs for Capital Limited.

“More meters in the ground in less time also means lower CO2 emissions. That’s a massive win for us as we begin reporting on our greenhouse gas emissions,” Woolfe says.

TODAY, CAPITAL LIMITED runs about 75 percent of Geita’s fleet with the COP M7 and is steadily moving toward full adoption. The joint mission to optimize equipment continues. Due to the abrasive ground at Geita, a slightly thicker barrel was needed. And now, an even more refined M7 hammer is on its way.

“Our collaboration with Epiroc is strong. We provide feedback, they listen, we discuss and move forward together. It’s actually a really good partnership,” Woolfe concludes.

Success factors

1. Air-consumption adjustable.

2. Solid shank without foot valve,

3. Always in-contact piston guide.

4. Convex striking surface.

5. Lubricated and aircooled splines.

Capital Limited

Capital Limited is a leading provider for the exploration and mining industries. Capital Limited offers drilling services across all phases of the mining value chain.

Provides blast hole, delineation, dewatering, directional, exploration, grade control, and underground drilling.

Operates in surface and underground mining environments globally.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: CAPD).

Tests show that the COP M7 hammer drills 27 percent faster than the M6 hammer using 203-millimeter bits.

Scott Reilly Project Manager, Capital Limited

Geita Gold Mine

The Geita Gold Mine is located in northwestern Tanzania within the Lake Victoria gold fields. It is one of AngloGold Ashanti’s flagship operations and among the largest gold mining sites

GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY

The Epiroc M-series of DTH hammers is faster, lighter, more service-friendly and longer lasting than ever before. The 7" hammer is designed to bridge the productivity gap between 6" and 8" hammers.

Flagship mine in brief

Electric drilling

Fornebubanen in Oslo is being drilled partly with the help of the electric concept rig SmartROC T35 BE. The result: more accurate drilling, less noise, and no on-site emissions.

THE CHALLENGE 1

THE OLD FORNEBU airport in Oslo, Norway, was closed almost 30 years ago. Today, Fornebu is a vibrant area, with both businesses and homes, and is set to grow a lot more in the coming years. To connect the different regions of Oslo, the Fornebubanen is now being built, representing the largest expansion of the capital’s metro network in 50 years.

Global Product Manager, Epiroc

“Norway is at the forefront when it comes to environmental requirements, and as part of the green transition, our customer Grunn Solid needed an electrified rig for its work on the Fornebu-

banen project. It’s a large project, estimated to take a total of nine years to complete. It involves drilling being carried out in built-up areas that will have an impact on many people,” says Ulf Gyllander, Global Product Manager at Epiroc.

ELECTRIFIED UNDERGROUND DRILLING is a widely used approach, but doing it above ground is something quite novel. Epiroc Norway became aware of the fact that the company had previously built an electric concept rig for another customer. Could such an approach also be suitable for the metro project?

THE SOLUTION 2

THE SMARTROC T35 BE electric concept rig is one of only two in the world. Once Grunn Solid submitted their request, a schedule was set up and the rig’s wear parts were refurbished, enabling the entire unit to be delivered to the project in a timely manner.

“The type of drilling that the rig will do is not particularly out of the ordinary, but doing it electrically was something of a challenge. However, this rig enables us to do exactly that, and we are the only ones in the world capable of achieving the desired ends,” says Gyllander.

EPIROC’S DESIGNERS AND ENGINEERS created the SmartROC T35 BE rig on an existing chassis using tried and tested technology. The rig is optimized for surface drilling, but is not designed to

be put into series manufacturing.

In contrast to an underground rig, the SmartROC T35 BE is equipped with satellite navigation, which provides greater accuracy. You know exactly where in the rock holes are made, how deep they will be, and at what angles. In addition, it is also possible to export documentation of the drilling and produce a map of the work carried out.

“The drilling process consumes an incomprehensibly vast amount of energy. That’s why it’s so important to drill with absolute precision,” says Gyllander.

Handling an electrified rig can be unfamiliar, and sometimes unexpected problems and service needs arise.

“We solve problems as they emerge, an approach that means that the rig is now out there drilling for several hours every day,” says Gyllander.

THE

RESULT 3

WITH THE ELECTRIC concept rig, Grunn Solid can drill emissions-free on site.

“The environmental aspect is by far the most important benefit,” says Gyllander.

In addition, the electric motor is cheaper to operate than a diesel-powered equivalent – and more efficient.

A valuable part of the result is that Epiroc gets the opportunity to see how the rig works in real world projects, helping drive the development of electric-powered rigs forward.

“For example, it enables us to understand what system needs to be in the cab, how the support system needs to work, and how the issue of charging can be be solved. One of the biggest lessons pertains to cable management. How do you route a cable in a simple and safe way, so you don’t risk running over it? We bring every insight to the electric rigs and mining and construction machines we build for future projects. This is part of Epiroc’s work to develop products and solutions for an even more sustainable industry,” says Gyllander.

www.epiroc.com/smartroc-t35be More

Ulf Gyllander

Fornebubanen is an under construction rail line which will serve the Fornebu peninsula in Bærum, in greater Oslo. Thanks to the SmartROC T35 BE rig, contractor Grunn Solid can drill free from on-site emissons.

In Focus

ORIENTATION / ON SITE / PERSPECTIVE / SURVEY / SEVEN THINGS

Drilling is where physics, geology and human ingenuity meld. It’s never just about meters – it’s about managing fragile rock, balancing costs and protecting people. In this issue, we look at the future of drilling: smarter tools, sharper data, and a commitment to safe, sustainable progress.

The days of harvesting minerals on the surface will come to an end. When they do, how will the industry need to adapt? ON SITE The hard rock scene ORIENTATION Going downward

The tough conditions in Epiroc’s test mine put maximum stress on the drill equipment – for the future.

PERSPECTIVE New wave drilling

Experiments in drilling with electromagnetic waves look promising, reaching depths efficiently with less wear and tear. If the tech is viable, geothermal power may be a serious green energy contender.

SURVEY Telling it straight

What are the main challenges of drilling, and can they be overcome? Three experts give their view on the intricacies of drilling and the importance of straight holes, data collection and supply chains.

SEVEN THINGS Far from boring

Tunneling beneath the busy streets of central London, drilling on the Moon, or reaching an underground lake in Antarctica – these are a few of the unusual drilling projects humankind has come up with.

DIGGING DEEPER

Old mines are starting to flourish, and new metals and minerals important for the green transition are often deeply embedded in the ground. The question is: How will the mining industry learn to go deeper?

ON JUNE 20, 1984, a seismic event shook Sudbury, Ontario. At the Falconbridge mine, the event caused a collapse, and four of the 200 workers did not make it out alive. Robert Bewick, who grew up nearby, was only two years old and had no idea how the event would affect his career as a consultant in the mining industry.

“It was after the accident that The Canadian Rockburst Research Program was launched in 1990, which was led by Dr. Peter Kaiser from Laurentian University. Peter then became a supervisor during my doctoral studies, and Peter and I have been working together since 2007,” says Bewick, today Executive Director Mining at the global firm WSP.

One thing he has learned from Dr. Peter Kaiser is that important lessons can be learned from a tragic disaster.

“For example, the Canadian Rockburst Support Handbook was developed there,” says Bewick.

Since joining the industry in 2005, he has seen much of the knowledge implemented in the field. And over the past five years, additional advancements have been made.

“Above all technologically – with automation, semi-automation and remote

control of machines. It is as if we are starting to get the ground support solutions in place, and what is left is the question of how to get people out of the hazardous environments.”

This question must be answered, he asserts. Especially since we need to bore deeper than ever before in the future – as today’s mines start to decline and tomorrow’s need for new, deeper metals is great.

“And, deep down, rock masses tend to be more brittle, which means that the rock itself can suddenly crack under high pressure and cause seismic events. Such disasters are still a major challenge in deep mining today,” says Bewick.

HE CAN LIST more challenges. For example, that there are too few people trained with the right skills in deep mining ground control, or that deeper drilling requires more resources, as every step requires greater caution.

“Operating costs climb with depth. The mine needs to be laid out for stress management, flexibility is reduced, ex-

cavations need to be treated like assets and properly maintained,” says Bewick.

But where there is a challenge, there is always an opportunity. Just ask Graham Trusler. Thirty years ago, he founded South Africa-based Digby Wells Environmental, a global consultant for the mining industry, and he believes that deeper mines can contribute to something good from a sustainability perspective.

“When it costs more, there are extra strong reasons to think about what you are actually doing, and since a deeper mine remains at the site longer, the demands for enhanced management and technology increase. Increased costs also mean a need to work smarter, where improved data collection is key,” says Trusler, continuing: “One of our customers once bored 5 000 holes and only received mineral data – then the holes collapsed. If only they had used those same holes for all the data they could have got out of them.”

With new and more advanced technology, this should be possible.

“This is where AI comes in,” says Trusler.

Robert Bewick Executive Director Mining, WSP

Graham Trusler Founder, Digby Wells

“When humans and AIs can team together, then we leverage from the benefit of both”

University

AMY LOUTFI, PROFESSOR at Örebro University and Linköping University, agrees.

She became interested in AI already in 1999, and today she leads Sweden’s largest individual research program (Wallenberg AI, autonomous systems and software program).

“AI is currently a buzzword; everyone is talking about it. But the technological hype has yet to come,” she says. It will most likely be noticeable in the mining industry of the future.

“Mines are complex environments that constantly change as work takes place. They need AI technology with machines that constantly scan and learn new environments in order to continue working.”

THE WAY FORWARD

Like Graham Trusler, she believes that AI’s main contribution will be in data handling and analysis.

“For example, processing information and drawing conclusions that a human brain cannot or scanning rock and deducing information without even having to drill. Today, we are only scratching the surface when it comes to the possibilities of AI.”

So, the question is: will it ultimately lead to fully autonomous mines, free of human labor? Loutfi does not think so:

“It is difficult to go fully autonomous at all stages of mining – humans are still needed, not only to be in the loop. In a mine, there are so many un-

Deeper with new technology

TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IS already creating safer mining environments today.

Robert Bewick, Executive Director of Mining at WSP, points out, for example, how automated loaders and bolters have made work easier. But at the same time, he emphasizes that more innovations that improve the conditions for mining deeper underground would be welcome.

“Improved extraction could be one way forward. Around the world today,

interesting tests are being conducted using, for example, lasers, microwaves, and mechanical rock cutting,” he says. Other future tools could include improved measurement of stress and other ground changes during ongoing work.

“If you could measure in real time and continuously receive forecasts on how the work affects the rock mass, it would of course make the job even safer,” says Bewick.

usual and sometimes rare events. When humans and AIs can team together, then we leverage from the benefit of both.”

Robert Bewick is also skeptical about fully unstaffed mines. And perhaps it is enough to get people out of the dangerous environments, so that more disasters like the one that happened in his hometown of Ontario over 40 years ago can be avoided.

“Basically, it’s about realizing that deeper mines require new solutions. Using the same methods as today, adapted for mines closer to the surface, will not only be unreliable but also risky,” says Bewick.

Amy Loutfi Professor at Örebro University and Linköping

Amy Loutfi Professor, Örebro University and Linköping University

Drilling workshop

At its test mine in Sickla, Epiroc is developing and testing the drilling technology of the future for a global mining industry undergoing rapid transformation. The focus is on safety, sustainability and increased efficiency.

“The green transition increases demand for certain metals and minerals while also requiring more sustainable methods”

Andrea Bosio Drill Master at Epiroc Surface division

AT 40 METERS ’ depth, an aluminum beam is being pushed toward the damp Stockholm granite. Slowly, the drill steel moves into position. The production rig, a Simba, can drill 25 meters into the hard rock.

We are in Epiroc’s test mine in Sickla, Stockholm. It was built in 1938 as a shelter, but for many years the mine has been a testing ground for the world’s most advanced drilling machines. The rock is a mix of gneiss and granite –Stockholm granite – that truly challenges the technology. When Atlas Copco (from which Epiroc was later spun off) built its new headquarters, a new mine drift was excavated – about a hundred meters long – connecting the old part to the shaft we just descended.

“Production rigs and reinforcement rigs are usually sent to Sickla. We used to do development testing, too, but now it’s mostly about facility maintenance – making sure rigs have test areas

and that everything works before testing,” says Per Johansson, who has worked in the test mine since 1987 and is one of two people who manage the operations.

[ On Location ] Sweden

Nowadays, most tests are done at depths of 40 meters. In total, there are 3.5 kilometers of tunnels, or “drifts” as they are called in mining. Also present today is Lennart Gustafsson, a former head of the test mine. Now retired, he still leads guided tours. At 20 meters’ depth, he shows us an auditorium that also serves as a museum about the mine’s history.

“We have been manufacturing rock-drilling machines since around the turn of the last century. For example, as early as 1905 we had a machine called Cyclop on the market. Before and during the Second World War, we developed a new underground machine, the jack leg, which had an integrated air cylinder that both lifted the drill and pressed it against the rock. It was a type of drill where the drill was advanced using the knee. Then, the technology shifted to hydraulics, which was a huge revolution. Now, we’re in

the third phase – with automation, remote control and various electronic systems,” says Lennart Gustafsson.

The test mine evaluates equipment for both underground and surface operations. One man who knows the challenges of surface mining well is Andrea Bosio, a drill master for Epiroc’s Surface division. With 250 travel days a year, he visits mines worldwide to train and support customers – often in countries like Australia, Canada, Chile and Mexico, all leaders in the field.

THE MINING INDUSTRY is working to meet growing demand – for metals traditionally mined at scale as well as minerals and metals like lithium, cobalt and rare earths needed for the energy transition and urbanization.

“It sounds paradoxical, but it’s reality,” says Andrea Bosio. “The green transition increases demand for certain metals and minerals while also requiring more sustainable methods: automation, renewable energy use, and minimized environmental impact.”

Beyond hardware like drill rigs, loaders, trucks and battery-electric machines, Epiroc also develops software for automation and control. This tech enables remote or fully autonomous operation. Software such as Surface Manager and LinkOA

Q&A

Lars Bergkvist, Global Strategic Customer Relationship Manager, Epiroc

gathers and analyzes data from machines. The Sickla test mine has a control room where operators receive real-time data from underground drilling using Epiroc’s software.

“Epiroc has about 6 000 machines worldwide reporting activity every quarter of an hour,” says Lennart Gustafsson.

Andrea Bosio adds:

“In some cases, customer control rooms are offsite. For example, at the Los Bronces copper mine in Chile, Epiroc’s Teleremote system is used from a control room far from the mine.”

Automation improves safety, productivity, fuel efficiency and sustainability. For Epiroc, the green transition demands cutting-edge machine and software development.

AS DEMAND GROWS for valuable minerals and metals, underground mines are getting deeper, creating new safety challenges: higher rock pressure, gas risks and rising temperatures.

Albert Kudziev, the global technology implementation manager at Epiroc, explains. With extensive experience in underground drilling product development, he helps implement new tech globally. Epiroc is automating machines and improving navigation and drilling precision for both underground and surface equipment to re-

As mining companies push deeper underground, new challenges emerge. Increasing ground stress, ventilation issues, and more complex logistics are driving up costs. At the same time, there is a need to reduce human exposure. Lars Bergkvist, Global Strategic Customer Relationship Manager at Epiroc, shares his mission to drive change.

Q Why are strategic partnerships with customers so important?

A “Change management is hard, and many mining companies struggle to drive change successfully. Working together as partners provides Epiroc customers with an outside view of best practice as well as training needed to bridge the knowledge gap and use technology the way it’s designed.”

www.epiroc.com/mining

Q How can increased mining costs be tackled?

A “It’s a known fact that deeper mining drives costs upward, and sometimes this can make or break a mine. New approaches to work and technology can prevent these cost increases, which is not achievable through savings and other small-scale activities. We can clearly see the benefits on a business case level.”

Q Why is drilling, the first part of the mining cycle, so important?

A “Since drilling the hole is the first part of the process, both in mine development and production drilling, it is very important to get this right. The benefit of a good blast result creates a much better flow in the process and has an extremely positive impact on productivity and cost. This is also an important factor for change management, as it opens doors for a larger scale of mining understanding that starts with drilling quality.”

Q Looking ahead, what are the biggest challenges facing customers?

A “It all comes back to this notion of change management and working with people. We see society and the next generation adopting a more forgiving leadership style where feedback is appreciated – but not negative feedback. How are you supposed to improve, however, if you don’t have those difficult conversations? They are a part of the change process.”

Lennart Gustafsson Former head of the test mine

Andrea Bosio Drill Master, Epiroc Surface division

Per Johansson Co-manager of the test mine

Lennart Gustafsson, Per Johansson and Andrea Bosio take a break in the mobile control room, a central part in developing the next generation of drilling technology.

“With our new COPROD solution for underground rigs, we can drill 50–60 meters without deviation”

duce material waste, energy use, and concrete consumption and maximize ore recovery.

“The deeper you go, the more rock mass is above you, increasing rock pressure,” says Kudziev.

“As miners venture into new horizons at certain deposits, they are encountering gas emissions they haven’t dealt with before. These can include explosive methane, highly flammable hydrogen, or, in cases of poor ventilation, dangerously low oxygen levels. In some situations, a single breath may be enough to cause a person to lose consciousness.”

To address these risks, machines are equipped with special sensors capable of detecting hazardous gas concentrations and alerting operators as thresholds approach. Thanks to easy integration and open communication protocols, the system can also automatically stop the machinery in time to prevent ignition or explosion.

is vital for improving underground drilling precision, as GPS does not work underground, making navigation a major technical challenge.

Accurate drilling reduces the need for explosives and concrete, improves working conditions, and cuts down energy consumption.

“With our new COPROD solution for underground rigs, we can drill 50–60 meters without deviation,” says Kudziev. “This allows us to eliminate the need to develop intermediate sublevels, resulting in significant time and energy savings. Constructing each sublevel is a major project and involves drilling, blasting, extending ventilation, and rock support.”

Quite often, without the use of modern technologies, it becomes difficult to improve safety and drilling quality without sacrificing productivity. That is why Epiroc dedicates a lot of time to increasing the automation of its machines –to significantly enhance the quality of mining operations without compromising on performance or safety.

TODAY, KUDZIEV IS in the Sickla mine monitoring final tests of a new navigation system. This system

Despite the increasing level of automation in modern mining, the operator’s role remains crucial.

Albert Kudziev

Global Technology Implementation Manager, Epiroc

Albert Kudziev

Global Technology Implementation Manager at Epiroc

Kudziev argues the first step should be better tunnel excavation. Poorly drilled tunnels cause overbreak, requiring more concrete – which is expensive and environmentally harmful.

“We strongly believe that future productivity and quality in mining starts with precise and safe tunnel development,” Kudziev says. “Today, this requires a modern approach and advanced technologies – and we have exactly that.”

EPIROC HAS A product called HPD (High Performance Development), which helps customers improve tunnel driving speed and quality, boosting both efficiency and quality.

“In Chile, we collected daily data for 1.5 years and saw massive improvements. Now, we’re launching similar projects in Portugal, Sweden, Türkiye, Australia and Mexico. It’s all connected; better tunnels mean better drilling, better blasting gives better fragmentation, and better fragmentation means faster loading with less diesel. It’s a whole cycle,” Kudziev concludes.

Niklas Frank Senior Vice President of Operations, Eldorado Gold

How are you collaborating with Epiroc?

In April 2024, Eldorado Gold and Epiroc signed a global framework agreement. What results are you seeing in production?

“One of our priorities was to improve our average advance per blast. At the Olympia mine in Greece, we used to be at 2.4–2.5 meters, partly due to short booms and conservative thinking. With longer booms, new technology such as drill hole navigation, and a more systematic way of working, we have increased this to approximately 3.0–3.1 meters. Our next goal is to reach 3.6 meters.”

Epiroc has appointed and is funding a global key account manager. What is the function of this role?

“The role works as a bridge between the Epiroc factory, the global engineering team and our mines. Its main task is to support our engineers, superintendents and maintenance departments in reaching our goals.”

What is your view of the future?

“We hope that cooperating with Epiroc will lead to longer and faster advances, but also to reduced overbreak through new technology such as smooth perimeter blasting. This technique offers more careful blasting and better control. We are also running a longwall project in Skouries, Greece, where we will combine the speed of top hammer technology with the precision of down-the-hole technology. If we succeed, not only will we increase our quality, but also reduce our unit costs.”

Per Johansson and Andrea Bosio seen preparing the Simba production rig, which can drill 25 meters straight into the hard rock consisting of granite and gneiss.

QUAISE ENERGY

GEOTHERMAL POWER

Wave drilling at depth

IN THE RACE TO decarbonize global energy, geothermal power is often overlooked; not due to lack of potential, but because of the physical limitations of drilling. Quaise Energy, a U.S.-based startup, is working to change that by radically rethinking how we drill.

To access the high-temperature zones required for supercritical geothermal energy – often above 400°C – operators must reach 10 to 20 kilometers into the Earth’s crust. But mechanical drilling becomes increasingly inefficient and costly beyond depths of five to seven kilometers.

Quaise’s core innovation lies in millimeter wave drilling, a non-contact method that uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to vaporize rock. At the heart of the system is a gyrotron – a technology originally developed for nuclear fusion –that emits concentrated waves in the 30 to 300 GHz range. These waves travel down a custom waveguide into the borehole, heating rock to ex-

treme temperatures and creating a stable, vitrified tunnel with no mechanical wear.

The implications are significant. If successful, this method could enable geothermal energy deployment in geographies previously considered unsuitable, offering a stable, round-the-clock renewable energy source. In practical terms, the company envisions retrofitting existing fossil fuel power plants with geothermal heat sources, reducing capital costs and accelerating transition timelines.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS still in development, with laboratory-scale proof of concept achieved and field trials planned in the coming years. Commercial feasibility will depend on several factors: energy efficiency of the drilling process, scalability of the gyrotron systems, and integration with power infrastructure. However, the potential upsides are enormous.

There are always things to be learned from other organizations and

industries. Here’s a look at how Quaise Energy deploys a non-contact drilling method to access geothermal energy.

Geothermal energy is a hot subject. Millimeter wave drilling technology may make reaching greater depths, with higher temperatures, commercially viable.

QUAISE ENERGY WAS founded in 2018 as a spin-off from MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center. The company’s focus is adapting gyrotron-based millimeter-wave technology for ultra-deep geothermal drilling. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Quaise has secured nearly $100 million in funding from investors, including Vinod Khosla’s fund. Initial drilling system prototypes have been tested in laboratory settings, with scaled field demonstrations scheduled in the near-term. The long-term goal is to deliver commercial geothermal access at depths up to 20 kilometers, enabling gigawatt-scale baseload energy globally.

FORWARDING DRILLING

Want more input on this theme? Three people from different fields offer their insights to help paint a broader picture.

What are the main challenges for successful drilling operations?

How can you address those challenges?

C Li Professor of rock mechanics and rock engineering, NTNU, Norway

“The main challenges for drilling operations can be hole straightness, drill bit life, circulation fluid loss, precision of hole orientation and drilling speed. Borehole deviation could cause problems for subsequent operations. For instance, it could result in uneven spacing between blast holes, which in turn negatively affects the rock fragmentation of blasting. If the drill bit life is too short, the drilling operation has to be interrupted frequently for drill bit changes.”

“The hole straightness can be improved by increasing the stiffness of the drill string or by using a downhole motor equipped with an intelligent deviation-correcting mechanism. Drill bit life can be prolonged by using new materials. Circulation fluid loss is unavoidable in fractured rock masses.”

Director, Geolorn Ltd., UK

“Skilled operators who understand the complexities of the drilling operation, the tool’s interactions with the rock, and optimizing performance through care and consideration of drill bits. Matching tools to rock types for increased efficiencies, as often it is a one-size-fits-all approach, leading to costly compromises that should be avoided. Also, product availability and flexibility in supply.”

“Continuing research into rock/bit interactions, live information platforms for drill operators and better selection of materials that offer both cost reductions (bit life) and allow for recycling (circular economy). Data collection and sharing that better inform the operators and supply chain, through cloud-based ML/AI applications. Digitization of drilling parameters that can be cloud-based.”

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“The demands on a successful drilling operation are diverse and complex. In addition to traditional requirements – such as rapid setup and positioning times, accurate profiling and precise drilling – new requirements have emerged in recent years. These include full automation of drilling processes and real-time acquisition of mechanical and geological parameters during operation.”

“Many existing drilling systems do not meet the requirements of a Mining 4.0 concept. Given the long life cycles of such equipment and the high capital costs involved, it is especially difficult for small and medium-sized mining companies to benefit from these developments. Therefore, concepts for cost-effective retrofitting of existing drilling equipment would be highly beneficial across the sector.”

Helmut Mischo Professional Engineer, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany

Kevin

Mallin

Charlie

From polar ice to lunar dust

Drilling has pushed into strange and remarkable places. Here are seven sites where engineers truly broke new ground.

Apollo Lunar Missions

The Moon

The Apollo missions resulted in more than footprints and flags; astronauts used hand drills to collect lunar core samples. These small cylinders of Moon rock helped scientists study the surface’s history and laid the groundwork for future space exploration.

IDDP

Iceland

The Iceland Deep Drilling Project pushed through volcanic rock to tap into superheated fluids near magma. With temperatures up to 600°C, the well could yield far more energy than conventional geothermal sources – showing what drilling can do at the limits.

Chicxulub Crater

Mexico

In 2016, scientists drilled into the undersea crater left by the asteroid that ended the dinosaur era around 66 million years ago. Core samples showed how quickly life returned after the impact and gave new insight into Earth’s resilience after cataclysmic events.

Lake Vostok

Antarctica

Hidden under nearly four kilometers of ice, Lake Vostok remained untouched for millions of years. Researchers spent decades drilling down, hoping to find ancient microbes and perhaps insights into life in similar conditions on other planets. Results remain inconclusive.

Songliao Basin

China

Launched in 2006, this scientific drilling project explored the sediment layers of an ancient inland sea in northeastern China. Reaching over 7 000 meters deep, it provided valuable data on climate change, mass extinctions, and petroleum systems in East Asia.

Crossrail

London, UK

Beneath the streets of London, the Crossrail project involved massive tunnel boring machines carving routes for new trains. The challenge was avoiding everything from centuries-old buildings to hidden archaeological layers, all without halting city life.

JOIDES Resolution

Ocean Floor

After nearly four decades of scientific drilling, the JOIDES Resolution returned from its final expedition in early 2025. This legendary ship drilled into the ocean floor to uncover secrets of plate tectonics, ancient climates, and microbial life beneath the seabed.

MY WORK: GROUP BRAND MANAGER

“We need to understand what motivates our people”

From her base in Johannesburg, South Africa, Romika Naidu helps shape the global narrative of Epiroc. As Group Brand Manager, she combines strategic thinking with a passion for inclusion and people-focused communication.

“Iwas born in South Africa, in the coastal city of Durban, and studied public relations and graphic design before stepping into the world of marketing communications. My journey has been long and winding, from PR roles in Durban and Cape Town to product management, then finally employer branding. It wasn’t something I had planned, but life has a way of opening doors when you least expect it.

When I joined Epiroc in 2020, it was to build something new – not just a brand, but a mindset. Employer branding at Epiroc isn’t a task or a department; it’s a living, breathing part of who we are as a company. My role is to lead global efforts to shape our employer brand strategy, making sure that we’re telling our story authentically.

ROMIKA NAIDU

Age: 43

Job: Group Brand Manager, Johannesburg, South Africa

Joined the company: 2020

Best part of the job:

“To meet people, learn about their experiences and convey those to other passionate people.”

WE NEED TO understand what motivates our people, what attracts new talent, and how we can position Epiroc as a leader in the mining and construction industries.

We’re not just about equipment; we’re about technology, innovation and a commitment to sustainability. We accelerate the transformation, and it all starts with people. I believe our strength lies in our culture … in how we include, listen to, and empower each other. That’s why initiatives like Water for All and our work on inclusion and diversity aren’t just checkboxes; they’re core to who we are. These programs reflect the care and responsibility we bring not only to our work but to the wider world.

WHAT MAKES THIS job special is the freedom it affords to be creative and the support to be bold. I’ve had the chance to shape global strategies, but also to stay grounded in what matters: people’s stories, ambitions and dreams. And when I’m not immersed in campaigns and strategies, I love sketching and traveling … rediscovering the simple joys of life. That balance keeps me inspired and reminds me why we do what we do at Epiroc.”

Epiroc’s greatest asset is our employees. We take pride in offering them an outlet for their creativity in order to provide the best possible value to our customers.

 Christian Tarras Ericsson

 Madelene Cronje

Romika Naidu loves the fact that her job allows her to be creative and gives her the support to be bold.

Multi-layered safety system that detects and warns the equipped vehicle’s operators and pedestrians of each other’s presence.

Safety at the highest level

The Epiroc Titan Collision Avoidance System (CAS) combines a unique range of sensing technologies, reducing accidents and creating a safer work environment above and below ground.

WORKING IN MINING means navigating an environment where dangerous scenarios can arise daily.

There’s always a risk of collision, whether between vehicles or between a vehicle and a pedestrian. That’s why advanced safety systems are essential for safer workplaces. The Epiroc Titan Collision Avoidance System (CAS) uses several sensing technologies and supports safety from Level 7, where operators and pedestrians are warned, to Level 9, where the system takes control of the vehicle and stops it automatically.

However, before implementing CAS, EMESRT Levels 1 to 6 must be firmly in place.

“A lot needs to happen before we start focusing on collision avoidance, which we see as the last resort in safety. Levels 7, 8, and 9 should only come into play if everything else fails – it shouldn’t be your go-to solution,” says Schalk Janse

van Rensburg, General Manager Epiroc Digital Safety Solutions South Africa. CAS can improve efficiency and safety but the key to success is change management. Every site and region has its own workplace culture that must be respected when introducing a new system.

Five benefits of CAS

A safer day at work

CAS prevents collisions, whether between vehicles or between a vehicle and a person, helping ensure that everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.

Smart tech for every site

With a unique mix of several sensing technologies in one system, CAS can “see” around corners, has faster response times, and has broader coverage.

“Everyone, from operator to CEO, needs to understand that the goal is to make sure everyone gets to go home safely every day,” says Janse van Rensburg.

Operators are the ones using the system daily, so their support is crucial.

“Leadership needs to take ownership

Smoother flow, less downtime

With real-time awareness of vehicle locations and clear safety protocols, CAS helps everything run more smoothly. Less waiting, more work done.

Insights lead to safer habits

The system collects valuable data you can use to spot risks, improve training, and support safer everyday behaviors.

A safety culture to believe in By rolling out CAS the right way (involving the whole team from operators to management), the organization builds a shared sense of responsibility.

Schalk Janse van Rensburg General Manager, Digital Safety Solutions, Epiroc

and walk the talk. If safety is a priority, the foundational levels need to be under control. If CAS is deployed just to tick a box, it will likely fail. Involve staff early so they feel ownership. When they understand the system is there to keep them safe, they are more likely to have a positive approach,” says Janse van Rensburg.

He recommends a gradual rollout, to allow time for adjustment and to identify early issues. Once foundational safety levels are in place, working with Levels 7 to 9 becomes a smooth process.

“Level 9 has been legally required in South Africa for two years, and the market has been leading the way. It’s great to see global alignment as clients worldwide seek effective safety solutions,” says Janse van Rensburg.

Epiroc awarded Gold Medal for sustainability efforts

Epiroc has received a Gold Medal from global sustainability ratings firm EcoVadis. This places us in the top five percent of companies assessed on their sustainability work.

ECOVADIS EVALUATED MORE

than 150 000 companies worldwide across four key areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Epiroc’s rating, an improvement from last year’s Silver Medal, reflects our commitment to and progress in our ambitious 2030 sustainability goals.

“We are very happy about the recognition. It reflects the hard work of our teams worldwide and means a lot to Epiroc,” says Erik Svedlund, Global Business Manager Sustainability.

Epiroc’s rating highlights a strong performance across several sustainability areas. The company demonstrates environmental stewardship through continuous decarbonization and resource-efficiency improvements. In the realm of labor and human rights, Epiroc is committed to main-

taining safe, fair, and inclusive workplaces. Ethical governance is underpinned by robust compliance practices, and the company’s approach to sustainable procurement emphasizes diligent supplier engagement and responsible sourcing.

EcoVadis’ ratings system is especially helpful to customers. The standardized third-party rating supports due diligence efforts, and it provides transparent comparisons in tenders and supplier qualifications for each of the four key areas.

“The rating shows customers, partners and other stakeholders that Epiroc is at the forefront when it comes to sustainability,” says Erik Svedlund, adding: “As for us, this serves as inspiration on our continued journey. We always want to improve, and hopefully we can reach Platinum level in next year’s EcoVadis rating.”

Epiroc’s 2030 sustainability goals help ensure that performance improves and that the organization is aligned to tackle important challenges and opportunities.

Erik Svedlund Global Business Manager Sustainability, Epiroc

Epiroc’s battery-electric trolley truck system at Boliden’s Kristineberg mine is one example of a solution that significantly reduces energy and emissions.

Integrated CAS technology to alert, advise and intervene in case of pending collisions, with three levels of reaction from Level 7 to 9.

 Gustaf Höök Tomas Westermark

BLAST FROM THE PAST YEAR 1964

THE ASWAN DAM , or Aswan High Dam, which stretches across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt, is one of the world’s largest embankment dams. It was built between 1960 and 1970 to better control flooding, provide increased water storage for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity. The project was one of the greatest of the 20th century and in the history of Egypt and Africa –and was made possible in part thanks to Atlas Copco compressors and drilling equipment.

During construction, the Egyptians faced many obstacles, including the location, temperature, and, most importantly, the rocky soil, which required special treatment. Only a few of Atlas

Copco’s famous compressors were presented at that time to serve in the project, but due to their high durability and brilliant design, it was decided that Atlas Copco’s portable compressors would serve and operate most of the drilling equipment in the project.

DUE TO THE creation of the dam’s reservoir, it became necessary to relocate the ancient Egyptian temple complex of Abu Simbel, which would otherwise have been submerged. In 1964, the statue of one of the stone heads of Pharaoh Ramses II at the temple was re-assembled by Atlas Copco equipment after being moved to a new location at a higher elevation.

Innovative products and a wide array of customers: Epiroc is a new company with a long and rich history dating all the way back to 1873. In each issue of Mining & Construction, we look into the rear view mirror for a glimpse of the past.

 Gustaf Höök Getty Images

The Aswan High Dam is 111 meters high, with a crest length of 3 830 meters and a volume of 44 300 000 cubic meters. When completed, it was the tallest earthen dam in the world, surpassing the Chatuge Dam in the United States.

AROUND THE WORLD IN BRIEF

Glencore’s Mount Isa Mine, Queensland, Australia. In 2024, Glencore was the mining company with the highest total revenue in the world.

GLOBALmining100

report reveals industry shifts

THE WORLD’S 100 largest mining companies in GLOBALmining100, a new landmark report by Mining Beacon, sold $946 billion worth of minerals and metals in 2024, as reported by resourcingtomorrow.com The companies were collectively valued at $1.83 trillion as of June 2025. The latest report charts a mining landscape increasingly defined by geopolitical disruption, decarbonization imperatives, and the rise of a new generation of market players. Copper and

gold were the top two minerals and metal revenue generators in 2024. Thermal coal and iron ore were other major income generators, along with bauxite, alumina and aluminum. The company with the greatest total revenue was Glencore, followed by BHP, Rio Tinto, Jiangxi Copper and Zijin Mining. Most of the companies are headquartered in Canada (25), Australia (18), China (12) and USA (12). However, only four of the 100 companies had female CEOs.

Nickel surpasses coal as Indonesia’s top export

NICKEL HAS ECLIPSED coal as Indonesia’s biggest export earner in the first half of 2025, mining.com reports, saying that this is a sign of the country’s growing dominance in the supply of the battery metal. The metal now accounts for 12 percent of Indonesia’s export earnings, driven by higher volumes that have offset languishing prices, according to an analysis from the Macquarie Group Ltd.

Beth McLoughlin Editor, Mining Magazine

Rethinking tailings risk

What prompted the report “The tailings reckoning – Why the mining sector must rethink tailings risk”?

“After incidents such as Brumadinho, it became clear that tailings management isn’t just an operational issue; it’s a governance issue. The report calls for leadership to treat tailings risk as a board-level concern. It’s about embedding accountability across the organization.”

What changes are needed to make tailings management more adaptive and integrated?

“Mining companies have made progress, but many systems still operate in silos. To truly manage risk, you need integration between environmental, geotechnical, and operational data. Adaptive planning means using that data in real time, adjusting to rainfall, seismic events, or equipment performance before small issues become major failures.”

What is the key takeaway from the report?

“The industry must embrace transparency and governance as part of everyday practice. This means being open about risks, sharing information with communities and regulators, and continuously improving. Tailings management should not only meet standards – it should build trust.”

Pinpointed

Botswana Diamonds wins licenses using AI Debswanas Jwaneng Mine, Botswana

Botswana Diamonds (BOD) has secured four new prospecting licenses, as reported by The Botswana Gazette. The company has used AI models to identify targets for minerals such as copper, silver, cobalt, gold, nickel, zinc, and platinum group metals in addition to diamond-related findings. The new licenses cover a total of 2 644 km2. The results have led BOD to revise its exploration strategy, with priority now being given to the Jwaneng area.

Pokémon theme park to open in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Plans have been announced for a 26 000 m2 Pokémon attraction at the Yomiuriland theme park in Inagi, Tokyo, globalconstructionreview.com reports. PokéPark Kanto, due to open in 2026, will be the first permanent Pokémon-themed amusement park, following temporary attractions in Nagoya and Taiwan. The park will feature 600 varieties of Pokémon in physical form, a forest with paths, tunnels and rocky trails, a market, a Pokémon gym, and a parade.

Want to keep track of what’s happening in the mining and construction industry? Visit miningandconstruction.com for links to industry news and other interesting reading.

Gualcamayo to invest in new mine and plants

Gualcamayo Mine, Argentina

The Gualcamayo gold mine in Argentina is set to invest $665M to establish a new mining project, Mining Technology reports. The mine seeks to benefit from the country’s Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). The RIGI, launched in October, aims to stimulate

investments and offers extensive tax breaks and access to international dispute courts. The plan for Gualcamayo includes the construction of a new mine, a pressure oxidation plant, and a 50MW solar park. Construction is due to begin in 2027

Microbes can lock away carbon, study finds Lausanne, Switzerland

A new study shows how the microbe Bacillus megaterium locks away carbon with remarkable efficiency, earth.com reports. Under the right conditions, it converts CO2 into solid limestone. Cement production is responsible for roughly eight percent of global CO2 emissions. Replacing part of the cement with bacteriagrown calcite could potentially shave millions of tons off the footprint while also storing carbon for centuries with a low risk of re-release.

Enhanced radio intelligence

RevelocPlus has evolved into a powerful platform for tracking and safety. Product expert Todd Boyce shares how it improves the work environment and efficiency for customers.

Describe how RevelocPlus works. What is its main purpose?

“It’s a software platform for tracking and safety management. Running as a background service connected to the radio network through APIs, it collects GPS positions and telemetry and then triggers alerts for events like speeding, geofence breaches, or lightning. RevelocPlus encompasses a lot more than the earlier Reveloc. The first version was designed for small fleets of around 100 radios. Now we’ve scaled it to manage thousands of radios at a site. Performance, reliability and functionality have all increased.”

How do customers shape development?

“Most of the continued development actually comes from customer requests. Rather than building separate versions for each customer, we’ve cre-

ated one core product where new features can be added as options or configurations. That way, improvements for one customer can benefit others as well.”

How will RevelocPlus improve customer operations?

“Much of the value is in the background. For many customers, the product is almost invisible, but it makes their operations safer and more efficient every day. The system runs quietly 24/7, monitoring data and sending out alerts when needed. Radios switch talk groups automatically as vehicles move between zones, without operators having to adjust them manually. That helps crews focus less on equipment and more on the job at hand.”

Keeps track of GPS-enabled digital radios and maps the covered area.

Sends alerts to radio operators for events such as speeding, geofence breaching, or lightning.

Runs in the background and makes everyday operation safer and easier to manage.

Switches channels automatically to keep teams informed and safe without manual intervention.

Todd Boyce Product expert, Epiroc