Epiroc secures underground mining equipment order for Sibanye-Stillwater PGMs mine
Productivity and sustainability partner for the mining and infrastructure industries Epiroc has won a large order for underground mining equipment from multinational metals and mining company Sibanye-Stillwater for a platinum group metals (PGMs) mine in South Africa.
Sibanye-Stillwater will use the equipment at the Siphumelele shaft at its Rustenburg PGMs operations.
The order includes low-profile (LP) loaders and utility vehicles, designed for use in mining applications with narrow veins.
Sibanye-Stillwater will use the equipment as part of its ongoing project to mechanise the operation of the Siphumelele shaft, with the aim to boost safety and productivity.
“We are proud to support the Siphumelele operation as it starts to use mechanised equipment. It will strengthen Sibanye-Stillwater’s continuous efforts to be as safe and productive as possible,” says Epiroc CEO and president Helena Hedblom.
“The investment in Siphumelele is an important example of our strategic focus on extending mine life and unlocking additional value from our existing ore reserves. Epiroc’s low-profile fleet is well suited to the mining conditions at Siphumelele and will support the safe and efficient execution of this strategically important project,” says Sibanye-Stillwater Southern Africa operations CEO Richard Cox.
The ordered equipment includes the LHD 5.5 LP loader, UV42 utility vehicles, as well as a large range of UV42 cassettes.
Derived from Epiroc’s acquisition of AARD Mining Equipment in 2023, the LP underground equipment expands Epiroc’s presence in critical support and service applications.
The utility vehicles are designed to support general operations, maintenance and logistics below the surface. The cassettes are interchangeable work decks that mount onto the utility vehicles and strengthen the use of the UV42 vehicles.
Delivery of the equipment will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
