Epiroc prides itself on innovation, which is ingrained in its DNA.

Amit Randive
Business Line Manager - Digital Solutions Division, Epiroc Mining India

What are the current trends in the mining equipment market that you believe are shaping the industry?

The mining equipment market is driven by several key trends. Epiroc collaborates with customers to help them identify and leverage these trends, with the shared goal of achieving sustainable mining. The future of mining lies in automation, safety, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making. Epiroc is committed to making this transformation a reality alongside its customers.

•     Safety: Minimizing the risk of accidents involving people and machines is crucial. Epiroc offers state-of-the-art, customizable safety solutions tailored to each customer’s needs. These innovations ensure that all mining operations scenarios are considered.

•     Operational Excellence: Increasing mine productivity while reducing costs is key. Epiroc promotes a “true north” approach, creating a transparent and single view for all stakeholders to avoid duplication of effort. Automation and AI are central to optimizing operations and predicting outcomes.

•     Data-Driven Decisions: Epiroc’s intelligent systems allow customers to focus on the relevant data and make timely decisions based on insights. With more machines generating data than ever, managing this effectively is critical.

With recent acquisitions in technology and digitalization, Epiroc aims to help customers on their sustainability journey, focusing on holistic, interoperable solutions that integrate seamlessly with various equipment and software vendors.

What products or solutions are you showcasing at IMME? What is your focus during the exhibition?

Epiroc has organized its solutions into six key areas to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. At IMME, Epiroc is focusing on several key interest areas based on customer interactions:

•     Automation Solutions: Epiroc offers OEM-agnostic automation solutions through RCT, with over 52 years of experience and 1,600 installations worldwide. Epiroc provides four levels of automation, from basic line-of-sight to multi-fleet automation, with a focus on safety and productivity.

•     Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS): Epiroc’s Mernok-powered CAS provides Level 9 safety standards, supporting all mining fleet types and offering features like license and traffic management with analytics tools.

•     Fleet Management Solutions: These solutions interface with any OEM and any model, offering flexibility and efficiency in fleet operations.

•     Mine Planning to Execution Tools: MineRP provides a digital platform for seamless integration, allowing all functions to work simultaneously, from planning to execution.

•     Situational Awareness: Epiroc’s MiningTag and Mobilaris solutions help customers manage operations with precision and control.

How does your company differentiate itself from competitors in the mining and machinery sector?

Epiroc prides itself on innovation, which is ingrained in its DNA. Despite being a 152-year-old company, Epiroc operates like a startup, continuously driving industrial transformation. The company consistently invests in R&D, while also growing through acquisitions.

In India, Epiroc’s global R&D Centre, the Epiroc Innovation and Technology Centre in Bengaluru, supports worldwide research requirements. Many of the technologies Epiroc brings to the industry are pioneering innovations, making the company a preferred partner for customers due to its focus on sustainability and cutting-edge solutions.

In what ways do your products address environmental concerns and sustainability during mining operations?

Sustainability is a core value for Epiroc, and the company aligns its internal targets with the Paris Agreement for sustainability and CO2 neutrality. Epiroc ensures that its operations, transport, and product use are conducted sustainably.

Epiroc provides ESG dashboards and control towers, enabling customers to monitor their sustainability objectives closely. By combining environmental stewardship with cutting-edge technology, Epiroc helps customers meet both their business and sustainability goals.

What are your expectations for participating in IMME 2024? How do you plan to engage with visitors and stakeholders at the exhibition?

Epiroc aims to engage with stakeholders to understand their needs and ambitions and to inform them about industry trends that drive transformation. Sharing ideas and concepts is vital to aligning Epiroc’s innovations with customer needs. Through this engagement, Epiroc hopes to foster collaborations that enhance mining operations and sustainability.

What future trends do you foresee in mining, and how is your company preparing for these changes?

The Indian mining market is undergoing a transformation, with an emphasis on meeting and surpassing global benchmarks. Government policies are also driving this change, positioning the Indian mining sector for growth. Technology and modern operational approaches are becoming increasingly important.

Epiroc is preparing by offering OEM-agnostic solutions that integrate technology and automation. With the strength of its acquisitions, Epiroc is poised to lead this transformation quickly, ensuring that customers are equipped with the best solutions for future challenges.

What are the major challenges and opportunities in the mining equipment space?

In the mining equipment space, both challenges and opportunities are shaping the industry’s future:

Challenges

•     Safety and Environmental Concerns: Mining operations are hazardous, with risks to workers and significant environmental impacts. The industry faces growing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and adopt sustainable practices.

•     Technological Integration: Adopting automation, AI, and digital technologies presents challenges in training personnel and managing costs. Cybersecurity is also a growing concern as digital tools become more prevalent.

•     Resource Depletion: As ore deposits become harder to access, mining operations become more complex and expensive.

•     Geopolitical and Regulatory Pressures: Rising resource nationalism and tightening environmental regulations make long-term planning more difficult.

Opportunities

•     Automation and AI: Automation technologies like autonomous trucks, remote-operated drills, and AI-driven systems can enhance safety, productivity, and operational efficiency.

•     Sustainability and Electrification: As mining companies seek to reduce carbon footprints, the demand for electric and hybrid equipment is growing, offering opportunities for OEMs to develop energy-efficient machinery.

•     Big Data and Digital Twins: These technologies enable real-time monitoring and optimization of operations, helping reduce equipment failures and maximize asset utilization. Epiroc’s integrated digital solutions provide significant opportunities for enhancing efficiency.