Mining and infrastructure industries productivity and sustainability company Epiroc has won a large order from global mining company MMG for underground equipment for a major copper mine in Botswana.

MMG is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and its major shareholder is Chinese State-owned company China Minmetals.

Together with mining contractors China Huaye and 23MCC – also subsidiaries of China Minmetals – MMG ordered a fleet of Epiroc face drilling rigs, production drilling rigs, cable bolting rigs, loaders and mine trucks.

The machine fleet will support the expansion of the Khoemacau copper mine, a major underground mine located in the Kalahari Copper Belt in north-west Botswana.

The equipment order is valued at around SKr610-million ($64-million) and was booked in the third quarter.

Epiroc will also provide a remote-control solution for the loaders, as well as spare parts, tools and on-site service.

“Epiroc has a long-standing cooperation with MMG, China Huaye and 23MCC,” says Epiroc president and CEO Helena Hedblom.

“We are proud to be a trusted partner to Chinese mining companies as they expand and operate internationally. This commitment is part of our broader mission to support customers across the globe with leading technology and expertise. With this supply of advanced underground equipment for the Khoemacau expansion in Botswana, we look forward to helping MMG enhance productivity, efficiency and safety,” she adds.

Epiroc is continuing its build-out of aftermarket facilities in Botswana to support customers’ operations in the region.

Epiroc also supports MMG’s collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Higher Education to develop the country’s future mining workforce through the new Centre of Mining Excellence hosted at Maun Technical College.

“I believe this fleet from Epiroc, including important on-site technical support, will significantly enhance our underground mining productivity and safety in Botswana. With partners like Epiroc, MMG will also continue to build a local talent pipeline with skilled mining professionals and a sustainable future for Botswana,” says MMG Africa operations president Xia Weiquan.

The ordered equipment includes the Boomer M20 S face drilling rig, the Simba E70 S ITH production drilling rig, the Cabletec M10 S cable bolting rig, the Scooptram ST18 S loader and the Minetruck MT65 S.

The “S” indicates the machines are part of the Smart series, being ready for automation and remote control.

Epiroc will also provide customised training programmes and simulators, as well as on-site services and parts inventory to ensure maximum performance of this large-scale mining operation.

Delivery of the equipment will start in the fourth quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2028.