SOUTH AFRICA —Epiroc AB has secured a major order for underground mining equipment from precious metals producer Sibanye-Stillwater to support operations at the Siphumelele platinum shaft, located within its Rustenburg operations in South Africa. Deliveries of the machinery are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. Sweden-based Epiroc AB is a leading global productivity and sustainability partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, offering innovative drill rigs, rock excavation equipment, and digital automation tools. South Africa-headquartered Sibanye-Stillwater is a major multinational precious metals mining group and a dominant worldwide producer of platinum, palladium, and gold.
The agreement encompasses the supply of specialized low-profile equipment, including LHD 5.5 LP low-profile loaders, UV42 utility vehicles, and a comprehensive range of interchangeable UV42 cassettes. Designed specifically for narrow-vein underground mining applications, the utility vehicles will support general logistics, maintenance, and subsurface operations. The interchangeable cassettes provide versatile transportation solutions for workforce deployment, tools, and explosives. Sibanye-Stillwater will deploy the equipment as part of its ongoing capital program to fully mechanize the Siphumelele shaft, aiming to significantly enhance operational productivity while elevating underground workplace safety.
Mechanization projects across Southern Africa's deep-level mining operations represent a strategic shift toward modernizing conventional labor-intensive extraction methods. By transitioning narrow-vein platinum operations to mechanized low-profile fleets, mining majors can mitigate sub-surface hazards, standardize production cycles, and reduce operational downtime. Furthermore, this contract highlights the ongoing integration of technology acquired from Epiroc's 2023 purchase of AARD Mining Equipment, reinforcing the manufacturer's foothold in critical underground support infrastructure across core African mining jurisdictions.
For resource companies and investors, the capital investment into the Siphumelele shaft underlines Sibanye-Stillwater's strategic emphasis on extending the productive lifespan of its existing ore reserves rather than pursuing high-risk greenfield developments. Mechanizing underground assets preserves long-term margin resilience against fluctuating precious metal prices and rising operational overheads. Equipment manufacturers and service suppliers capable of delivering tailored, narrow-vein solutions remain exceptionally well-positioned as precious metal producers continuously optimize brownfield assets across major global mineral basins.
