Original-equipment manufacturer Epiroc has won a large order from mining contractor JCHX Mining and Construction for equipment to be used at an underground mine that is reopening in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“We look forward to supporting JCHX in making operations at the Kipushi mine as safe and productive as possible,” Epiroc president and CEO Helena Hedblom says.

JCHX has ordered several Epiroc loaders, mine trucks and drill rigs, including service support, for use at the Kipushi zinc, copper, germanium and silver mine in the Haut-Katanga province in southern DRC.

“JCHX has been a customer of Epiroc for many years, both in Africa and Europe, and we are pleased to continue delivering innovative solutions that will help to optimise operations at Kipushi,” Epiroc underground division president Sami Niiranen says.

After decades of production the mine closed for care and maintenance in 1994. Construction started last year to reopen the mine, with late 2024 as a target to start production.

The equipment order is valued at about $17-million and was booked in the first quarter of this year.

“From the group headquarters to the front-line team, Epiroc sets the highest priority on this equipment order, also when it comes to on-site technical support,” JCHX international division president Youcheng Wang says.

The ordered equipment, manufactured in Sweden, includes Scooptram ST14 loaders, Minetruck MT42 haul trucks and Simba production drill rigs.

The Scooptram and Minetruck machines will be equipped with Epiroc’s telematics system Certiq, which allows for intelligent monitoring of machine performance and productivity in real-time, as well as with Epiroc’s Rig Control System, which makes them ready for automation and remote control.

The Kipushi mine is owned by Kipushi Corporation – a joint venture between Canadian firm Ivanhoe Mines and DRC State-owned mining company Gécamines. The mine will be powered by renewable hydro-generated electricity.

Delivery will start soon and continue into early 2024.