Sandvik is set to supply automated loaders, undergrounds drills and rock tools to Liontown Resources’ Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia.
The deal was struck with major mining contractor Byrnecut, who was awarded a $1 billion contract by Liontown to progress the site to production.
Last week, underground mining operations took off with the firing of the first blast to create underground portals at the Mount Mann pit.
Sandvik will supply Byrnecut with seven Toro LH621i loaders with AutoMine, three Sandvik DD422i development drills with dual controls and a Sandvik DS422i cable bolter, as well as a range of tools over the next four years.
“Byrnecut and Sandvik have a long history of collaboration on projects across the country and we’re delighted that Byrnecut is once again investing significantly in Sandvik equipment and rock tools for this major project,” Sandvik Australia and New Zealand sales area vice president Wayne Scrivens said.
“This deal highlights the growing understanding across the Australian mining sector that Sandvik’s advanced solutions help mines run safer, more efficiently and more sustainably.”
Sandvik’s Toro LH621i underground loaders are engineered for rapid mine development and large-scale underground production. Smart boom geometry optimises hydraulic power for fast bucket filling and the handling of large rocks.
Under AutoMine Multi-Lite an operator can remotely control and simultaneously supervise multiple Toro LH621i loaders, reducing exposure to dust, noise, vibrations and other mine hazards.
When used in combination with Sandvik’s dual controls package, the DD422i face drills can be used for a variety of underground applications including boring, bolting and meshing.
The deal will also include carbide recycling through Sandvik’s carbide recycling program.
Byrnecut is investing $125 million in new equipment for the project, with first production targeted for mid-2024.
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