Fortescue Commits to Emission-Free Future with Electric Drill Contract
Fortescue has signed a landmark AUD 350 million agreement with Swedish manufacturer Epiroc to supply over 50 autonomous electric drill rigs.
This bold move aligns with company’s mission to eliminate emissions from its mining operations and modernise its equipment fleet.
The deal includes both electric platform drills and contour drills, with full deployment set for completion by 2030.
Electric Fleet to Replace Diesel Machines by 2030
The new drill rigs will phase out ageing diesel-powered equipment across the company’s Pilbara operations.
Once fully operational, the electric fleet will eliminate approximately 35 million litres of diesel consumption each year.
Operations will be remotely controlled from Fortescue’s Integrated Operations Centre in Perth, located more than 1500 kilometres away.
First Electric Drill Arrives at Solomon Mine
Fortescue has already received its first Epiroc Pit Viper 271 E electric drill at the Solomon mine in Western Australia.
It is expected to drill its first hole within days, marking the first time this model will operate in Australia.
Fortescue CEO: “We’re Thrilled to Join Forces with Epiroc”
Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer Dino Otranto said the partnership represents a major milestone in the company’s decarbonisation journey.
“We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Epiroc to bring cutting-edge electric mining equipment into our operations.
The deployment of this new fleet of electric drills will immediately start reducing our carbon footprint, cutting over 90,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually once the fleet is operational.”
“To decarbonise, we’re aiming to swap out around 800 pieces of heavy mining equipment with zero emissions alternatives by the end of the decade, as well as deploy 2–3GW of renewable energy and battery storage across the Pilbara.”
Epiroc: Largest Contract in Company’s History
The contract represents the largest single order in Epiroc’s history, signalling growing industry demand for electric-powered surface equipment.
Epiroc President and CEO Helena Hedblom praised Fortescue’s leadership in sustainability and technology.
“Fortescue is at the forefront of the mining industry in reducing emissions from operations and in using automation to strengthen safety and productivity, and we are proud to support them on this important effort.
“Not only is this the largest contract we have ever received, but it is also a major step forward for our electric-powered surface equipment. We look forward to contributing to Fortescue’s continued success now and in the future.”
Solar Projects Boost Renewable Energy Capacity
In addition to the electric drill deal, Fortescue is rapidly expanding its renewable energy infrastructure.
Construction is underway at its Cloudbreak site for a 190MW solar farm, expected to reduce diesel use by 125 million litres per year.
This follows the 2024 commissioning of a 100MW solar farm at North Star Junction, near the Iron Bridge project.
Combined, these solar installations support Fortescue’s commitment to zero-emissions operations and clean energy generation.
Pioneering the Path to Zero Emissions Mining
Fortescue’s investment in electric mining equipment and renewable energy marks a significant step toward zero emissions mining.
The company’s goal of replacing 800 diesel-powered machines and deploying multiple gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 demonstrates a serious commitment to sustainability.
Through this deal with Epiroc, Fortescue continues to lead the Australian mining sector into a cleaner, more autonomous future.
