Epiroc’s Pit Viper blasthole drill, introduced 25 years ago, remains a flagship high‑capacity rig in large open pits, combining high power with flexible mast and hole configurations for production drilling. The platform has operated autonomously for the past decade, with fleets running driverless drill patterns and remote supervision from control centres rather than on‑bench cabins. For mine planners and drill‑and‑blast engineers, the Pit Viper’s long autonomous track record is a key reference point for integrating automated drilling into existing benches, patterns and safety envelopes.

Prairie Machine’s Flexiveyor Continuous Haulage System has received MSHA certification from the US Mining Safety and Health Administration’s Approval and Certification Center, clearing it for use in regulated underground coal operations. The modular Flexiveyor is designed to provide continuous haulage between the mining face and section belt, reducing shuttle car traffic and associated congestion in development headings. Certification opens the US underground coal market to the system, giving mine engineers an additional compliant option for redesigning panel layouts and material flows around continuous haulage.

Eldorado Gold is expanding electrified underground load-and-haul at the Lamaque Complex in Val-d’Or, Québec, with an order for 10 Sandvik battery-electric vehicles and 10 charging systems, including five TH550B 50‑t trucks and five Toro LH518iB loaders. The first two TH550B trucks were delivered in October, with the remaining three trucks and five loaders to follow, supporting a fully electric primary haulage fleet in key production areas. For mine planners and ventilation engineers, the BEVs are expected to cut diesel emissions and heat load, enabling tighter development in deeper zones.