FLSmidth has signed a lifecycle agreement with Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited covering the full FLS equipment flowsheet across LMEL’s iron ore mining and metals processing operations in India. The undisclosed-value deal spans mining, comminution, classification and beneficiation equipment, shifting support from discrete spares and service orders to long-term performance-based coverage. For engineers, this signals tighter OEM involvement in asset reliability, process optimisation and wear-part planning across LMEL’s integrated iron ore value chain.

Epiroc is extending its Automatic Bit Changer (ABC), first deployed on large Pit Viper rotary drills in 2022, to its range of large down-the-hole (DTH) crawler rigs. The system automates drill bit change-out, removing manual handling at the drill string and reducing exposure around the rotary head and deck. Mines can expect shorter non-productive time during bit swaps and lower operator workload, particularly on high‑metreage production benches where frequent bit changes are required.

Sandvik’s SEK260 million expansion of its Tampere, Finland rock drill plant has reached a key phase, with the new factory area, CNC machine tools and automation systems installed and production ramp-up underway. The 2023-launched programme targets higher output of top hammer and down-the-hole drills for both underground and surface rigs, consolidating core component manufacturing at a single European hub. For mine operators and contractors, the added capacity should ease lead times on OEM drill strings and support fleet standardisation across Sandvik’s latest automated drilling platforms.