Epiroc AB (STO:EPI-A), a Swedish manufacturer of mining and construction equipment, has secured the largest order in its history, signing a five-year contract worth AUD350m (SEK2.2bn) to supply autonomous and electric-powered surface mining equipment to Fortescue (ASX:FMG) in Australia, the company announced on Wednesday.

An initial portion of approximately SEK100m is expected to be booked in the second quarter of 2025.

Technology, energy and metals group Fortescue, one of the world's largest iron ore producers, will deploy Epiroc's cable-electric Pit Viper 271 E and battery-electric SmartROC D65 BE drill rigs at its iron ore mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. These machines will operate fully autonomously and be monitored remotely from Fortescue's Integrated Operations Centre in Perth.

The fleet is expected to eliminate approximately 35 million litres of diesel consumption annually, contributing to a reduction of over 90,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

This collaboration supports Fortescue's broader decarbonisation strategy, which includes replacing around 800 diesel-powered units with zero-emission alternatives and deploying 2-3 GW of renewable energy and battery storage in the Pilbara.

The Pit Viper 271 E, manufactured in Texas, USA, delivers high performance with zero emissions and features a patented cable feed system that reduces operational costs. The SmartROC D65 BE, built in Örebro, Sweden, leverages Epiroc's experience in underground battery technology and intelligent surface drilling solutions.