Sandvik partners with Rana Gruber for BEV fleet in Norway

Rana Gruber has selected Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions to supply a fleet of 19 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for its iron ore operations in Storforshei in northern Norway.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions supplies a fleet of 19 battery electric vehicles to Rana Gruber
© Sandvik

The agreement underpins Rana Gruber’s aim to operate the world’s first carbon-free iron ore mine by the end of 2025. Sandvik’s second-largest battery-electric mining fleet to date will include six Sandvik TH550B trucks, five Sandvik LH518B loaders, four Sandvik DL422iE longhole drills, two Sandvik DS412iE mechanical bolters and two Sandvik DD422iE jumbos. Delivery of the equipment will begin during Q1 2023 and is planned to continue through 2024. Sandvik will also provide on-site service support and batteries.

Established in 1964, Rana Gruber produces approx. 1.8 million metric tons of iron ore concentrates annually from its five deposits in Norway’s Dunderland Valley. Its resource base includes more than 440 million metric tons of iron ore. Sandvik has supplied underground equipment to Rana Gruber for more than 25 years. The companies signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen their partnership in November 2021. Trans4Mine, Sandvik’s in-house consultancy, conducted studies and simulations to advise Rana Gruber on BEV fleet requirements, charging station locations and other mining cycle optimizations, resulting in a letter of intent in November 2022. “BEVs have demonstrated their power to reduce a mining operation’s carbon footprint,” said Mats Eriksson, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “Rana Gruber is a pioneer in the mining electrification shift in Europe, and we look forward to supporting their battery-electric transition.”