Epiroc Loaders for Sibanye Stillwater Support Mechanisation

Mining equipment and technology supplier Epiroc announced the order for mining equipment on 30 September. The order value was not released but the order was described as large. Deliveries are expected to begin in Q4 2026. 

Sibanye-Stillwater will use the equipment for platinum mining at the Siphumelele shaft at its Rustenburg PGM (Platinum Group Metals) operation. 

The order includes low-profile loaders and utility vehicles, designed for use in mining applications with narrow veins. Sibanye-Stillwater will use the equipment as part of its ongoing project to mechanise the operation at the Siphumelele shaft, boosting safety and productivity. 

“The investment in Siphumelele is an important example of our strategic focus on extending mine life and unlocking additional value from our existing ore reserves,” says Richard Cox, Chief Operating Officer, Southern Africa operations at Sibanye-Stillwater. 

“Epiroc's low-profile fleet is well suited to the mining conditions at Siphumelele and will support the safe and efficient execution of this strategically important project.”

Sibanye committed to expansions at Rustenburg

The Rustenburg PGM operation is one of the core operations within Sibanye-Stillwater’s South African portfolio. 

The Rustenburg Complex is a long-life, shallow and mid-level underground mining operation located on the Bushveld Complex, northeast of Rustenburg and Kroondal in the North West Province of South Africa, around 125km northwest of Johannesburg.

The South African miner is currently undertaking an extension project at the Siphulele mine shaft to facilitate the mechanised mining of reef UG2 to a depth of 980m. Production from the extension is expected to begin in March 2027.

The extension of mechanised mining was identified by Sibanye Stillwater as an operational focus during a recent Investor Presentation.  

The miner is also carrying out a pre-feasibility study on a phase 2 expansion at the mineshaft, which would extend mining down to 1,200m. 

“We are proud to support the Siphumelele operation as it starts to use mechanised equipment,” says Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s President and CEO. “It will strengthen Sibanye-Stillwater’s continuous efforts to be as safe and productive as possible.”

Epiroc digital mine planning solutions

Sibanye Stillwater was an early adopter of Epiroc’s digital mine planning solutions. Sibanye Stillwater originally deployed the MineRP platform across two of its mines before committing to introducing the mine operation service across its platinum mines in 2025. In May 2026, Epiroc announced the MineRP platform was being integrated into a wider suite of services within Epiroc’s Groundbreaking Intelligence portfolio. The portfolio now contains five purpose-built planning solutions. 

Meet the partners

Epiroc is a Sweden based mining services and technologies provider. It develops and supplies innovative and safe equipment, such as drill rigs, rock excavation and construction equipment and tools for surface and underground applications. It also offers service and other aftermarket support as well as solutions for automation, digitalisation and electrification. 

Sibanye-Stillwater is a major international precious metals mining company with operations in the Americas, Southern Africa, Europe and Australia. Originally a gold miner, the company has diversified adding platinum group metals and later lithium, copper, nickel and zinc. Since acquiring interests in lithium and nickel projects in 2021, the company has diversified into recycling in North America. More recently, the company has signed a Chrome Management Agreement with Glencore Merafe, which has resulted in significantly improved yields and reduced operating costs.