KEY POINTS
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Northern Star Resources has ordered 25 underground mining machines from Sandvik for its operations in Western Australia.
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The order includes 14 loaders, 10 underground trucks and one development jumbo.
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Deliveries are expected to begin in June 2027 and continue through early 2028.
Northern Star Resources, Australia’s largest gold miner, has selected multinational engineering company Sandvik to supply 25 units of underground mining equipment for its operations in Western Australia.
The order is aimed at supporting the company’s underground mining activities as it operates gold mines across Australia and Alaska. The equipment is designed to work in demanding underground conditions, where reliability, productivity and ease of maintenance are important to mining operations.
According to Mining Weekly, the order comprises 14 Toro LH621i loaders, 10 Toro TH663i underground trucks and one Sandvik DD422i development jumbo.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in June 2027 and continue through early 2028. The phased delivery programme will allow the equipment to arrive over an extended period rather than all at once.
The announcement strengthens the business relationship between Northern Star and Sandvik, a global supplier of mining equipment and engineering solutions.
Order Includes Loaders, Trucks and a Development Jumbo
The largest part of the order consists of 14 Toro LH621i loaders and 10 Toro TH663i trucks.
Loaders are used to collect and move broken rock and ore from underground mining areas, while underground trucks transport the material to designated locations for further handling or processing.
The order also includes a Sandvik DD422i development jumbo, a machine used to drill holes in rock during the development of underground mine tunnels.
These different types of equipment perform complementary roles in underground mining. Loaders and trucks support the movement of mined material, while development jumbos help prepare underground workings for mining activities.
Together, the machines are expected to support Northern Star’s underground operations, although the company has not disclosed specific production targets or quantified productivity improvements linked to the order.
Equipment Offers Connectivity and Automation Readiness
Sandvik’s Toro-branded equipment is designed for demanding underground mining environments and incorporates connectivity, real-time analytics and automation readiness.
These features can help mining operators monitor equipment performance, access operational information and identify maintenance needs. Better access to equipment data can also support decisions aimed at reducing downtime and improving the use of machinery.
Maintainability is another feature highlighted in the report. Equipment that is easier to service can help mining companies manage maintenance requirements and keep operations running efficiently.
However, the report does not state whether Northern Star intends to introduce automated operations using the new machines or specify the expected financial benefits of the technology.
Northern Star Operates Mines in Australia and Alaska
Northern Star operates three production centres, with open-pit and underground gold mines in Kalgoorlie and Yandal in Western Australia, as well as the Pogo gold mine in Alaska.
The company’s operations include different mining environments, making dependable equipment important to its production activities.
Sandvik’s local teams will work with Northern Star throughout equipment delivery, commissioning and ongoing lifecycle management. This support is intended to help integrate the machinery into the company’s operations and provide assistance over the equipment’s working life.
Northern Star’s in-house mining services division will be responsible for operating and maintaining the machines.
The arrangement gives Northern Star direct responsibility for the equipment’s day-to-day use and maintenance, while Sandvik provides support during delivery, commissioning and the equipment lifecycle.
The order highlights continued investment in underground mining
