RE: Dutch Lithium Supplier seeks to bypass China (Reuters)25 Mar 2026 05:38
Good spot IB.
Epiroc – whose name means ‘in the rock’ and which operates in the mining industry by supplying surface and underground drilling and mining equipment, transport and loading equipment, hydraulic accessories and drill steel – is another Swedish company that sees opportunities in Portugal.
With a presence in the country at its headquarters in Oeiras and in Aljustrel, where it has a service centre, the company works directly with the country’s largest mine, Somincor – Sociedade Mineira de Neves-Corvo, acquired by the Swedish firm Boliden in November 2024. It is also present at Almina Aljustrel and is part of the Linha Ruby project for the Porto Metro.
As explained by Ola Kinnander, media relations officer for the company, which currently employs 52 people in Portugal, Epiroc remains on the lookout for new business opportunities in the country. When asked whether the company would be interested in work on the Lisbon Metro, he was unequivocal: “We would always be interested.”
Currently involved in innovative projects, such as the creation of the largest autonomous mine in Australia through the conversion of Roy Hill, Epiroc has also been investing in electrification, with the development of batteries, and in automation. With its headquarters built atop an artificial mine, which operates from a shelter constructed in 1938, the company uses the 3.3-kilometre tunnel to test its drilling machines.
Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Ola Kinnander acknowledges that “it is an important area where there are many business opportunities” and a region where the company wants to establish a presence and grow. However, in light of the war in Iran, for the time being, it will wait and see how things develop.
Epiroc must be in the running to be involved with SAV's "BLP" Barroso mine when its construction gets underway, also being involved in Australia, it ties in through SAVs heritage (the late David Archer started SAV there, under a previous name) and "Aussie" Dale Ferguson's mining connections.