Sandvik to deliver loaders, trucks for Oyu Tolgoi underground ramp-up

As underground operations ramp up at Oyu Tolgoi, Sandvik Mining is supplying 17 loaders and two trucks to support the copper-gold mine in Mongolia’s South Gobi Desert.

The underground equipment supply includes eight Toro® LH410 loaders, seven Toro® LH515i loaders, two Toro® LH517i loaders and two Toro® TH551i trucks. Deliveries are slated to begin in October 2025 and continue through November 2026.

One of the world’s largest known copper-gold deposits, Oyu Tolgoi is jointly owned by Rio Tinto (66 percent) and the Government of Mongolia (34 percent). The operation started as an open pit mine in 2011, with sustainable underground production commencing in March 2023.

With open pit and underground block cave operations, Oyu Tolgoi is ramping up to become the world's fourth largest copper mine. The company said the ramp up of production from Oyu Tolgoi remains on track to deliver an average of around 500,000 tonnes of copper from 2028 to 2036.

“The underground development of Oyu Tolgoi plays a vital role in global copper supply towards greater decarbonization and electrification,” said Steffan Herselman, General Manager Underground Operations at Oyu Tolgoi. “Though continued positive results with our ongoing trials of Sandvik battery-electric vehicles are taking place, until we are operationally ready and have the required infrastructure to support a BEV fleet, the need to invest in proven, conventional underground load and haul technology is required for the ramp up.”

Sandvik is the sole supplier of loaders and trucks at Oyu Tolgoi. The mine currently operates a fleet of 58 Sandvik loaders, trucks, and bolters.

Sandvik loaders and trucks have consistently delivered industry-leading performance for Oyu Tolgoi. They combine powerful, reliable operation with minimal downtime, delivering cost efficiency and helping to maintain peak productivity even in demanding conditions.

For further information, please contact:
Carl Daintree
Global Account Manager
Sandvik Mining
Email: carl.daintree@sandvik.com

Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a global, high-tech engineering group providing solutions that enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability for the manufacturing, mining and infrastructure industries. We are at the forefront of digitalization and focus on optimizing our customers’ processes. Our world-leading offering includes equipment, tools, services and digital solutions for machining, mining, rock excavation and rock processing. In 2024 the Group had approximately 41,000 employees and revenues of about 123 billion SEK in about 150 countries within continuing operations.

Sandvik Mining
Sandvik Mining is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, parts, service, digital solutions and sustainability-driving technologies for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, loading and hauling, tunneling and quarrying. In 2024, sales were approximately 64 billion SEK with about 17,000 employees.