Shaping the future of mining in Australia and beyond

What makes Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea such a strategically important sales area for Sandvik globally?

This region plays a critical role globally for several reasons. It’s a major producer of key commodities such as iron ore, copper, gold and coal, as well as an increasingly important source of critical minerals. The scale and diversity of production alone make it highly significant.

Just as importantly, Australia and New Zealand have a long history as early adopters of emerging mining technologies. Many innovations developed and proven here go on to influence mining practices around the world. At the same time, markets such as Papua New Guinea are growing rapidly, while New Zealand is seeing renewed momentum. Together, this creates a dynamic region that not only delivers volume but also drives innovation and future opportunities for Sandvik globally.

What does market leadership mean to you in this region?

Market leadership goes beyond market share. It’s defined by how we’re perceived by our customers and the industry as a whole. For Sandvik, it means leading in the areas that matter most - safety, productivity, sustainability and innovation. It also reflects how we operate as a business, from governance and compliance to the way we engage with customers and communities.

Ultimately, leadership is about trust. It’s about consistently demonstrating that we can deliver value while acting responsibly and helping to move the industry forward.

The mining industry is evolving rapidly. How is Sandvik positioned to help customers improve productivity, safety and sustainability?

Mining companies today are navigating geopolitical uncertainty, cost pressures, supply chain challenges and skills shortages. These are complex, long-term issues that require strong and reliable partners. Sandvik is well positioned to support customers through this environment. Our global supply network provides resilience, while our high-performing equipment, combined with digital solutions and automation, helps customers improve productivity and efficiency.

Safety is another key focus. By advancing automation and enabling zero-entry mining, we’re helping remove people from high-risk environments. At the same time, our technologies support customers in improving efficiency and reducing their environmental footprint.

How would you describe the maturity of customers in this region when it comes to automation, digitalization and electrification?

Customers across the region are at different stages of maturity. Large Tier 1 mining companies are already well advanced, particularly in automation and digitalization, and are increasingly focused on integrating these technologies across their operations. Mid-tier customers are often earlier in the journey. They have strong interest and capability but are looking for the right partners to support implementation and scale-up.

Overall, it’s a highly engaged market with a clear appetite for adopting new technologies, even if the pace varies between customers and locations.

What role do automation and digital technologies play in your strategy for the sales area?

Automation and digitalization are central to our 2030 strategy. They’re key enablers of productivity, safety and sustainability across our customers’ operations. There is a clear shift toward removing people from hazardous environments and moving toward zero-entry mining. Supporting that transition is a major priority for Sandvik.

At the same time, our ambition is to position ourselves not only as an equipment supplier, but as a long-term technology partner, helping customers unlock value through data, connectivity and advanced solutions.

The Australian market is highly competitive. What differentiates Sandvik’s offering?

Australia is one of the most competitive mining markets in the world, with both global and local players competing strongly. Sandvik’s strength lies in the combination of high-performing equipment, comprehensive aftermarket support and an expanding portfolio of digital and automation solutions.

What truly sets us apart, however, is our people. Their deep application knowledge and close customer relationships enable us to understand specific challenges and deliver the right solutions.

How do you strengthen partnerships while balancing commercial performance with responsible business practices?

Strong partnerships are built over time, and we benefit from long-standing relationships across the region. Today, the focus is on getting even closer to our customers and understanding their evolving needs in a more complex operating environment.

At the same time, being a responsible business partner is fundamental. This includes how we operate, how we meet regulatory requirements and how we contribute to local communities. We’re actively investing in initiatives, such as working with First Nations businesses and supporting local communities. These efforts reflect both customer expectations and our own commitment to doing business the right way.

How do you reinforce a strong safety culture across your teams?

Safety is our top priority, and it requires constant attention. That is why visible leadership is so important. Leaders must be present, engaged and accountable.

At the same time, everyone has a role to play. Our people need to feel empowered to speak up and act if something is not safe. Equally important is fostering a culture of transparency, where we acknowledge mistakes, learn from them and continuously improve, both in our own operations and on customer sites.

How is Sandvik supporting customers’ transition toward more sustainable operations?

Sustainability is about much more than emissions; it spans the entire value chain. From a product perspective, we’re advancing electrification and improving efficiency to help reduce emissions, particularly in underground mining. We’re also advancing circularity initiatives, including the recycling of scarce materials such as carbide within our rock tools business.

At the same time, we focus on how we operate as a company. For instance, how we source materials, manage waste, power our operations and develop our people. We are making strong progress, and importantly, we’re having focused and meaningful conversations with customers about sustainability. Together, we’re building momentum in the right areas.

Looking ahead five years, what are the biggest opportunities and how will the sales area evolve to capture them?

Mining operations are becoming more complex, with deeper orebodies and increasing demand for minerals. Technology will be a key driver of opportunity. Automation, digitalization and electrification will continue to reshape the industry, helping address skills shortages while improving productivity and safety.

At the same time, there’s a significant installed base of existing equipment that will continue to play a vital role. The transition to new technologies will take time. Our focus is therefore on balancing both, supporting legacy fleets while introducing new solutions in a structured and effective way. By doing so, we can help customers navigate this transition and unlock long-term value.