175 years at mining’s cutting edge

Founded in 1851 as a steelworks beside the River Mur, the Zeltweg site has evolved in step with underground mining itself. From early steel production to roadheaders, bolter miners, borer miners, continuous miners and today’s highly automated mechanical cutting systems, the site has remained the center of Sandvik’s mechanical cutting expertise. The anniversary offers a moment to reflect on that legacy and to explain how it continues to shape the division’s direction.

“Our factory in Zeltweg, as the headquarter of Sandvik’s Mechanical Cutting division, has been around since 1851, and in 2026 we will celebrate our 175th anniversary,” said Thomas Vallant, President – Mechanical Cutting Division at Sandvik. “What defines us is not only our history, but how we use that experience to prepare for what comes next.”

Long-term investments in capability

Over the past several years, Sandvik has made targeted investments to modernize the Zeltweg site and strengthen its role as a global competence center. These include new assembly halls, upgraded machining capabilities and a dedicated testing facility where fully assembled machines can be validated under controlled conditions.

A major addition is the hard-rock cutting test rig, which enables development and validation of next-generation cutting technologies that push beyond traditional application limits.

“We’ve invested heavily in our workshop facilities, testing environments and manufacturing capabilities,” said Vallant. “This allows us to test complete machines in a dedicated space, improving quality, safety and efficiency across the entire production flow.”

These investments reflect the long lifecycle of Sandvik’s mechanical cutting equipment; machines are designed to operate for decades, undergoing multiple rebuilds and upgrades as part of a circular, resource-efficient approach.

“Our machines are built for longevity,” Vallant explained. “From a lifecycle perspective, circularity is already embedded in how we design and support our products.”

A diversified portfolio

Today, Sandvik’s mechanical cutting portfolio spans roadheaders, bolter miners, continuous miners, borer miners, haulage systems and rubber-tired vehicles. Across these product families, the division supports a global installed base of around 430 active machines, operating in underground mines worldwide.

This breadth is matched by a growing global service and support footprint. Over the coming years, Sandvik is expanding its service, logistics and parts presence to around 10 locations worldwide, covering Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America. The aim is to support customers throughout the full lifecycle of their equipment, from commissioning to rebuilds and upgrades.

“Mechanical cutting is not just about delivering machines,” said Uwe Restner, Vice President, Product Line Management for underground continuous mining equipment. “It’s about being present over decades of operation and helping customers to continuously improve their performance.”

While coal remains a core application for mechanical cutting, particularly in markets such as China, India, the US and South Africa, Sandvik’s strategic focus is shifting toward a more balanced portfolio of commodities.

Vallant explained: “Our strategy is to distribute the business more evenly across coal, industrial minerals and selected hard-rock applications. Coal will remain important, but our strongest growth opportunities are in industrial minerals and in specific hard-rock use cases.”

Projects in potash, salt, gypsum and other industrial minerals are expanding the role of mechanical cutting. These applications benefit from continuous operation, predictable advance rates and reduced exposure of personnel to hazardous tasks, aligning productivity with safety and sustainability goals.

Technology pillars shaping the future

The division’s technology roadmap is built around three pillars: automation, digital connectivity and electrification.

Automation is central to improving both safety and productivity. Advanced machine navigation, sensing technologies and automated processes enable equipment to operate with greater precision and consistency, while reducing operator exposure.

“There’s a clear trend toward automated and eventually autonomous equipment,” Restner said. “Our focus today is building towards fully autonomous operation and machine navigation is a big part of that. When a machine knows its exact position in the tunnel and its environment, it can work in

close alignment with the mine plan.”

One of the most advanced examples is automated roof bolting. Traditionally a manual and hazardous task, bolting has now been automated on Sandvik’s latest bolter miner platforms and tested extensively.

“Automated bolting is a major step forward,” Restner added. “It improves safety, consistency and overall efficiency.”

In digital connectivity, Sandvik has developed a cloud-based production and maintenance platform tailored to mechanical cutting equipment, enabling remote access to operational data, diagnostics and maintenance planning. This supports more proactive service interventions and helps optimize machine performance over time.

Electrification, meanwhile, underpins the entire portfolio. All Sandvik mechanical cutting machines are electrically powered during operation, supporting efficient energy usage and creating a platform for future developments, including alternative power solutions where applicable.

Extending the limits of mechanical cutting

While mechanical cutting has traditionally been associated with softer rock conditions, today, Sandvik is working to extend those limits through new machine concepts and cutting technologies.

“We’re continuously extending the cutting range of our machines,” said Restner, who is closely involved in technology development within the division. “This includes developing improved cutting tools together with partners and advancing new concepts, such as the MX652 for hard-rock applications.”

The second-generation MX652 and successor of the MX650 combines alternative cutting technologies with automation and connectivity to address rock strengths beyond the economic reach of conventional cutting. Alongside this, projects such as the MN330 narrow-reef system, developed initially for Anglo American, demonstrate how mechanical cutting can be applied in highly constrained hard-rock environments with a focus on automation and reduced emissions.

“This is not about replacing existing mining methods everywhere,” Restner explained. “It’s about offering additional options where mechanical cutting can deliver clear value.”

Looking forward to the next chapter

The 175-year anniversary in 2026 will be marked at the Zeltweg site with an event that coincides with the completion of various new facilities, symbolizing continuity between heritage and future capability.

“We’re proud of our history,” Vallant said. “But our focus is on shaping the future of underground continuous mining. The investments we’re making today in people, technology and infrastructure are about creating long-term value for our customers.”

After nearly two centuries of engineering underground solutions, Sandvik’s Mechanical Cutting division continues to evolve. Guided by experience, enabled by technology and built on partnership, it’s preparing for the next generation of continuous mining.