Australian-based gold miner Newcrest has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish company Epiroc to adopt a comprehensive approach to the mining process at the former’s mining projects.

The partnership will utilise Epiroc's portfolio of automation, digitalisation and electrification technologies to address the entire mining process holistically at many of Newcrest's mines.

Epiroc Underground division senior customer success manager Lars Bergkvist said: “This clearly marks the next phase of our already strong partnership with Newcrest. With a solution-focused and value-driven mindset, our shared ambition is to develop future solutions and implement our proven technologies in Newcrest’s operations.”

Newcrest operates several mines in Australia, Canada and Papua New Guinea.

Newcrest directional studies and innovation group manager Tony Sprague said: “The mining industry’s future will be forged through partnerships, not solitary efforts.”

Epiroc’s Underground division global sales and marketing vice-president Sarah Hoffman said the collaborative partnerships will help drive progress while ensuring successful implementation of system-level innovations to boost safety, cost-efficiency and productivity.

Hoffman added: “This really is about creating win-win outcomes for everyone involved.”

In May this year, Newmont signed an agreement to acquire Newcrest Mining in a deal worth A$26.2bn ($16.8bn). The deal implies an enterprise value of A$28.8bn and an equity value of A$26.2bn to Newcrest.

Last month, Epiroc was selected by Kamoa Copper to supply mining equipment for the Kamoa-Kakula copper mining complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This contract covers machines such as Minetruck MT65 S haulers, Scooptram ST18 S loaders, Boomer 282 face drilling rigs and Simba E70 S production drilling rigs.