Sandvik Secures 15-Machine Order For Botswana Diamond Mine

Dubai (PlantAndEquipment.com) - Sandvik has received orders to deliver 15 underground mining equipment to Lucara Diamond Corp.'s Karowe diamond mine in Botswana, helping the business transition from open pit to underground mining.

The fleet consists of five Sandvik DD321 development drills, four Toro LH517i loaders, two Toro LH621i loaders, two DD422i development drills, one DS422i cable bolter, and a DU311 longhole drill. Deliveries have already begun and are slated to continue until the fourth quarter of 2026.

The order marks a substantial equipment deployment for Botswana's mining industry, including numerous critical underground equipment categories such as development drilling, underground loading, cable bolting, and longhole drilling.

Karowe is undertaking a large underground extension to prolong the life of the high-value diamond mine into 2038. The operation is well-known worldwide for generating unusually huge diamonds, including its ninth recovery of more over 1,000 carats earlier this year.

Aside from the gear, Sandvik will supply spares, rock tools, aftermarket services, and digital support, such as My Sandvik and Remote Monitoring Service, to assist maintain equipment availability and productivity as underground operations expand.

The fleet is being funded by Sandvik Financial Services, with an export credit guarantee from Sweden's EKN. The agreement integrates equipment delivery, lifecycle support, and finance into a larger package for Lucara's underground investment.