REBUILDS
by far the biggest market, though we are seeing a big increase in rebuilds for our Pit Viper surface drill fleet. Interestingly we are also seeing rebuild demand in the quarrying sector today – for example on the SmartROC T35. Mining has always carried out rebuilds and refurbs but now in the aggregrate, quarrying and industrial minerals sector they are seeing the value too and of course they want a better TCO as well.”
With some of its largest customers like underground contractor Byrnecut, for some years now Epiroc has been partnering on a Zero Hour Rebuild Program. This covers a full rebuild after the machine has run for about 30,000- 32,000 hours. It has already had a midlife rebuild in the middle of this range and is now having a full rebuild at the end of its previously defined life. With this program, Epiroc has been able to reuse on average 90 % of the original Byrnecut machines, integrating remanufactured components that consume 55 % less energy. Epiroc states:“ This sustainable approach not only aligns with our corporate ethos but also strengthens our partnership with Byrnecut, galvanising our shared values of sustainability and responsible business conduct. Together, we champion a cleaner, greener future.”
Byrnecut has a large fleet of over 30 Minetruck MT65 trucks ranging from redeliveries including a fleet of Minetruck MT65 S models for use at Liontown Resources’ Kathleen Valley lithium project, for which a fifth unit arrived in December 2025, to the older machines – pre-2017- that are benefitting from this rebuild partnership.
How Sandvik turns first‐life assets into second‐life value
As inflation continues to be an issue in the mining industry, CFOs and mine managers analyse every dollar or euro spent on CAPEX or OPEX. Sandvik Parts and Services OEMcertified rebuilds and repairs it says offer some relief with lower cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle, while also extending asset life and bringing a fleet up to the latest safety, digital and productivity standards.
The customisable plans combine Sandvik technician’ s machine expertise with supply chain resilience and data driven maintenance, all of which maximise fleet uptime, safety and productivity throughout the life of the mine.
Sandvik told IM:“ Rebuilds allow mines to reset the clock on their trucks, loaders and drills at a much lower cost than new equipment CAPEX. Sandvik offers a variety of Reborn and Custom Rebuild programs to restore selected models to like-new conditions with genuine OEM parts as well as predictable lead times, comprehensive
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Before and after images of a Sandvik TH663i rebuilt at its facility in Kumasi, Ghana
testing, certification and commissioning”. Some plans also offer a‘ warranty as new’ or integration of the latest safety and digital upgrades, including telematics readiness.
Sandvik uses pre-engineered kits and modules and has an extensive parts supply network of six global logistics hubs and over 200 in-country warehouses. While this shortens turnaround, it also ensures that the machine is serviced by local technicians, who are familiar with not just the equipment but the mining conditions in which they operate. The machine is stripped down to the base chassis and rebuilt to spec, with an extensive machine acceptance test before returning to service.
Sandvik says when you bring its equipment to one of its OEM rebuild workshops, you have a Sandvik specialist with you every step of the way, offering maximum transparency of the process. Samuel Lartey Oppey, Sandvik Rebuild Workshop supervisor in Kumasi, Ghana says when it’ s time for a rebuild, it starts with a technician visiting the mine in person.“ At the mine site, we first do an extensive series of mechanical and electrical tests, as well as a test drive in its real-world operating conditions, before we even make an initial report.”
From there, the team consults with the customer, who receives a detailed report with a suggested rebuild plan. Sandvik officials then review and refine the plan with the customer before agreeing on scope and pricing. Each plan is customised and itemised. Once approved, the machine is brought to the workshop where it is disassembled for the full rebuild.
And while the Ghana workshop started their work doing custom rebuilds of some of the large Toro™ trucks, they’ ve now set the standard.“ We actually have been using Ghana’ s TH663i rebuild kits as the template as we move to expand our large truck rebuild offerings. It’ s one of our most popular trucks and they’ ve just really done a great job with the rebuilds,” said Tomi Järvi, Portfolio Manager for Rebuilds and Upgrades.
In the last five years of rebuilds, the Ghana workshop has had zero comebacks for further repairs on their Toro™ TH663i dump truck midlife rebuilds, with them finishing 30 truck rebuilds within the last five years. In 2025 alone, the team completed nine TH663i truck midlife rebuilds, the highest number ever for any particular year in the history of the workshop. In 2026, the team has planned to double this number.
Isaac Kumi-Asare, Service Manager – Workshop, Warranty and Training at the Sandvik Rebuild Workshop in Pakyi, Kumasi, adds that predictable lead times
International Mining | FEBRUARY 2026