The Boltec E10 from Epiroc AB - battery-electric bolting for narrow tunnels

Reviewed: ad hoc news Lifestyle & Consumer desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-26, 09:44. Details in the imprint.

The Boltec E10 from Epiroc rolls into a low tunnel, its electric motor humming quietly while hydraulic arms press steel bolts into the rock above your head. A yellow chassis brushes against rough walls, and the operator watches from a safe distance via remote control.

Battery bolting in tight spaces

The Boltec E10 is Epiroc’s latest battery-electric rock bolter for narrow-vein and small-profile underground mines, built on the company’s updated mid-size platform. The rig is designed for tunnel profiles around 3.5 to 5 meters high, where conventional machines struggle to maneuver. The compact carrier keeps length and width in check, while the boom geometry still reaches the back and walls from a single setup point.

Epiroc equips the Boltec E10 with a high-torque electric driveline and battery pack that eliminates diesel exhaust at the face, supporting mines targeting all-electric operations. According to Epiroc’s product manager Mikael Andersson, the battery pack can be opportunity-charged between cycles and delivers a full shift of typical bolting in many applications, depending on ground conditions and pattern.

Automation and operator safety

The Boltec E10 comes prepared for Epiroc’s Boltec Auto Bolt Reload system, which lets the operator reload bolts from the cabin without stepping underneath unsupported ground. A magazine system handles multiple bolts in sequence, reducing manual handling and speeding up the bolting cycle. Customers can also configure different bolt types and resin or cement cartridges depending on their rock support design.

For mines that want to move operators away from the face entirely, the rig supports Epiroc’s RCS-based tele-remote control and can be supervised from a control room at a safe distance. On a noisy level, that means the person steering the boom may only hear a low hydraulic hiss through their headset instead of the harsh clatter of the face.

Charging, power and emissions

Epiroc states that the Boltec E10 battery system can be charged from standard mine electrical infrastructure, with fast-charging options when the rig is idle. In typical use the carrier drives and tramming are battery-powered, while drilling and bolting rely on an onboard power cable, minimizing battery drain during long cycles. This hybrid approach fits mines that are electrifying step by step rather than replacing all infrastructure overnight.

By eliminating diesel fumes at the face, the Boltec E10 helps reduce the need for heavy ventilation flows in narrow headings, which can be a significant energy cost for underground mines. Cleaner air also directly benefits crews working with mesh, bolts and shotcrete around the rig during a shift.

How it fits into Epiroc’s range

The Boltec E10 sits alongside Epiroc’s larger Boltec M10 and M10 S rigs but targets smaller tunnel sections and narrow-vein segments where every centimeter of width matters. Compared with the diesel Boltec variants, the battery carrier cuts local CO2 emissions to zero at the point of operation, aligning with mining majors’ 2030 climate targets. The rig is part of a broader Epiroc battery-electric portfolio that includes loaders like the Scooptram ST14 Battery and trucks such as the Minetruck MT42 Battery.

In a recent product video, Epiroc’s underground division head Sami Niiranen described battery-electric and automated support rigs as a key lever for safer, smarter mines focused on carbon reduction. For mine planners, the Boltec E10 offers a bridge technology: they can retain existing ground support methods while plugging a new drive concept into established fleets.

Context for investors and listing

Epiroc AB positions its battery-electric bolters as growth drivers in new and existing underground projects where regulators and owners demand lower emissions and better air quality. On the market side, Epiroc AB shares (ISIN SE0015658109) are primarily listed on Nasdaq Stockholm in Swedish kronor, with additional trading venues such as Turquoise in London quoting the A share.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.