At Muruntau, one of the world’s largest gold mines, located in Uzbekistan, operator Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC) says it continues to strengthen its drilling fleet with the introduction of modern high-capacity drill rigs, supporting higher productivity and the next phase of mine development.
This has been led by models like Epiroc’s electric Pit Viper 231 E (PV231E), which has been replacing older Russian Rudgormash SBSH units like the SBSH-250 MNA 32. The PV231E is an electric-driven rotary blasthole drill for drilling 152-250 mm (6 in – 9 7/8 in) holes with up to 16.1 m (53 ft) capability.
It can be configured in many different ways for a wide range of rotary and DTH drilling operations. Its single-pass capability can improve drilling efficiency by up to 25% when drilling in soft material by eliminating rod change time and allowing for more time for drilling.
With both high- and low-pressure airends to choose from and Epiroc’s Rig Control System (RCS), it also delivers a full range of options to meet current and future needs as well as Epiroc says “providing advanced safety, accuracy, and productivity.”
Being electric, it is also a zero-emission machine, making operations cleaner and more sustainable. With electric power at its core, this machine eliminates the need for traditional fuel, leading to substantial savings in operating cost.
NMMC: “Drilling is the first step in every production cycle, directly influencing blasting efficiency, material movement and the continuity of mining operations. As production volumes continue to grow, expanding drilling capacity becomes essential to maintaining a stable mining schedule across the deposit.”
In 2025, drilling operations at Muruntau reached 3.7 million metres. By the end of the year, this figure is expected to exceed 7.8 million metres, providing the capacity required to support mining activities across the northern, southern and eastern sectors of the open pit while increasing total rock extraction.
The modern drill rigs currently operating at Muruntau are capable of drilling an average of up to 500 metres per day, delivering greater productivity, reliability and operational efficiency. Today, 11 modern Epiroc drill rigs are already in operation at the mine, with additional units scheduled for delivery as part of the Muruntau Open Pit – Phase V, Stage II investment project.
NMMC: “Investing in modern mining equipment is not simply about replacing machinery, it is about building the capability to safely and efficiently sustain large-scale mining operations for decades to come.”
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