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Björn Tisell

COLOMBIA - Energy & Mining

Björn Tisell

General Manager CVCA Region, Epiroc

Bio

Bjorn Tisell has extensive experience in mining and construction, and he has served in various roles at Epiroc in the last 10 years, especially in Latin America. In 2018, he assumed his current position as General Manager for the Epiroc CVCA region covering Colombia, Venezuela, Central America, the Caribbean, Guyana, and Suriname. Previously, he worked as regional manager of the underground division.

Colombian operators have benefited from selecting Epiroc as their preferred choice given its strong track record in quality and reliability when providing technology to its clients in mining.

What are Epiroc’s distinguishing characteristics as a technology provider to the mining and infrastructure sectors?

We take pride in leading the mining and infrastructure industries in becoming more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable. When our customers evaluate suppliers, they strive to improve productivity and lower the total cost of ownership while also improving sustainability performance. Our innovation leadership in areas such as automation, digitalization and electrification in combination with a strong record of accomplishment of quality and reliability is highly valued.

What areas of the mining cycle are at the center of Epiroc’s distribution strategy in the region?

In the coming years, the expected increase in production of commodities such as gold, copper, platinum and nickel is expected to support the demand for Epiroc’s products and services. The increased extraction of ore should increase demand for new equipment as well as for consumables, maintenance, refurbishment and overhaul; collectively known as the mining aftermarket. The aftermarket potential depends on total fleet of equipment in operation as well as on equipment utilizations levels. The equipment is frequently used in harsh environments, which drives the need for maintenance and replacement of parts and consumables. Higher utilizations also drive the need for maintenance and replacement of equipment to safeguard productivity. The aftermarket needs tend to be recurring and relatively stable trough the business cycle, and generally less discretionary than capital expenditure on equipment.

What is the importance of partnerships for Epiroc and what principles guide Epiroc’s role within the regional mining and industry ecosystems?

We collaborate with different stakeholders to accomplish our value chain purpose. In our region, we cover 13 countries, and we have to ensure a close relationship and support. In that direction, in some of these countries we have business partners that have the same service level and customer focus vision. Being a leading global supplier in our niches comes with a responsibility. Because of that, one focus area within sustainability is to live by the highest ethical standards even when it comes to our sales generation. Collaboration and commitment are keys.

What processes and technologies is Epiroc focused on to reduce emissions and energy use?

We are leading the charge toward sustainability in mining through battery electric, zero-emission equipment. Our electrification solutions are well proven globally and contribute to substantial reduction of CO2 emissions, leading to a smaller environmental footprint. Battery- electric vehicles improve workplace health, reduce emissions, and lower ventilation cost and as we provide the full service of battery that eliminates the risk if owning batteries, this is also about circular economy.  We have high ambitious environmental goals to achieve until 2030 that include reduction of 50% of C02 emissions from operations, transport, and well as from customer use of Epiroc equipment.

What impact does Epiroc have in the region through knowledge transfer and through the dissemination of global best practices?

We collaborate with several equipment and service providers, technology companies and universities to drive further innovations in the industry. Examples of collaboration are with Ericsson for 5G technology, Orica for a semi-automated explosives delivery system, ABB for electric drive trains, Northvol for batteries and Saab Combitech. For information management systems. We are also engaged in the projects European Sustainable intelligent mining Systems, (SIMS) and sustainable underground mining (SUM). The SIMS project was a successful EU project within the research and innovation program Horizon2020 to create a long-lasting impact on the way we test and demonstrate new technology and solutions for the mining industry. SUM will be created in LKAB’s underground mines in Kiruna and Malmberget and will also take the form of a virtual mine. Here, new technology will be developed and tested in a real mining environment to ensure that the Swedish mining industry can remain competitive and create jobs and growth, both locally in Norrbotten and nationally. This requires new control systems, new and improved mining equipment, as well as complex and efficient management systems that meet future demands for a sustainable industry. 

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