Atlas Copco increases rock drilling production

Atlas Copco is investing SEK 450 million (US$ 65 million) to expand production capacity for rock drilling tools in its Swedish operation.

Demand from the mining and construction industries has increased and the company said it would invest in modern machine technology in order to boost capacity at the Swedish plant.

Atlas Copco's plant in Fagersta manufactures rock drilling tools to supply complete drill strings for the global mining and construction markets.

Björn Rosengren, business area president at Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Technique said the investment in state-of-the-art equipment "will increase output and reduce lead times significantly".

The company said work on the investment would start immediately and the effects are expected to be realised gradually in 2012 and more fully from 2013.