COMMERCE CITY, CO — Epiroc, a productivity partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, has donated a FlexiROC T20 R drill rig and consumables to the mining engineering program at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. The FlexiROC T20 R replaces outdated equipment at the school’s nationally recognized Experimental Mine, where students gain valuable hands-on experience with real equipment and mining practices.

The Missouri S&T mining engineering program provides a broad engineering education with expertise in mining engineering and a cultural foundation for the mining industry. At the Experimental Mine facility, students get first-hand experience in surface and underground methods, blasting, ground control, ventilation, pyrotechnic displays and research in air blast and ground vibrations.

Epiroc’s FlexiROC T20 R has joined the fleet of equipment used for practical hands-on experience at the Experimental Mine. The donation was facilitated by Chris Upp, Vice President and General Manager at longtime Epiroc customer Conco Companies and a member of the development board for the Missouri S&T mining and explosives engineering programs.

The university recently approached Upp, an alumnus of Missouri S&T, about the need to upgrade the old air track drill at the Experimental Mine. Upp relayed the need to Jerry Enyeart, Epiroc Midwest Region District Manager. Epiroc was able to help, delivering the T20 R and consumables with the assistance of supporting Epiroc dealer Roland Machinery.

The compact and versatile FlexiROC T20 R drill rig is an ideal fit for the Experimental Mine site, where vertical and horizontal drilling needs vary depending on the surface or underground application. The consumables utilized with the T20 R differ from those used with the outgoing air track drill, so Epiroc provided some of its rock drilling tool technology to get the university off to a productive start with the new rig.

Roland Machinery sent a technician to the Experimental Mine to ensure that the FlexiROC T20 R startup and training went smoothly. Moving forward, the dealer will provide the university with parts and technical support for the drill.

A producer of construction aggregates and ready-mixed concrete in the Ozarks region, Conco Companies has been a customer of Epiroc and predecessor of Atlas Copco for more than 20 years. Upp was excited to be able to connect his alma mater with his trusted equipment partner.

“I have great appreciation for Epiroc and the folks that made this happen because it means a lot to the university,” Upp said. “We’ve been very impressed with the performance of our Epiroc machines and the support we get through our dealer. Epiroc did a great job of following through on this donation, and it’s going to be an excellent tool for the university.”