Luck Stone deployed Epiroc’s first fully autonomous SmartROC D65 drill rig in the U.S.
According to Epiroc, the deployment at Luck Stone marks the first fully autonomous surface drill delivered to the quarry market in the world.
“Our philosophy has always been about doing the work in the best possible way,” says Chuck Stilson, senior director of engineering at Luck Stone. “Partnering with Epiroc on autonomous drilling aligns perfectly with that vision. We’re not only improving productivity and safety, we’re providing new opportunities for our associates and rethinking what’s possible in aggregates.”
Luck Stone’s SmartROC D65 MKII is equipped with Epiroc’s advanced automation technology. The rig can execute complete drill patterns without an operator in the cab.
Epiroc says the rig is compliant with the Global Mining Guidelines Group Level 4 standard for full autonomy. The rig operates under remote supervision via Epiroc’s common automation panel and link open autonomy platform, enabling seamless data integration and fleet management.
“Luck Stone’s leadership and commitment demonstrate that autonomy in quarries isn’t future vision – it’s current reality,” says Ron Hankins, business line manager at Epiroc USA. “Our partnership is not about a proof of concept. It’s about meaningful operational gains that the next generation of drilling will bring in the U.S.”
James River Equipment, an Epiroc dealer, played a role in facilitating delivery of the SmartROC D65 MKII. Epiroc says James River will be instrumental in providing the local service, training and technical support that are essential to ensuring the project’s long-term success.
Both Luck Stone and Epiroc intend to share performance data following the implementation period, offering insights for the broader industry while paving the way for future advancements.
The venture here is not Luck Stone’s first in autonomy. The company partnered with Caterpillar in 2023 on an autonomous hauling project. At midsummer, Luck Stone reported that it had hauled 1 million tons of aggregates autonomously at its Bull Run Plant in Chantilly, Virginia.
“This milestone is a powerful demonstration of what’s possible when we collaborate with our customers to deliver solutions for their critical needs,” says Denise Johnson, group president of Resource Industries at Caterpillar. “Reaching 1 million tons hauled autonomously at Bull Run shows that autonomy isn’t just for mining – it’s scalable, reliable and ready to transform the aggregates industry. We’re proud to collaborate with Luck Stone to lead that transformation.”
