Co Antrim mining equipment manufacturer Tribe Tech has announced the shipment of its first autonomous drill rig.

The London-listed company, which operates from a factory site in Mallusk, said the completion of the order for Australian firm McKay Drilling represented a major milestone for the business.

McKay is a subsidiary of Major Drilling Group International Inc.

The drill rig, which is due to arrive in Australia at the end of September, will be used for iron ore mining.

Founded in Western Australia in 2019 by Crossgar native Charlie King, Tribe Tech opened its manufacturing base in Co Antrim during September 2021.

The company said its new machine, developed over four years, is the world’s fully autonomous reverse circulation drill rig.

“We are extremely pleased to have accomplished this major milestone of shipment from our factory in Northern Ireland of the first autonomous RC drill rig to Major Drilling’s subsidiary McKay Drilling in Australia,” said Mr King.

“We look forward to the demonstration of the operation of the drill rig in the field and this will be a tremendous platform for expanding our customer partnerships.

“I would like to thank McKay Drilling for the significant support in the development phase of this product and belief in the company to deliver this first innovative drill rig,” added the chief executive.

The announcement comes less than one year after Tribe Tech was admitted to the London Stock Exchange in September 2023.