Dutch-owned NWR plans to place the systems at its subsidiary OKD, the Czech Republic's largest hard coal mining company, as part of a €300 million capital investment program.

While the LOI is only a preliminary plan to obtain the equipment, Bucyrus - which recently bought underground coal OEM DBT - said the actual purchase and rollout of the equipment would take place over the coming 24 months.

NWR chairman Mike Salamon said the operator's program and LOI signified its commitment to "investing in [our] mining operations to ensure that they are safe, efficient and productive".

Bucyrus president Tim Sullivan said the OEM's underground equipment would support its customer's goal for improved efficiency and increased production and safety.