OREANDA-NEWS. A bespoke EKG-20KM excavator with a 20 cubic metre bucket manufactured by Izhorskiye Zavody has come into trial operation at Lebedinsky GOK as part of Metalloinvest's programme to develop mining and transport operations. The excavator is an experimental model.

The tests at Lebedinsky GOK will allow the Company to evaluate the viability of using this kind of mining equipment in the specific conditions of the enterprise's open-pit mine.

Metalloinvest's programme to develop mining and transport operations is aimed at increasing production efficiency by using highly efficient machinery. Previously, the maximum excavator bucket capacity utilised at Lebedinsky GOK was 10m3; this year, a highly efficient Hitachi excavator with a 23m3 bucket and the EKG-15M excavator with a 15m3 bucket have come into operation.

Oleg Mikhailov, Managing Director of Lebedinsky GOK, commented: "The shift to more productive equipment for mining and transport operations is envisaged by our strategic plans. Last year, we began to use heavy-duty dump trucks in the open-pit mine that are capable of moving approximately 50 per cent more rock mass than trucks used before. Now it is time for the next step- creation of unified heavy-duty excavator operations capable of maximum efficiency by using powerful excavating machinery. The ongoing introduction of the highly efficient equipment, along with the implementation of other measures to improve operations, allows us to gradually cut production costs and increase operational efficiency."

The advantages of the new excavator go beyond its 20m3 bucket: notably, they include the automation of work, as well as better conditions for the machine operator. The excavator is equipped with air conditioning, a microwave oven, a wash basin and a bio-toilet.