IZ-KARTEX completes acceptance testing of a new power shovel

OAO UK Kuzbassrazrezugol has completed acceptance tests of the EKG-18R power shovel at Taldynskiy coal mine. The equipment was manufactured by OOO IZ-KARTEX, a part of OMZ Group.

The power shovel is designed to excavate and load rocks during open mining.

EKG-18R is the first series-built power shovel in the second group of the new line of equipment manufactured within the framework of an integrated product range renewal program involving deep modernization and upgrade and financed by Gazprombank, the Group’s strategic partner. Key competitive advantages of the new shovels include optimal matching with the mining transport equipment and 80% unification; the shovels can be equipped with rack-and-pinion or rope gear, and the working elements (the scoop and arm) can be swapped at will.

The first EKG-18R has weight of 710 tons, height of 21 m and scoop volume of 20 m3. The new Izhora-built power shovels are on par with foreign counterparts. They are designed using modern 3D modeling software, allowing to significantly reduce the manufacturing time, increase reliability and minimize the weight of components and the equipment as a whole.

According to the contract, in 2011 OAO UK Kuzbassrazrezugol will receive two more EKG-18R and one EKG-32R power shovels manufactured by OOO IZ-KARTEX. Assembly of the second EKG-18R is being conducted at Taldynskiy coal mine according to schedule. It is planned to be delivered in May 2011.

EKG-32R rack-and-pinion gear power shovel with 32 m3 scoop and 950 tons weight will be the most powerful excavator of its type ever produced in USSR or Russia.

Successful development of the new product range will allow IZ-KARTEX to strengthen its positions on the mining equipment market and position itself among the top three largest international manufacturers of power shovels. Izhora-built equipment is operated at all large mines in Russia and CIS, as well as at a number of foreign operations.

OMZ Group is one of the leading heavy industry companies specializing in engineering, production, sales and service support of equipment for nuclear, oil and gas, mining industries, as well as special steel production and industrial services. OMZ Group’s facilities are located in Russia and Czech Republic. The Group is controlled by Gazprombank.