OREANDA-NEWS. On 10 June 2009 OMZ (Uralmash-Izhora Group) (RTS: OMZZ; LSE: OMZD; OTC: UHMVY), a leading heavy machinery company with assets located in Russia and the Czech Republic, announced that its EKG-1500R shovel prototype manufactured for Kuzbassrazrezugol OJSC has successfully passed acceptance testing conducted at Taldinsky open cut mine in Kuzbass. The shovel prototype was produced by IZ-KARTEX, a part of OMZ Group.

The shovel is the first of a new model range developed by IZ-KARTEX. Its weight is 6750 tons; its bucket capacity is 18 cubic meters. The superior technical level of the new shovel, its safety, reliability, durability and cost effectiveness are supported by the latest technical solutions in all production stages from development of design documentation to implementation of assembly work.

The acceptance testing was conducted within six months in accordance with the program and method approved by the customer. All parameters of the prototype shovel correspond with the requirements of the technical specification.

The shovel demonstrated a high level of reliability; its monthly productivity reached over 400,000 cubic meters of ore. This exceeds its design parameters.

Working conditions for the crew are significantly improved. The cabin has an information diagnostics system which provides automated accounting of extracted ore, production time, power consumption, and also diagnostics of electrical and mechanical equipment. Ergonomics of the cabin (chair design, observability, regulation of cabin temperature, etc.) correspond with the latest requirements in industrial health and safety.

Sergei Paramonov, Technical Director, Kuzbassrazrezugol OJSC, chairman of the acceptance commission, confirmed that the shovel passed testing successfully. The commission recommended EKG-1500R shovel for commercial production.