OREANDA-NEWS On 06 October was announced, that Metinvest’s SevGOK commissioned a hydraulic excavator (bucket capacity 14.8 m3).

This is the first hydraulic excavator at Severniy GOK for its history. The excavator has been procured within the framework of the strategic program aimed at improving performance efficiency of Metinvest’s mining enterprises. Priceof the excavatoris USD 5.75 mln.

According to the enterprise specialists, HITACHI ЕХ 3600hydraulic excavator (Japan) can reload around240 thous. m3 of rock mass per month, which is 40% higher vs. productivity of conventional excavators currently operated at Severniy GOK.

Commissioning of the second similar hydraulic HITACHI excavator is planned by the end of 2009.

"In these challenging times, we are doing our best in order not to lose the momentum and continue modernization of the enterprises in accordance with the strategic program. We are confident that results will not be long in coming. The new modern high-tech mining machinery will improve performance of Pervomayskiy Open-Pit-Mine", ? said Alexander Vilkul, the honorary President of Severniy GOK.