As part of its 2025 major overhaul programme, Central Iron Ore has completed extensive refurbishment of an EKG-5A shovel operating at the site's crushing plant, investing over four million hryvnias in the machinery repair.

Now reinforced and with increased capacity, the shovel – equipped with a 5-cubic-metre bucket - has returned to service, continuing its regular operations in Central Iron Ore's sand and crushed stone yard. This type of machinery is widely used at Ukrainian mining facilities due to its durability and ability to withstand harsh conditions. However, even such reliable mining machinery occasionally needs rest and technical "rehabilitation".

"The main duty of the 5-cubic-metre bucket shovel is to unload dry magnetic separation tailings in the form of crushed stone or sand. These materials are sent to the storage yard from the classification building after the gangue is separated from the iron-bearing product through dry magnetic separation. They are then transported by dump cars or hopper batchers in cooperation with our company's Railway Department and are used for laying new tracks, filling quarry roads for excavators, and supporting local communities and villages," says Oleksandr IVASHURA, head of the crushing plant at Central Iron Ore.

The repair of the shovel was part of this year’s major overhaul plan for machinery and equipment. Over the course of the three-week repair shutdown, the EKG-5A underwent replacement of its undercarriage, including the ring gear and travel gearboxes with brakes. New idler and drive wheels were also installed. Additionally, the shovel was equipped with three new motors for hoisting, propelling, and crowding. The shovel is now operating at full capacity and meeting targets.