In a major leap for India's
mining sector and a powerful stride towards the Government’s Aatmanirbhar
Bharat mission, BEML Ltd has launched the country’s biggest indigenously
designed and developed electric rope shovel — BRS21. The monumental mining
equipment was formally handed over, in the esteemed presence of Shri P. M.
Prasad, Chairman and Managing Director of Coal India Ltd, by Shri Shantanu Roy,
Chairman and Managing Director of BEML, to Shri B. Sairam, Chairman and
Managing Director of Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL), at Nigahi Mines, Singrauli.
The occasion was graced by Functional Directors and senior officials from BEML,
CIL, and NCL.
The BRS21 Rope Shovel is a
technological marvel, wholly designed, engineered, and manufactured in India.
This electric giant marks a historic shift in large-scale surface mining by
offering an eco-friendly, zero-emission solution to overburden removal
operations in opencast mines. Weighing an impressive 720 tons and equipped with
a 21 Cubic meters bottom dump bucket, the BRS21 stands as one of the most
capable and advanced machines in its class.
Shri Shantanu Roy, CMD of BEML, remarked: “This moment marks a proud milestone
for the nation as we advance the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar
Bharat. The successful development of this colossal mining equipment by BEML in
just 24 months speaks volumes of our engineering strength and collective
resolve. It’s not just a triumph for BEML but a defining moment for India’s
coal sector, ushering in a new era of sustainable and self-reliant mining solutions.
I am deeply grateful to Coal India and NCL for their unwavering confidence in
us and for enabling us to deliver this breakthrough for the country.”
Shri
P.M. Prasad, CMD, CIL, also expressed his appreciation, stating: “The
launch of the BRS21 is a moment of immense pride for India's mining sector and
a significant step towards environmentally sustainable mining practices. With
this remarkable achievement, we are opening a new chapter in green mining. For
years, we have witnessed massive mining equipment being built overseas — today,
thanks to BEML’s unwavering commitment and excellence, India stands tall with
its own indigenously designed and manufactured rope shovel. We extend our
heartfelt appreciation to BEML for making this vision a reality.”
The BRS21 is a
high-capacity, electric rope shovel purpose-built for large-scale overburden
removal in open cast mining operations. With an operating weight of 720 tonnes
and a 21 cubic metre bottom dump bucket, it ranks among the most capable
shovels globally. It is driven by a Siemens IGBT-based AC Drive System and
incorporates numerous advanced features for enhanced performance, safety, and
sustainability.
Key
Highlights:
• Zero Emission Operation: Fully electric drive eliminates exhaust
emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals.
• Approximately 189 tons
CO₂ saved per year per machine for BRS21 Rope shovel.
• High Durability: Rugged construction, real-time monitoring, and
predictive diagnostics ensure prolonged uptime in extreme mining conditions.
• Advanced Control Systems: Includes 360-degree vision, fatigue
monitoring, predictive maintenance sensors, and a centralized lubrication
system.
• Operator Comfort: Spacious and ergonomically designed cabin with
dust-free machinery compartments and high-intensity LED lighting for night
operations.
This milestone reflects
BEML’s deep-rooted engineering capabilities across mechanical, electrical, and
control system domains. The BRS21 is not only a technological marvel but also a
strategic asset that significantly reduces India’s reliance on foreign OEMs for
critical mining infrastructure.
