The first Caterpillar-branded product from the former German mining equip- ment manufacturer, Bucyrus, line has started operation at a mine in Finland.

Following Cat’s acquisition of the Bucyrus factory in Dortmund, Germany, a Cat E6030 hydraulic mining shovel from the factory was delivered and commissioned at Yara International’s phosphate mine, operated by mining contractor E Hartikainen, located near Siilinjärvi, in Finland.

The 290 t mining shovel, known as an RH120E under the Bucyrus banner, also makes history as the first shovel in that line to go into operation in Finland.

The Cat 6030 is configured as a backhoe and was delivered with several other Cat products, including three 785D mining trucks, a 993K wheel loader and a 16M motor grader.

The Cat 6030 swings a payload of 30 t and is a productive match with the new 785D trucks and the mine’s fleet of Cat 777 trucks, the company reports. The 6030 is powered by two Cat C27 diesel engines, which produce a total of 1 140 kW.

The Yara International mine is currently the only producer of phosphate ore in Western Europe. Besides the mine, the site in Siilinjärvi includes several processing plants to produce fertilisers, phosphoric acids and other industrial chemicals.