In what is described as 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 – the BRS21. The contract for the machine was first signed in 2022.
The monumental mining equipment was formally handed over, in the presence of Shri PM 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 also graced by functional directors and senior officials from BEML, CIL, and NCL.
BEML states: “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 tonnes and equipped with a 21 cubic metre 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 PM 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 t 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.
As it is fully electric drive it eliminates exhaust emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals – approximately 189 t of CO₂ are saved per year per machine with the BRS21 rope shovel. It has high durability with a rugged construction, real-time monitoring, and predictive diagnostics ensuring prolonged uptime in extreme mining conditions. Advanced Control Systems include 360-degree vision, fatigue monitoring, predictive maintenance sensors, and a centralised lubrication system. Plus for operator comfort it has a spacious and ergonomically designed cabin with dust-free machinery compartments and high-intensity LED lighting for night operations.
This shovel size is in the same class as the Komatsu P&H 2300XPC, the UZTM-KARTEX EKG-20 or the TYHI WK-20. Traditionally, the market leading rope shovel in India has been the rugged and easy to operate Komatsu P&H 1900AL (10.7 m³ capacity) that has been on the market since 1977 but as production demands increase and truck sizes are increasing beyond the traditional 100 ton class there is now a real demand for larger shovels.
BEML concluded: “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.”
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