The GE AC solution can be retrofitted to existing draglines, shovels and blast-hole drills.

GE senior product manager for motors Nimesh Sharan said miners were migrating to AC systems in general.

“AC excavator systems are more efficient and, because they utilise fewer mechanical parts, AC systems tend to require less personal care and maintenance.”

GE senior marketing manager for motors Justin Forbes said GE had an end-to-end solution for miners that included up-front application engineering, rugged field-tested equipment and field engineering support for installations.