HCM supplied EX5600E-6LD (Face Shovel) machines last year to Marcobre, which is developing Mina Justa, a US$1.6bn greenfield copper project in Peru's Ica Province.

The Japanese equipment maker said that EX5600E-6LDs make an important contribution to the company's green credentials, as the electrically driven hydraulic shovels use no fuel - previous models relied on twin Cummins QSKTA50-CE diesel engines.     

"While environmental concerns were always important, they have become even more prominent for businesses and the general public after the COVID-19 crisis started," said Piet Van Bakergem, GM, Hitachi Construction Machinery Middle East.

The company's Ultra-Large class EX5600E-6LD electric excavator has an operating weight of over 533,000kg. The excavator can be supplied with a 34 cubic metre heavy duty Jaws bucket and uses an 860kW fully electric twin engine.

HCM offers a range of eco-friendly machines in the small equipment category as well as  in some of the biggest mining equipment segments.

The copper project, which is targeted to start operations next year, is expected to process 12 million tonnes of oxide ore and 6Mt of sulphide ore a year to produce up to 102,000t/yr of copper concentrates and 58,000t/yr of copper cathode, over 16 years of mine life.