330-Ton Electric Excavator Cuts Costs at Bulgarian Mine

A copper mine in Bulgaria is proving that bigger isn't just better when it comes to electric power. It's cheaper too.

Assarel-Medet just put a 300-tonne electric excavator to work at their Assarel mine in Pazardzhik province. The massive R 9350 E from German manufacturer Liebherr is already delivering efficiency gains that diesel simply can't match.

The new machine packs a 1,600 horsepower electric motor that runs vibration-free while swinging a 17 cubic meter bucket. That's enough power to move mountains of copper ore without the maintenance headaches and fuel costs of its diesel predecessor.

What convinced the mining company to make the switch wasn't environmental pressure. It was the bottom line. The electric version promises superior performance and durability while significantly reducing both maintenance and operating costs.

"This 300-tonne machine is a symbol of not only technical excellence but also of the long-standing cooperation between Liebherr and Assarel-Medet," says Raphael Goeppel, the company's general manager for earthmoving and mining equipment.

The excavator connects directly to grid power, eliminating the need for large battery packs and constant refueling stops. Each machine is custom-built for its specific worksite, meaning the specifications vary based on local needs and infrastructure.

The Ripple Effect

Assarel-Medet's commitment to electric equipment goes far beyond one excavator. Their Liebherr fleet has grown to 28 machines, including multiple electric excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, and specialized tracked equipment.

The shift happening in Bulgaria's mining industry mirrors a broader trend across commercial fleets worldwide. When electric equipment proves both better performing and more cost-effective than diesel, business decisions become easy regardless of environmental politics.

Mining operations that once dismissed electric power as impractical are now discovering it offers genuine competitive advantages. Lower fuel costs, reduced downtime for maintenance, and smoother operation all add up to healthier profit margins.

As more industries discover that sustainability and profitability can work hand in hand, the transition away from fossil fuels gains momentum not through regulation, but through simple business sense.