Power shovels are used principally for excavation and removal ofoverburden inopen-cut miningoperations, though it may include loading of minerals, such ascoal. They are the modern equivalent ofsteam shovels, and operate in a similar fashion.
he digging phase consists of crowding the dipper into the bank, hoisting the dipper to fill it, then retracting the full dipper from the bank. The swinging phase occurs once the dipper is clear of the bank both vertically and horizontally. The operator controls the dipper through a planned swing path and dump height until it is suitably positioned over the haul unit (e.g. truck). Dumping involves opening the dipper door to dump the load, while maintaining the correct dump height. Returning is when the dipper swings back to the bank, and involves lowering the dipper into the tuck position to close the dipper door.
