BEML Unveils India's Biggest Homegrown Electric Rope Shovel for Greener Mining

BEML Limited, a major public sector company under India’s Ministry of Defence, has launched the country’s largest locally designed and built electric rope shovel, named the BRS21. This massive 720-tonne, eco-friendly machine, with a 21-cubic-meter bucket, was delivered to Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) at Nigahi Mines in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. The event saw BEML’s Chairman, Shantanu Roy, and NCL’s Chairman, B Sairam, celebrating this leap forward for Indian mining.

Built from scratch in India in just two years, the BRS21 is designed to tackle massive earth-moving jobs in open-pit mines. It’s a shining example of India’s drive to stand on its own through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. "This is a defining moment for India's coal sector, ushering in a new era of sustainable and self-reliant mining,” Roy said, clearly thrilled.

BRS21 runs entirely on electricity, meaning zero carbon emissions. Plus, it’s packed with smart tech like advanced AC drives, systems that predict when maintenance is needed, and remote monitoring for smooth, safe operation. It’s ready to go head-to-head with global giants like the Komatsu P&H 2300XPC, showing the world India can build top-tier heavy equipment.

The handover, joined by Coal India’s CMD, PM Prasad, showed how BEML and Coal India are teaming up to meet the growing demand for bigger, better machines. As India phases out older, smaller 10-cubic-meter shovels, the BRS21 will help mines work faster and smarter while cutting down on expensive imports, saving the country valuable foreign currency. This launch isn’t just about mining, it’s about India embracing green tech and proving it can build what it needs at home.

The BRS21 puts India on the map as a serious player in global mining tech, blending innovation with sustainability.