IZ-Kartex, the rope shovel manufacturer and part of Russian mining equipment and steel company, OMZ Group, has together with OJSC Techpartner been awarded a gold medal and 1st degree diploma in: “The best innovative project of the year and the best scientific project of the year” contest in the category of best innovative project in the field of advanced technologies in engineering and metallurgy. The contest, which was launched in 1998 by the Ministry of Science and Technology, was held during the St Petersburg technical fair from 13-15 March 2012. This year the competition received 200 applications, which were evaluated by the Competition Commission and Expert Council.

IZ-Kartex and Techpartner presented their joint project titled: “Development of the single technological complex of self-lubrication of the new EKG-50 mine excavator, produced by IZ-Kartex.” The single self-lubrication system is a new technology aimed at improving productivity and reducing the maintenance costs of mining equipment. The complex provides flow of lubricant in automatic mode to all points of friction in the EKG-50, with the precise amount of lubricant in every friction couple In accordance with lubrication schedule. Thus, the equipment is optimally lubricated and there is no downtime in carrying out maintenance, while overall lubricant consumption is greatly reduced and the availability of the shovel to work increases. The brand-new EKG-50 shovel is the most powerful to have been made in Russia.