While there have been many EX8000s delivered globally, Stanwell’s EX8000-6BH is the world’s first Hitachi EX8000 with a backhoe configuration.

The excavator is the largest in the company’s fleet. It weighs more than 800 tonnes and has a 45 cubic metre bucket that can move 75t of dirt per bucket load.

“The excavator will support the Tarong power station in becoming more competitive in the National Electricity Market by reducing the cost of coal from Meandu mine,” Meandu mining operations manager Andrew Walker said.

As part of a competition held by Stanwell, the excavator has been dubbed Atlas, after the mythological Greek Titan who carried the earth.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia managing director David Harvey said the EX8000 was “assembled in record time and more importantly put together safely without incident by Stanwell, Downer EDI and our employees”

The excavator was transported from Brisbane, Queensland to the Meandu mine on the 28 semi-trailers.

The three cranes involved in the assembly operation were 220t, 100t and 80t.