General Electric Company : GE Energy Helps Mining Operators Move More Earth for Less Cost

New Excavator Solution Offers Heavy Equipment OEMs and Mine Operators More Reliability and Availability

ATLANTA, Ga.- Feb. 6, 2012-Surface mine operators are finding it harder to deliver the same amount of minerals in the same time with existing technologies. The ore being uncovered has lower concentrations of minerals as existing sites become more mature. As a result, mining companies are increasingly under pressure to find more energy efficient and reliable solutions.

GE Energy (NYSE: GE) is introducing a new alternating current (AC) excavator solution which consists of drives, controls and motors designed specifically for challenging surface mine applications and environments. GE has a long history of designing, installing and maintaining direct current excavator systems across the globe.

"Mining owners and operators are migrating to AC systems in general," said Nimesh Sharan, GE's senior product manager for motors. "AC excavator systems are more energy efficient, and because they utilize less mechanical parts, AC systems tend to require less personal care and maintenance."

The AC Excavator Solution is a complete electrical drive solution comprised of a family of AC motors, drives, controls, engineering and field services. Heavy equipment original equipment manufacturers and earth-moving equipment owners can apply this solution in their draglines, shovels and blast-hole drills. Mining operators look to uptime and cycle time as two measurements that provide the most meaningful indication of lower cost per material ton moved ($/MTM). GE AC excavator solutions, based on an advanced AC drive, control and motor system technology, will help deliver the reliability and productivity necessary to help mining operators meet their goals.

"Our solution offering is truly unique in the industry," said Justin Forbes, GE's senior marketing manager for motors. "GE's end-to-end solution includes up-front application engineering, rugged, field-tested equipment and field engineering support for installations."

Understanding the challenges of mining deeper and in more remote locations brought about by increased demand for minerals, GE Energy created GE Mining Solutions to collaboratively develop with clients the technologies needed to continue their success. GE Mining Solutions is part of GE Global Industries, GE Energy's new cross-business that takes the best technologies from across GE Energy's diverse portfolio and interconnects them to increase efficiency and results for customers in critical business sectors such as food and beverage, metals, mining, petrochemicals and unconventional fuels.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy-GE Power & Water, GE Energy Management and GE Oil & Gas-work together with more than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels andnew grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.

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