MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN -- June 2006 -- P&H Mining Equipment announces its newest lines of electric mining shovels and rotary blasthole drills, known collectively as the C-Series. The shovel line comprises five models: the 4100XPC, 4100C BOSS, 4100C, 2800XPC and 2300XPC. The C-Series drills, the 300XPC and 320XPC, replace the 100XP and the 120A, respectively. P&H also offers the 250XP, a diesel-powered drill, which stands apart from the C-Series.

P&H heralds the C-Series as delivering substantial improvements in three key areas: control, comfort and consistency. Mark Hardwick, Senior Vice President and Managing Director - North America, said, "Foremost among the features that unite the shovel and drill lines, especially in terms of control and consistency, is the P&H Centurion™ Control System."

Control
The P&H Centurion Control System is the platform for P&H technology-enabled products that lower its customers' cost per ton. Centurion's benefits include greater productivity, inherent safety, advanced diagnostics, and simplified maintenance. "Centurion is having a tremendous impact on providing increased shovel productivity and reliability for our customers," Mr. Hardwick explained. "Centurion also provides the infrastructure and scalability needed to integrate advanced technologies, including semi-autonomous control systems, well into the future."

With the P&H Centurion Control System incorporated into C-Series shovels and drills, P&H is using an evolutionary approach to develop, test, and provide additional technology-enabled products to its customers.

P&H has already introduced a variety of advanced shovel technologies. Its OptiDig II balances hoist and crowd forces to optimize fill factors and cycle times. ShoveLink™ connects P&H shovels through existing communications systems, to transmit shovel-operating information to the mine office or to any location around the world for viewing or downloading. Rapid Propel Transfer cuts transfer time between dig and propel modes by more than 50%. Payload™ and Payload™ Plus are highly accurate dipper payload weighing systems that provide real time feedback to the operator insuring properly and fully loaded trucks.

Similar developments will now be achievable for P&H drills. As with OptiDig II on the shovel line, Centurion provides C-Series drills with the controls needed to monitor and automatically optimize rotary and pull down forces, and air pressure. It also provides C-Series drills with a platform for advanced autodrill capabilities, communications, diagnostics and other smart technologies critical to drilling operations.

Centurion's enhanced solid state Graphical User Interface, or GUI, utilizes a touch screen that can provide quick, easy, system-aided troubleshooting, downloads, and unlimited information about any and all systems on the shovel or drill. The GUI communication protocol is based on the widely accepted OPC industry standard, which makes it compatible with virtually all communication systems within the mine.

Comfort
C-Series shovels and drills feature newly designed cabs with improved visibility, numerous operator comfort enhancements, improved ergonomics, and efficient location of controls and instrumentation all designed to improve operator productivity. Revised deck layouts provide easier entry and egress to and from the operator's control station, and more open space in the cab and machinery house for ease of maintenance.

The shovels' cab features a recessed Loading Control Center with a fully adjustable seat. Lumbar support, heat and massage control, a footrest, and ergonomically designed joysticks in the armrests enhance operating comfort throughout long operating shifts.

The drills' cab includes a new control console with ample knee room below. A deeper front window provides easy viewing of the deck and rotary in the seated position, while improved sight lines and ground-level lighting contribute to greater safety and productivity in night operations. The air conditioner has been relocated from the roof to the deck, reducing cab noise and vibration, and providing ready access and greater safety for maintenance.

On all C-Series machines, P&H Centurion allows virtually the entire electrical system to operate on 24-volts, increasing safety for electrical maintenance technicians.

Consistency
Use of the Centurion system on both the shovel and drill product lines provide greater consistency and reliability in machine operation, maintenance and parts interchangeability. Superior monitoring and diagnostics capabilities also translate into improved machine health, reliability and predictability.

P&H is also leveraging this consistency with its service support. The common P&H Centurion Control System platform allows P&H increased flexibility and responsiveness in providing regional service experience on its shovels and drills.

C-Series machines are now in production, and will be operational in 2006. For more information, please contact your local P&H MinePro Services representative.

P&H Mining Equipment is a world-leading supplier of electric rope shovels, large rotary blasthole drills, and walking draglines, with global life cycle management support through its distribution arm, P&H MinePro Services. MinePro Services also represents and supports over thirty leading lines of equipment and services globally as a strong partner for the mining industry.