Mine Cable Satellites Built for Real-World Mining Conditions
Oilsands Shovel Products’ (OSSP) Mine Shovel Safety Satellites, also called cable satellite balls, are a game-changer for electric shovel mining fleets. Built to perform and uphold under the toughest conditions, these cable protection devices are tested across global surface mining operations and designed to stand the test of time.
The harsh reality of mining operations and surface mining environments requires equipment that lasts. OSSP’s Mine Shovel Safety Satellites are crafted by skilled Interprovincial Journeymen, and engineered for electric shovel operator independence and extended cable life with features such as:
- 100% cable coverage in bright yellow rubber hose with reflective striping
- Consistent circular shape for convenient bucket-teeth alignment
- Full “fish mouth” pipe cope to eliminate flex and dramatically improve strength
- Angled-pipe connections to distribute lifting stress evenly
- “Full-control crimp” to ensure a rigid, reliable form
At 200lbs and 58” in diameter, the OSSP Mine Shovel Safety Satellites are created on a unique assembly line to maintain consistent size and shape. This robust construction dramatically extends the service life of trailing power cables, which are often cited as some of the most vulnerable components in surface mining operations with a variety of ways in which they can fail; with these cable satellite balls, multiple of these factors are greatly reduced through improved visibility and the enabling of safe trailing cable relocation.
Operator-Controlled Efficiency
One of the key safety advantages of the Mine Shovel Safety Satellite is that it empowers electric shovel operators to reposition trailing power cables themselves using the shovel bucket, without leaving the cab. Our specially designed cable satellite ball is highly visible, with it’s bright yellow rubber coating and reflective safety stripes; this allows for operator-driven trailing cable control by hooking the Mine Shovel Safety Satellite with the electric shovel bucket teeth to relocate it.
This eliminates the need for manual cable handling by ground crews, reducing exposure to the risk of electrical shock, injury from moving machinery, and unstable footing. This operator-driven method not only aligns with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.333, which stresses minimizing employee exposure to live electrical parts, but also reduces the risk of internal or external damage to the trailing cable itself, which can occur anywhere on the trailing cable system in a variety of ways.
Mine Shovel Safety Satellites: Proven Performance Worldwide
While Oilsands Shovel Products is proudly based in Alberta since 2009 (and is the only mining equipment fabrication company in Fort McMurray that ships globally), our Mine Shovel Safety Satellites are trusted by surface mining operations across the globe. From our own region in Fort McMurray to Labrador, and from surface mining operations from Africa to Peru, our products have supported safe surface mining operations and electric shovel fleets around the world.
These diverse locations present different challenges, whether it’s extreme heat, heavy rainfall, or abrasive soils, yet the Mining Shovel Safety Satellite’s performance remains consistent.
One of our units was tested by Suncor Energy, where it outperformed all other cable ball satellite models trialed over the past decade, maintaining its shape and integrity for over 11 months in the field. To quote a mining supervisor at Suncor Energy, “This is the best product that Suncor has had in the ten to twelve years of using these products.”
Durability Means Lower Total Costs
Cable failures and the cost of replacing damaged trailing cables aren’t just an expensive maintenance issue; they’re a strategic liability.
Oilsands Shovel Products’ Mine Shovel Safety Satellites prolong electric shovel cable life, reducing trailing cable replacement frequency. With fewer breakdowns, surface mining operations stay online longer; for mining operations running 24/7 in demanding environments, this reliability translates directly to higher uptime and a stronger bottom line.
More Than Just Cable Protection: A Safety Culture Upgrade
Beyond electric shovel trailing cable protection and efficiency, these mine cable satellites contribute to:
- A stronger safety culture: Visible, reliable trailing cable systems increase electric shovel operator confidence and reduce field hazards.
- Regulatory alignment: By keeping shovel operators in the cab of their excavator and ground personnel at a safe distance from heavy equipment, OSSP’s Mine Shovel Safety Satellites support compliance with electrical safety guidelines and OSHA standards.
- Cleaner, more efficient operations: With fewer damaged trailing cables, there’s less downtime, less waste, and a healthier environment to maintain daily operations.
The OSSP Mine Shovel Safety Satellite isn’t just a trailing cable relocation tool; it’s a proven, field-tested solution that keeps your equipment, operators, and productivity running strong. Whether you’re battling the elements in the oil sands or high heat and dust conditions in southern hemisphere mines, these satellites deliver unmatched durability and consistent performance, keeping downtime low and productivity high.
With over three decades of hands-on experience in welding, fabrication, and heavy equipment operations, OSSP understands what mining equipment really needs to survive in the field. That’s why every one of our products, from our flagship Mine Shovel Safety Satellites to our Haul Truck Spotters, is designed with safety, reliability, and ease of use in mind. Engineered specifically for today’s electric shovel mining fleets, these solutions help operations extend cable life, reduce maintenance costs, and meet the strict safety demands of modern mining.
When you are ready to protect your cables, improve operator safety, and keep your fleet running at full capacity, OSSP delivers mining equipment solutions that have earned the trust of operators worldwide.